Performance-Based Strategy: Tools and Techniques for Successful Decisions

Executives in today’s business environment have never been busier. Time constraints are ever present. Resources are strained. Strategic planning constantly competes with the tactical demands of running an organization. To make matters worse, most organizational leaders, when confronted with the need for strategic planning, have no idea about how to go about it. They have plenty of knowledge and information about the organization and their situation, but no effective tools to analyze their thoughts, to make decisions that will lead to effective strategies, and most importantly, to create a plan of action.

In Performance Based Strategy, Steve Fairbanks and Aaron Buchko offer a practical set of simple, productive tools that will enable leaders to develop effective strategies. The book offers tools that have been tested in small, medium, and Fortune 100 companies, with for profit and not-for-profit organizations, and across a breadth of industries, such as manufacturing, health care, banking, distribution, transportation, government, and charities, among others. The authors have used these tools as insiders to turn around companies, and as outsiders in advisory and board roles.

When properly applied, the strategies offered here enable leaders to see their situations and organizations in new ways. Managers will be able to present information in a way that everyone in the organization will understand. Executives can provide a sense of direction that will provide a framework for decision making that will give guidance to people. Above all, applying these tools will enable managers to improve their firm’s performance.

Steve Fairbanks is a seasoned executive with over 18 years serving at the President/CEO/Board of Directors level. He has successfully taken over and worked numerous engineered product manufacturing businesses out of distressed situations in Private Equity and Fortune 500 settings. He received his MBA from Baldwin Wallace University and his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. He earned his Professional Engineer’s License, has been awarded eight United States patents, and is a trained six-sigma black belt. He has also been involved with and certified as a facilitator with the Lead Like Jesus organization and has a passion for leadership development. He recently relocated to Rockford, Michigan, where he lives with his wife Lori. He loves being a husband, father and grandfather, singing in the church choir, reading and enjoying the outdoors. Aaron Buchko, Ph.D. Following a successful career in sales and marketing, Aaron earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He is currently Professor of Management in the Foster College of Business at Bradley University, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in strategy, executive development, management and ethics. He is also a confidential advisor to executives in numerous organizations, and serves as a Director for several companies. He has authored numerous articles and a textbook in academic and professional publications. He lives in Peoria, Illinois with his wife, Kathy. Outside of his professional activities, he is focused on his faith and on being a husband, father, and fly fisherman - generally in that order.