We have reached a point in the industrial revolution where, because of advanced technology, many things we were taught have become obsolete. Against worldwide competition, there is danger that American industrial processes could become obsolete at any time. Unless we rethink how we run our businesses, we may find ourselves heading into bankruptcy.

Keep an open mind as you read this book. Ask yourself where you could use these ideas. Brainstorm and write them down with target dates. I want to highlight two key points: It is not that executives do not know what to do that causes a...