Overview

"This work provides an understanding of the amazing force that links some of today's most successful companies. If you cut off a spider's leg, it's crippled; if you cut off it's head, it dies. But if you cut off a starfish's leg it grows a new one, and the old leg can grow into an entirely new starfish. Some organisations are just as decentralised as starfish, with no control centre or grand strategy. Think of craigslist and the original Napster, run totally by their own customers. Or Alcoholics Anonymous, which has thrived for decades as a loose network of small groups. Or even al Qaeda, which is so hard to destroy because its cells function independently. ""The Starfish and the Spider"", based on groundbreaking research into decentralised organisations, proves that this type of leadership is primed to change the world. Major companies like eBay, IBM, Sun, and GE are starting to decentralise, with great results. Decentralisation isn't easy for people who are used to the classic chain of commence organisation. But as readers will learn through this book's fascinating stories - ranging from the music business to geopolitics - it can be a very dangerous trend to ignore."

Full Product Details

9781591841432

Table of Contents

Reviews

The Starfish and the Spider is a compelling and important book. --Pierre Omidyar, CEO, Omidyar Network and Founder and Chairman, eBay Inc. The Starfish and the Spider , like Blink , The Tipping Point , and The Wisdom of Crowds before it, showed me a provocative new way to look at the world and at business. It's also fun to read! --Robin Wolaner, founder, Parenting Magazine and author, Naked in the Boardroom A fantastic read. Constantly weaving stories and connections. You'll never see the world the same way again. --Nicholas J. Nicholas Jr., former Co-CEO, Time Warner A must-read. Starfish are changing the face of business and society. This page-turner is provocative and compelling. --David Martin, CEO, Young Presidents' Organization The Starfish and the Spider provides a powerful prism for understanding the patterns and potential of self-organizing systems. --Steve Jurvetson, Partner, Draper Fisher Jurvetson The Starfish and the Spider lifts the lid on a massive revolution in the making, a revolution certain to reshape every organization on the planet from bridge clubs to global governments. Brafman and Beckstrom elegantly describe what is afoot and offer a wealth of insights that will be invaluable to anyone starting something new--or rescuing something old--amidst this vast shift. --Paul Saffo, Director, Institute for the Future The Starfish and the Spider is great reading. [It has] not only stimulated my thinking, but as a result of the reading, I proposed ten action points for my own organization. --Professor Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum

The Starfish and the Spider is a compelling and important book. --Pierre Omidyar, CEO, Omidyar Network and Founder and Chairman, eBay Inc.<br><br><br><br> The Starfish and the Spider , like Blink , The Tipping Point , and The Wisdom of Crowds before it, showed me a provocative new way to look at the world and at business. It's<br> also fun to read! --Robin Wolaner, founder, Parenting Magazine and author, Naked in the Boardroom<br><br><br><br> A fantastic read. Constantly weaving stories and connections. You'll never see the world the same way again. --Nicholas J. Nicholas Jr., former Co-CEO, Time Warner<br><br><br><br> A must-read. Starfish are changing the face of business and society. This page-turner is provocative and compelling. --David Martin, CEO, Young Presidents' Organization<br><br><br><br> The Starfish and the Spider provides a powerful prism for understanding the patterns and potential of self-organizing systems. --Steve Jurvetson, Partner, Draper Fisher Jurvetson<br><br><br><br> The Starfish and the Spider lifts the lid on a massive revolution in the making, a revolution certain to reshape every organization on the planet from bridge clubs to global governments. Brafman and Beckstrom elegantly describe what is afoot and offer a wealth of insights that will be invaluable to anyone starting something new--or rescuing something old--amidst this vast shift. --Paul Saffo, Director, Institute for the Future<br> <br> The Starfish and the Spider is great reading. [It has] not only stimulated my thinking, but as a result of the reading, I proposed ten action points for my own organization. <br> --Professor Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum<br><br>

The Starfish and the Spider is a compelling and important book. --Pierre Omidyar, CEO, Omidyar Network and Founder and Chairman, eBay Inc. The Starfish and the Spider , like Blink , The Tipping Point , and The Wisdom of Crowds before it, showed me a provocative new way to look at the world and at business. It's also fun to read! --Robin Wolaner, founder, Parenting Magazine and author, Naked in the Boardroom A fantastic read. Constantly weaving stories and connections. You'll never see the world the same way again. --Nicholas J. Nicholas Jr., former Co-CEO, Time Warner A must-read. Starfish are changing the face of business and society. This page-turner is provocative and compelling. --David Martin, CEO, Young Presidents' Organization The Starfish and the Spider provides a powerful prism for understanding the patterns and potential of self-organizing systems. --Steve Jurvetson, Partner, Draper Fisher Jurvetson The Starfish and the Spider lifts the lid on a massive revolution in the making, a revolution certain to reshape every organization on the planet from bridge clubs to global governments. Brafman and Beckstrom elegantly describe what is afoot and offer a wealth of insights that will be invaluable to anyone starting something new--or rescuing something old--amidst this vast shift. --Paul Saffo, Director, Institute for the Future The Starfish and the Spider is great reading. [It has] not only stimulated my thinking, but as a result of the reading, I proposed ten action points for my own organization. --Professor Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum

Author Information

Ori Brafman and Rod A. Beckstrom, both Stanford MBAs and start-up veterans, are cofounders of Global Peace Networks, a decentralized network of business groups that promote peace and economic development projects. Both live in the San Francisco area.

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