The Chemistry of Growth: A CEO's Guide

We were frustrated, distrustful of each other, and frankly, scared. It was the 1970s, and my company had gone deeply into debt with a New England bank to double our capacity, not noticing the onset of a recession that had temporarily flattened our growth. At the time my company had a corporate strategy best described as "just work harder." From the financials and the morale, however, it was clear this "strategy" wasn't working. The bank, worried by our worsening financials, pushed us into "wasting" our time planning strategy rather than fighting fires. Within the first meeting, however, I could see the power of strategic planning, and how it could help the company grow. A short three years after that first executive strategy meeting, the company was able to execute a highly successful initial public offering, showcasing a string of profitable years unprecedented in our corporate history. All because of our strategic planning. Growth is leadership's number one challenge. Your greatest impediments are communication and focus. The single most powerful tool for dealing with those impediments is an effective strategic management process that leverages your most valuable asset - your leadership team. offers a practical and proven formula that has enabled hundreds of small and mid-sized companies like yours create and grow exceptional value, turning their company's vision into reality. Growth requires that your vision be shared and understood. This book explains the three key elements in the author's "chemistry of growth," all critical for first creating, then effectively communicating your strategy to people beyond the executive team, dramatically improving the odds of achieving your vision. Based on author John W. Myrna's 30 years of experience facilitating strategic planning for hundreds of organizations, helps business executives work as a team and: