Preface to first edition

In writing this book, we had specific readers in mind. We dedicate this book to our executive students at The Fuqua School of Business and at the Aarhus School of Business, Denmark. Executive students are very special professionals who come from around the world and bring their varied experience. They have a goal to acquire new knowledge to act and take decisions that will make a difference in their world. In particular, they want to improve the performance of their firm, unit, or organization. From our first detailed outline to the final editing from Cary, Durham, and Aarhus – whether in person, video conference or elaborate email – they were ever with us.