Edward Hess on Smart Growth

Edward Hess discusses his new book Smart Growth: Building an Enduring Business by Managing the Risks of Growth.

For more on the book, you can also read an interview in which Hess challenges conventional thinking regarding growth and business. From the interview:

Q: What are some of the key lessons from your research?

E.H.: Some findings are (1) “Grow or die” is not based in science or business reality; (2) consistent above-average growth for five years or more is the exception not the rule; (3) growth creates risks that need to be managed because it can stress culture, customer value proposition – the business’s differentiating value delivered to the customer, – quality controls, and employees; (4) growth is much more than just a strategy. Growth is a mindset; an experimental learning process; and growth requires an internal enabling growth system.