Enterprise Growth Strategy: Vision, Planning and Execution

Even during economic downturns businesses have to grow to survive and compete in domestic and international markets. There is always a need to plan for future growth.

Enterprise Growth Strategy presents the total process of a growth strategy. Dr Kumar is an engineer who entered the academic world following a long career in manufacturing business and has since taught almost every aspect of business and management. The 'growth strategy' concept he has developed is comprehensive and manifestly practical.

Dr Kumar describes mechanisms by which businesses can gain market share; develop, modify, or upgrade products; acquire new or expand existing businesses; transform resources to increase revenue and profitability; reduce cycle time; and empower business associates. Quality concepts – market growth, financial and core competency – are outlined and a variety of growth strategy tools presented. The relationship between continuous improvement metrics and business growth metrics is explained and their relevance to financial performance examined. Examples and case studies are presented to illustrate how different business areas such as Sales and Marketing; Product Development; Operations; Support Services; and the Finance function, contribute. Leadership responsibilities, employee participation in the execution of growth strategy, culture and change issues are also discussed.

Business leaders, managers and consultants, academics and teachers, as well as higher level students on business-related courses will find enormous value in this book. It is unusual, if not unique, in presenting the total process from vision to mission, to development of a growth strategy, implementation of initiatives, use of tools, and measurement of both operational and financial outcomes.

About the Author

Dr. Dhirendra Kumar is Senior Extension Engineer at North Carolina State University in the USA. He has worked as an engineer, technical adviser and programme manager for Outboard Marine, John Deere, Pratt and Whitney, and Pitney Bowes. Since turning to academia, Dr. Kumar has been a researcher, senior lecturer, and a visiting and adjunct professor, holding different posts at the Universities of Iowa, Nebraska, Hartford, Central Connecticut and New Haven. He has written books, instructional manuals, and many conference papers and is a member of a number of advisory boards and scholarship committees. In his current role he advises graduate students on industrial projects and leads projects in organizations external to his university. Dr. Kumar is also developing and taping courses for distance learning on topics, such as Enterprise Growth Strategy, Resources Transformation, and Continuous Improvement.