'It seemed to me that the bees were working on the very same kinds of problems we are trying to solve. How can large, diverse groups work together harmoniously and productively? Perhaps we could take what the bees do so well and apply it to our institutions.'

When Michael O'Malley first took up beekeeping he thought it would be a nice hobby to share with his son. But he noticed that bees not only work together to achieve a common goal but, in the process, create a remarkably productive organization, like a miniature but incredibly successful business.

O'Malley also realized that bees can teach managers a lot, identifying 25 powerful insights such as:

* Distribute authority: the queen bee delegates relentlessly and worker bees make daily decisions
* Keep it simple: bees exchange only relevant information
* Protect the future: when a lucrative vein of nectar is discovered, the entire colony doesn't rush off to mine it

Blending practical advice with interesting facts about the hive, The Wisdom of Bees is a useful and entertaining guide for any manager looking to get the most out of his or her organization.

About the Author
Michael O'Malley, Ph.D., is a social psychologist and management consultant who has coached some of the world's largest companies. He is currently the executive editor for business, economics, and law at Yale University Press and an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School. He has been an avid beekeeper since 2002. He lives in New Haven, Connecticut.

Reviews
Mind-opening, insightful, and compelling * John Pepper, former CEO and chairman, Procter & Gamble *
Read this remarkable book * W. Warner Burke, chair, Department of Organization and Leadership, Columbia University *
An excellent operating guide for good management. * Phil Johnson, CEO, PJA Advertising + Marketing *
After you read this book, I assure you that you will never think about your organization in quite the same way. * Roxanne Quimby, co-founder of Burt's Bees *



Book Information
ISBN 9780670919482
Author Michael O'Malley
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 165g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 15mm