Umair Hague has written a compelling book, The New Capitalist Manifesto: Building a Disruptively Better Business, for those of us interested in the future of business, leadership, and change in the 21st century. I read stacks of business books – but have read none more relevant for creating healthy, vibrant and successful organizations, which are sustainable by creating enduring, meaningful, sustainable advantages. And not just for them – but for society as a whole.
Umair is the first to admit that he does not have all the answers, and also that there is no one organization that exemplifies all five of his “cornerstones of prosperity” for the 21st century. Yet he provides a compelling starting point for exploration and uses many examples of existing companies that are creating what he calls “thick value.”
He highlights Nikes’ Considered Design in which the goal is that “anything and everything can be recycled into something just as desirable.” Clearly good for the environment but even better for Nike – as supply chain costs shrink to next to nothing.
Threadless, a phenomenal success story in retail clothing, uses consumer voting PRIOR to production and as a consequence only produces limited edition, highly desired products. Their mantra: “Better decisions faster,” – the result is amazingly high margins, no waste and extreme customer responsiveness.
Examples abound of Umair’s five cornerstones: Loss Advantage, Responsiveness, Resilience, Creativity, and Difference. Leaders of companies take note: this book is a must-read for leaders of organizations and entrepreneurs.
