Subtitle Sought for SAIC Solution Second Edition
8 Comments Published by Dr. Beyster January 8th, 2014 in The Book.As you may be aware, we are currently working on the 2nd edition of my book about the origins, growth, and practices of SAIC, titled The SAIC Solution: How We Built an $8 Billion Employee-Owned Technology Company. The manuscript is currently being edited by our publisher, and we hope to have the book available for purchase in April or May.
SAIC itself has gone through great change over the past several years, and I believe many of these changes were not for the better. For example, the IPO resulted in significant loss of shareholder value, while the dismantling of the employee-ownership culture has removed one of the company’s most important tools for recruiting, retaining, and engaging talented people. And the recent split up of the company into two new businesses has greatly lessened SAIC’s economies of scale. I address these issues and more in the 2nd edition of the book.
To reflect these changes in SAIC, I am considering the possibility of changing the subtitle of The SAIC Solution. Instead of “How We Built an $8 Billion Employee-Owned Technology Company,” I would like something that better reflects the entire history of the company. That is where you come in. I am reaching out to the readers of this blog to suggest a new subtitle for The SAIC Solution. The winner will get to join me for a cruise on San Diego Bay on my boat Solutions, with lunch at Sally’s at the Manchester Hyatt. You will, of course, need to arrange your own travel to San Diego to redeem this award.
While we’re at it, I would also like to see if anyone has ideas for a tagline for the book — a short, dynamic statement that sums up the idea of the book in just a handful of words. If we use your idea, then you will also get to join me on my boat and for lunch at Sally’s.
Please submit your ideas to inquire@fed.org no later than Friday, January 31 to be considered.
I hope everyone has a happy and successful 2014.
— Bob
Hi Dr Beyster,
Happy New Year. I have an idea for a new subtitle, but I can’t take credit for it because it belongs to you… I have heard and used the phrase “None of us is as smart as all of us” many times over the last 15 years at SAIC.
To me, that phrase summarizes why SAIC was successful, and FYI, those words still ring true to those of us who have been fortunate enough to be around since the days of Employee Ownership.
Take Care Dr B
chet
How about
“Constructing and Deconstructing Employee Owned Science and Engineering”
Chet: Good to hear from you. I like your idea, and I agree that it still rings true today. — Bob
Doug: Thank you for your suggestion. It’s a good one. — Bob
Dr. Beyster:
I learned so much many times from Lloyd Mossman’s “Lessons Learned” win/loss vignettes.
Perhaps “The SAIC Solution: Lessons Learned”.
But ““None of us is as smart as all of us” is highly reflective of the secret sauce that made it work.
A BusinessWeek article noted that “the average life expectancy of a multinational corporation-Fortune 500 or its equivalent-is between 40 and 50 years.” At 44 years, the original SAIC had a fantastic run. A history to be very proud of and that will not be forgotten.
Regards,
Bill
Bill: I appreciate your contribution to the blog and your ideas for a new subtitle for the second edition of The SAIC Solution. I hope that you will stop by for a visit sometime soon. You are welcome to join me on my boat on an upcoming Friday, or at lunch at Roppongi in La Jolla on Tuesday. Please get in touch with Ralph if you’re interested in joining me. It would be great to have you along. — Bob
Bob … I suggest changing the byline to “How Employee-Ownership Created an $8 Billion Technology Company”. I think this slogan would properly give credit to employee ownership for our success at SAIC.
Al Mondelli
Al: Thanks for your suggestion. — Bob