Book Review | Radical Simplicity by Ken Allen

Radical Simplicity by Ken Allen

Radical Simplicity by Ken Allen presents a simple but detailed look into the turnaround strategy that Allen put in place from 2008 to 2018. Over the decade that he was in charge, he took DHL Express from losing €2.2 billion at the EBIT line in 2008 to generating €1.95 billion in 2018.

While the financial figures are quite remarkable, it’s his growth mindset and ability to reduce a complex strategy into sound bites that is truly insightful.

Under the heading of SELF REFLECTION, Allen introduces a concept that reshapes, refocuses and rebuilds DHL into the global giant that it is today (see below for definition).

For anyone looking for an insightful strategy book or wants to learn more about a global giant that carries the famous yellow and red logo, I highly recommend Radical Simplicity.

Some of my favourite quotes from the book:

- "Culture eats strategy for breakfast – If you create the right environment for people, you will be rewarded with high performance from them".

- "On the floor or in the field, reducing cost, improving yield".

SELF REFLECTION

• S = simplicity
• E = execution
• L = leadership
• F = focus
• REFLECTION – you stay relevant, you review, learn and adapt

- "Execution isn’t just about doing the right things, it’s about doing them better, faster and more productivity and more often than you competitors".

- The four bottom lines:

• The financial bottom line – is our revenue and profitability growing?
• The customer bottom line – is their satisfaction growing?
• The employer bottom line – are we employer of choice? Do we have low levels of staff turnover? Do we win external awards?
• The social bottom line - what are we doing for civilisation more generally? Are we interesting in giving back and making our world a better place?

Link to Book

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