Managers, Can You Hear Me Now? April 14, 2011

Managers, Can You Hear Me Now?
Hard-Hitting Lessons on How to Get Real Results

Authors: Denny Strigl, Frank Swiatek
ISBN: 9780071759137 / 0071759131
©2011 | 1st Edition | 224 pages | Hardback
Pub Date: MAR-11
Price: US$ 25.00
Sample Ch 01 | Author’s Blog | Learn More

Learn from the executive who made Verizon Wireless #1 what it takes to drive results, develop people, and build careers

For managers, behavior is the real key to achievement. In order to stop struggling and start delivering, you need to close the gap between what you know and what you do. That’s been Denny Strigl’s method, and now it can be yours, too.

Among the most prominent architects of the wireless communications industry, the former Verizon Wireless president and CEO has had one of the most remarkable careers in modern business. In Managers, Can You Hear Me Now?, Strigl shares all the skills and techniques he used to build Verizon into one of the greatest growth companies in any industry. You’ll learn how to:

• Create a corporate culture where trust, respect, and integrity flourish—and employees and customers alike are appropriately served
• “Eliminate the fluff,” get focused, and stop wasting time on things that don’t matter
• Address issues proactively before they become problems—even employee performance issues
• Get past your “blind spots,” reinforce priorities consistently, and communicate with clarity
• Master the Four Fundamentals of Management: growing revenue, getting new customers, keeping the customers you already have, and eliminating costs

Managers, Can You Hear Me Now? includes additional suggestions for bringing the best of your energy and passion into your work, helpful anedcotes from Strigl’s career, simple self-assessment questions, and even a look at how your business day as a successful manager should play out.

Whether you’re the CEO of a large corporation or run your own small business, the lessons from Managers, Can You Hear Me Now? are sure to come through—loud and clear.

Endorsement

“This is an essential read for every manager’s, or aspiring manager’s, success for one simple reason: it is all authentic and it works.”
—Ivan G. Seidenberg, CEO, Verizon (from the Foreword)

“Even though Denny was a fierce competitor, I couldn’t help but admire him for his strong track record of performance, his no-nonsense approach, and his honesty and integrity.”
—Dan Hesse, CEO, Sprint Nextel

“Denny Strigl is one of the most consummate competitors I have ever known! That’s saying a lot considering the 14 years I played in the National Football League. I have been a front-row observer of his business acumen at Verizon for the past 7 years as the president and CEO of CTIA–The Wireless Association. In this book, in typical Strigl manner, Denny pulls no punches! Managers, Can You Hear Me Now? is a straightforward and honest look at priorities and decision making in today’s fast-paced world as told by not just a survivor but a success in this competitive world.”
—Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association, former U.S. Congressman, and former NFL player

“A must-read for managers at every level in companies large and small. A road map for management success written in quintessential Denny Strigl style—clear, concise, and direct.”
—James E. Rohr, Chairman and CEO, PNC Financial Services Group

“This book brims with refreshing candor and common sense about what it takes to become a manager who delivers results.”
—Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and CEO, Eastman Kodak Company

“A must read for business leaders and managers in today’s global competitive marketplace where teamwork and decision making is so critical to success.”
—William G. Parrett, former CEO, Deloitte

About the Authors

Denny Strigl is widely recognized as one of the most prominent architects of the wireless communications industry and his career in telecommunications spans over four decades.

Strigl began his career in 1968 with New York Telephone and held positions at AT&T and Wisconsin Telephone before becoming Vice President of American Bell Inc. In 1984, he became President of Ameritech Mobile Communications, where he was instrumental in launching the nation’s first cellular telephone network in Chicago. While there, he won the Cellular Industry Achievement Award for engineering advancement and pioneering in marketing programs. He joined Bell Atlantic in 1989, rising to the position of Chief Operating Office of New Jersey Bell before being named President and CEO of Bell Atlantic Mobile in 1991. He subsequently was named President and CEO of the combined Bell Atlantic Mobile and NYNEX Mobile when those two companies merged in 1995. He went on to become President and Chief Executive Officer of Verizon Wireless and Executive Vice President of Verizon Communications. On January 1, 2007, Strigl was named President and Chief Operating Officer of Verizon Communications, where he remained until his retirement in December of 2009. In this capacity, he was responsible for all Verizon’s network businesses—Verizon Wireless, Verizon Telecom, Verizon Business and Verizon Services Operations, which provides financial, real estate and other functional services to all of the corporation’s operations.

