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Life after Boris

A fable about succession planning for professional firms

James Mendelssohn author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Right Book Press

Published:19th Jun '13

Should be back in stock very soon

Life after Boris cover

Life after Boris is a quick-to-read fable that should encourage any partner - or indeed anyone aspiring to partnership - in a professional services firm, to make sure that the succession planning issue is addressed in their firm. It seeks to demonstrate that with good planning, collaboration and proactive discussion, options can be found that will be acceptable to all. Without such an approach, the consequences could be serious. Succession planning is not inherently difficult or intellectually complex. It does, however, strike many raw nerves, both with those who are currently at the top of their firms and are contemplating retirement (or not), and also with those in the early stages of their careers who are anxious to know what the future holds for them in their current firm. The frustration, of course, is that many stakeholders in the succession planning process (of which there are far more than one might originally envisage) rush into decisions because of the apparent lack of a succession plan, thereby simply exacerbating the problem for all the other stakeholders. It is therefore critical that all firms, and the stakeholders within those firms, address the succession planning question before it becomes an issue. Closing the stable door after the horse has bolted is simply not an option. Initiating the succession planning process need not necessarily come from the current leaders. Indeed, their failure to do so is often at the root of the problem. The bright leaders of tomorrow have much at stake and although a great deal of tact and sensitivity will be needed, it is often these future leaders of a firm who are best positioned to bring about change. In the author's experience over the last 12 years of working with professional services firms around the world, one of the most frequently recurring catalysts for discussion has been succession management. Firms that got it right developed and prospered. Those that didn't struggled and often ended up having to merge and ultimately disappear into oblivion.

"Life after Boris is a gentle and easy read with a very hard hitting message for any partner or future partner in a professional services firm. One of the biggest challenges facing the professions today is a lack of focused succession planning for critical roles in a partnership. This book, through the lens of a large rabbit warren, will cause you to reflect and think - whether you are a Boris or the young buck, Eric." Heather Townsend, author of the award-winning Financial Times Guide to Business Networking. "Boris is far from two dimensional - Mendelssohn's short and deceptively simple tale provides the reader, whether an aspiring managing partner or a seasoned business leader, with a refreshing lesson on the benefits of succession planning and consensual leadership and will undoubtedly pay dividends time and time again. The book sits comfortably on my shelf alongside Spencer Johnson's Who Moved My Cheese?" Jon Lisby, CEO Kreston International "Mendelssohn's tale is a gentle but telling reminder that there certainly is Life after Boris. This simple and revealing tale will touch all current and aspiring partners as they contemplate succession planning for the benefit of the firm, its clients and team members. It is easy reading and confirms that good planning, collaboration and proactive discussion will provide a number of options for all. Insightful and thought provoking the book invites you to take action ... otherwise there will be consequences." Alec Blacklaw, Senior Partner of Marsdens, Accountants

ISBN: 9781909116047

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 100g

80 pages