For forty years managers have been exhorted to "stay close to the customer and ahead of the competition." And with good reason Research now shows that market driven organizations outperform their rivals. Given the obvious benefits, why do so many companies fail to become market driven? Because their internal processes, structures, incentives, and controls get in the way, says George Day, one of the world's leading authorities on mar keting Strategy. Building on his pathbreaking book Market Driven Strategy and a decade of experience in coaching firms to deliver superior customer value, Day presents for the first time a battle tested hame work for creating the market-driven organization.

In eminently readable prose, Day argues that in successful market driven organizations, three key elements -- capabilities, culture, and configuration -- are aligned to the market. Day explores the distinctive market sensing and market relating capabilities that are at the heart of the market-driven companies. He draws on examples of such market-driven firms as Intuit, Wal-Mart, Virgin Airlines, Disney, and Gillette to illustrate how intimate knowledge of their customers and markets gives these firms a powerful advantage over rivals. By contrast, Day shows how failure to align the organization to the market can result in such mishaps as IBM's loss of leadership of the computer market or Motorola's stumble in shifting from analog to digital cellular phone systems.

Using case studies of Owens Corning, Sears, and the Eurotunnel, Day provides a concise roadmap to managers who want to strengthen the orientation of their organizations to the market. He concludes with a detailed diagnostic questionnaire to help managers assess their own progress Here at last are all the insights and tools necessary to construct a company with superior skills for understanding, attracting, and keeping valuable customers.

"Market driven strategy" is a buzzword that many business people use without fully grasping its meaning. Now George Day -- the inventor of the phrase -- follows up his groundbreaking book Market Driven Strategy with practical advice for managers who want to better communicate with their customers, perform miles ahead of their competitors, and continually be responsive to both. Based on nearly a decade of research, teaching, and consulting on the topic, The Market Driven Organization shows how to apply Day's essential marketing theories to an entire company. Featuring hundreds of examples from such companies as Virgin Atlantic, General Electric, Procter & Gamble, Staples, and more, Day takes readers step by step through the process of becoming market driven. Complete with diagnostic questionnaires and other assessment tools to identify strengths and weaknesses and lead companies through change, The Market Driven Organization is an indispensable guide that will provide managers with crucial insights drawn from the most thorough research of the decade.