How can a small business use the strategies employed by Lou Gerstner at IBM to grow?

A small business can implement the winning strategy and culture behind IBM's successful turnaround by adopting a few key practices. First, it's important to challenge traditional values and practices that may be hindering progress. This could mean changing dress codes, benefits, or hierarchical structures that are outdated. Second, it's crucial to eliminate practices that allow for unnecessary roadblocks in decision-making processes. For example, IBM had a practice where almost anyone could veto a proposal, which often led to projects being stopped in their tracks. By eliminating such practices, a small business can ensure smoother operations and quicker decision-making. Lastly, it's important to foster a culture of change and adaptability, as this was a key factor in IBM's turnaround.

Startups can learn several strategies from IBM's turnaround to tackle outdated organizational structures. Firstly, they can adopt a culture of change and flexibility, as opposed to sticking to traditional values and practices. Secondly, they can implement a system where decisions are not hindered by unnecessary bureaucracy, as was the case with IBM where any proposal could be vetoed. Lastly, they can ensure that the path to upward mobility within the organization is based on merit and performance, rather than on serving as an administrative assistant to top executives.