Booklet Review by Jack Falt
The four dimensions create four quadrants that are each important to the success of the organization: The Macro-Task (NT) is called Strategic Vision. This is the organization=s ability to define its purpose and to have the plans to carry it out. The Micro-Task (ST) is called Resource Management. This focuses on the product and services, and the specific details to create and provide them. The Micro-People (SF) is called Customer Service and this looks at where people come into contact with the organization. The fourth quadrant is Macro-People (NF) called Membership Potential. It looks at individuals and the total membership and how each can contribute to the organization.
If a company only focuses on one of these quadrants, it is likely to be out of balance and will soon flounder. The next step is to go through the various combinations to see how each pair of quadrants relates to the success of a company. Since there are four quadrants, there are six possible combinations (thus the Asix things that challenge@). These are described in detail with anecdotes to show how they apply in actual situations.
The Aseven that bring success@ is putting all this information together to analyse the situation to provide a direction that must be taken to bring about change or to keep the company healthy.
I would see this book as one that could be used effectively with organizations in that it uses familiar terms without the added confusion of Jung/Myers jargon. It's attractive, inexpensive and yet short enough that it has more chance of being read by busy managers and CEOs. It would be very useful for consultants to have as a handout. Not being a consultant, I would assume that usually they are called in for only a short while to help solve a practical problem, and then they have to move on. This book outlines a useful structure to follow to help diagnose the problem and to help the organization come up with a solution.