Ira A. Jackson, Correspondent
Something extraordinary just happened.
This week, the Drucker Graduate School of Management in Claremont has released a groundbreaking, collaborative work titled "The Drucker Difference: What the world's greatest management thinkermeans to today's business leaders." It's published by McGraw-Hill.
What sets this book apart?
First of all, this is the first of its kind to ever be published by any business school - the book is a truly a synergistic work developed and authored by 16 of the school's scholars. The Drucker Difference provides unparalleled insight on management and business based on the philosophy of the late Peter Drucker, a father of modern management, through the eyes, ears and perspectives of leading Drucker faculty, who have reassessed, reanalyzed and re-evaluated Drucker's work, applying his teachings to the contemporary issues affecting the business world today.
As the author of 39 books and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Peter Drucker was one of the most influential business thinkers in history. He was concerned not only with the human side of management, but also with the larger social roles played by both companies and the individuals within them.
If there has ever been a time when such a thinker is relevant (and needed), it's now.
The Drucker Difference casts a new light on Drucker's business philosophy - throughout the 16 chapters, a professor from the school takes a single, classic aspect of Drucker's work, examines its implications in today's business environment and applies an up-to-date and contemporary interpretation of Drucker's wisdom. Each chapter covers an aspect of his teachings - from Government, Business and Civil Society, to Economic Environment, Innovation and Industry Dynamics - reassessing and interpreting each through the lens of today's ever-changing, turbulent business environment. A comprehensive guide to successful business management practices, the combination of expert insight and current scholarship reveal how organizations and executives can interpret and apply Drucker's timeless ideas.
Here's how I see the value of this book. There are more than 1,000 business schools in America, but only one that is named for and anchored by the teachings of a great thinker, management guru, and social philosopher. This book, written by all of us on the Drucker School faculty, reflects our unique values-oriented approach to management as a liberal art, and conveys the essence of what we call "The Drucker Difference."
You should also know that this book grew out of a course of the same name. A couple of years ago, our faculty was brainstorming and like many great things, some special and unique came out of a few people dreaming and thinking of what could be. By the way, the course is mandatory for every Drucker School student.
Additionally, the release of this unprecedented book is part of the worldwide Drucker Centennial, which marks the 100th birthday of Peter Drucker. The global celebration, which is being put on by the Drucker School and the Drucker Institute, will be crowned by a week of special events at Claremont Graduate University in November 2009.
You can find "The Drucker Difference: What the world's greatest management thinker means to today's business leaders" wherever books are sold, including Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Borders, and on McGraw-Hill's Web site. I strongly urge you to go out and get a copy.
As we approach this once in a hundred years celebration, please also take a moment to go to www.drucker100.com for additional details about the Drucker Centennial, including times and exact locations for upcoming events.
One last point: After reading this book, it occurred to me that great insights are rare. What we have here in this collection is a plethora of insight combined with application in the real world. To me, that's a pretty good deal.
Ira A. Jackson is the dean of the Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.
