Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM MARCH 2014 14 B O O K R E V I E W W hen businesses, families, or individuals decline to be accountable for their actions and decisions, the results can be devastating. Businesses can fail, relationships falter, and reputations shatter. Culture Without Accountability-WTF? What's The Fix? is full of real life stories of what accountability looks like, and what can go wrong in its absence. This very readable book provides useful information for anyone, or any business, looking to create a culture of accountability. It begins with a practical definition of accountability - "a personal willingness, after the fact, to answer for the results of your behaviors and actions" - and goes on to describe the benefits to be gained from installing accountability as a foundation for success. The authors, Julie Miller and Brian Bedford, share stories of what happens when individuals behave without accountability, illustrate the lasting damage and cost that this causes, and contrast that with what happens when people do behave with accountability, and the benefits that accrue, both personally and organizationally. Miller and Bedford introduce their own four-step process, which although related to accountability here, can be used to install a supportive culture of any description, and make sure that it "sticks" for the long haul. They make the point that, like anything truly worthwhile, the establishment of a culture takes time, effort and persistence, and emphasize that people or organizations not prepared to do that shouldn't even set out on the journey. The four steps are clearly defined and easy to follow, and are supported by an invaluable section on feedback, which the authors declare as vital to accountability. After all, if you don't set clear expectations, and you're not prepared to give feedback on how people perform against those expectations, your accountability initiative is doomed! Finally, the book closes by giving readers a clear picture of accountability in action, taken from a highly successful sports franchise, so they can picture what Miller Bedford's four-step process looks like in an accountable organization. This book was written with business leaders in mind. However, anyone who would like to instill more accountability could benefit from reading this book - parents, teachers, sports or organization team leaders - this book is for you. Miller and Bedford understand that in our 24-7 world, everyone is under time constraints, and this is especially true of executives. That's why they made sure that this book is a quick read - just right for a plane ride. More importantly, it provides a straightforward process for reinstating accountability in your business, and the authors hope, in the world around us. CULTURE WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY - WTF? What's the Fix? Authors: Julie Miller and Brian Bedford are coauthors of Culture Without Accountability— WTF: What's the Fix?. In 2001, drawing on their respective years of experience in senior global leadership at Motorola, Julie Miller and Brian Bedford joined forces to establish MillerBedford Executive Solutions. MillerBedford helps businesses and organizations improve strategy, culture, and leadership, while addressing issues that limit success. And their clients actually have fun in the process! For more information, please visit www.millerbedford.com. Publisher: Criffel Publishing RO

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