Robert Townsend

Up the Organization

1. IDEA 1

   An irreverent guide to management

   Townsend, who led the car rental company Avis, wrote short, witty notes on management arranged alphabetically. His goal was to puncture pompous corporate habits and focus on what really works.

2. IDEA 2

   Avis tried harder

   Townsend describes how Avis, then second in its market, used its position to motivate staff and customers. Being honest about being number two became a source of energy. The slogan became famous.

3. IDEA 3

   Keep organisations simple

   Townsend argues that big companies create layers of management, committees and paperwork that slow everything down. He favours small teams and clear responsibilities. Fewer layers mean faster decisions. Committees, he jokes, rarely decide anything.

All 8 ideas from Up the Organization →