cover image The Super Chiefs: 2today's Most Successful Chief Executives and Their Winning Strategies

The Super Chiefs: 2today's Most Successful Chief Executives and Their Winning Strategies

Robert Heller. Dutton Books, $24 (416pp) ISBN 978-0-525-93548-3

In a meaty, no-nonsense study Heller ( The Supermanagers ) declares that American management, although threatened by foreign competition, imports and takeovers, ``is at war with itself,'' largely because of the personal and institutional inertia of CEOs. He calls for flexible management structures responsive to rapid change and stresses ongoing training, proper placement, empowerment and incentives for staff at all levels as correctives. Sampling both U.S. and foreign conglomerates and specialized businesses in finance, communication and transportation, Heller demonstrates that even giants like IBM and Coca-Cola and ``super-start'' enterprises like Apple and Sony share the same need for ``super chiefs'' able to cope with constant change while maintaining the ongoing structure of a mature company. Newbridge Book Club main selection. (Nov.)