In Verizon’s 2009 Annual Report, Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg wrote in his Letter to Shareholders, “Chief Operating Officer Denny Strigl, who retired last December with 41 years of service, is truly one of the legendary figures of our industry. He built Verizon Wireless into one of the most amazing growth companies in this or any industry. His work ethic and high standards inspired generations of Verizon leaders and helped create a culture of performance that is his lasting legacy to our company.” Strigl is past chairman (1996-97) of the Board of Directors of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, the national industry association based in Washington, D.C.

He serves on the board of directors of the Eastman Kodak Company, PNC Financial Services and PNC Bank and Anadigics, Inc.

Strigl holds a degree in business administration from Canisius College where he recently served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, which named him to its Pinnacle Society for Distinguished Alumni. He is an avid skier and aviation enthusiast, and holds a commercial pilots license.

Frank Swiatek is a performance consultant and speaker who has had more than 3,400 speaking engagements and seminars and has worked for more than 25 Fortune 500 companies, including Verizon Wireless.

Publicity

1. InteInvestor’s Business Daily’s technology blog, Click, features an interview today with MANAGERS, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW author Denny Strigl about the book on April 1. To read, please click HERE
2. Forbes.com Entrepreneurs channel features a blog about MANAGERS, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW and the nine bad habits that Denny Strigl says can derail managers’ — and entrepreneurs’ — success on April 4. To read, please click HERE
3. Interview on CNBC’s The Kudlow Report, Jul 22. To watch, pls click HERE

Book Review

1. Suite 101
2. getAbstract

Other books you might be interested:

1. 9780071544238 Executive Warfare
2. 9780071597296 Career Warfare
3. 9780071600170 How We Lead Matters

Hard-Hitting Lesson, the five-part series by Denny Strig

Hard-Hitting Lesson #1: Results Are What Matter

In Hard-Hitting Lesson #1 (part one of the five-part series), Denny Strigl discusses one of the quintessential rules that helped him transform Verizon Wireless from a regional carrier into a billion-dollar company during his 20 years as CEO and president: A manager’s focus is to get results through people.

Hard-Hitting Lesson #2: Manage Distractions

In Hard-Hitting Lesson #2 (part two of the five-part series), Denny Strigl discusses one of the quintessential rules that helped him transform Verizon Wireless from a regional carrier into a billion-dollar company during his 20 years and CEO and president: If you are going to be successful, it’s important to manage your day by limiting the distractions that can otherwise control it.

Hard-Hitting Lesson #3: Put Your Message in Clear and Concise Terms

In Hard-Hitting Lesson #3 (part three of the five-part series), Denny Strigl discusses one of the quintessential rules that helped him transform Verizon Wireless from a regional carrier into a billion-dollar company during his 20 years and CEO and president: If you cannot put your message in clear and concise terms, you cannot expect results to match your goals.

Hard-Hitting Lesson #4: Be Accountable

In Hard-Hitting Lesson #4 (part four of the five-part series), Denny Strigl discusses one of the quintessential rules that helped him transform Verizon Wireless from a regional carrier into a billion-dollar company during his 20 years and CEO and president: Good managers don’t blame anybody but themselves when results are not met.

Hard-Hitting Lesson #5: Tell It Like It Is

In Hard-Hitting Lesson #2 (part two of the five-part series), Denny Strigl discusses one of the quintessential rules that helped him transform Verizon Wireless from a regional carrier into a billion-dollar company during his 20 years and CEO and president: Good news, bad news, any news, good managers will tell it like it is.