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Today's blog post is the second book in my summer reading series.

A few years ago, I hired a management team member who came from an organization that was people challenged.  By that I mean that sales ruled and everyone else was their subjects.  Sales could say anything and do no wrong no matter how exaggerated their promises may have been.

In this culture of growth by any means a corporate culture committee was established for the organization to help solve the inevitable conflicts.  It failed to deliver.

My new hire commented that Delivra had the culture his former employer found so elusive and we did it without a management initiative.  He was astonished to say the least.

So it is with a profound understanding upon reading Wil Davis' book, Creating a Culture of Excellence, that I gratefully offer his insight to achieving a real means to compete long-term via a corporate culture.

The 126-page quick read can be summarized as follows, "The only truly unique, sustainable competitive advantage that any business has is the unique, unduplicated, intellectual capital of its people.  Competitors can copy products.  Somebody will always find a cheaper source of labor.  But no one can take away the creativity, initiative, diligence, and perseverance of our own team." Wil provides the framework, thinking and real world examples of how Ontario Systems built its corporate culture over a 25-year period. His father was a preacher so be prepared for his brand of business-related faith.

Steve Bell, former news anchor of ABC's Good Morning America says, "Warning: This book is dangerous to those whose self image depends on executive perks or a reputation for knowing how to say "you're fired'."

Put this book on your summer reading list.  You won't be disappointed.

Neil Berman | President & CEO