Amazon Reviews
8 of 10 people found the following review to be helpful:
Not Just Another Business Book, February 2, 2000
By Gary J Baumann
Identity is Destiny is surprising in several ways. The depth of its business content becomes quickly apparent, challenging the reader's thinking beyond common theories about the importance of identity for organizations. Real-life examples of the Laws of Identity are included with every chapter. The book then touches the reader individually in a surprising and wonderfully unexpected way, creating a connection with the author that feels quite personal--you feel you know Mr. Ackerman in a way not normally associated with such a work. Finally, you get swept-up in the pure prose of the work and realize that Mr. Ackerman's talents do not stop at mastery of business identity but extend to excellent and enjoyable writing as well. An important book for all these reasons, and just plan good to read.
2 of 2 people found the following review to be helpful:
A "Must-Read" for Corporate CEOs and Soon-to-be-CEOs, January 27, 2000
By Michael T. Eckhart
Mr. Ackerman educates the reader through his relentless search for the souls of company after company -- what makes these major corporations tick, how each one "creates value" in a unique way, and what a leader must do to turn on the potential of a company. This business of identity should be Consideration #1 when motivating employess, assessing acquisiitons, funding research programs, etc. The essence is: does it really fit? The value of the book became apparent when I got to Chapter 3 or 4, and from there it was not-stop reading. The book wiil change forever how you view your company, your competition, and the corporate world at large.
8 of 11 people found the following review to be helpful:
A Way of Being, February 9, 2000
By David
"A Way of Being"
Identity is Destiny transcends business. It is a treatise on potentiality.
The thesis - that corporate entities manifest similar humanistic, value creating characteristics as those of individuals - is wholly unique and is hammered home in each of the lucid case histories presented . In so doing, Ackerman breathes fresh air into what traditionally has been perceived by stakeholders as a "lifeless" arena.
Ackerman's prose is personal and engaging. The author's incisive mind cuts to the heart of what makes organizations tick. His approach to unearthing "the golden nugget" is not only original, but also highly relevant. This reviewer has even been able to put into practice a few of the laws offered up!
Above all, the book is personally enriching. Identity is Destiny amounts to one of those rare business reads that empowers the reader to reflect on his larger self and place in the world.
1 of 1 people found the following review to be helpful:
Highly Recommended!, January 26, 2006
By Louise McCauley
Written for Business Executives, this book will help you understand the dynamics between corporate identity and value creation in business. Lawrence D. Ackerman believes that the true strength of an organization is reflected in its identity, and its ability to use its identity to drive the creation of products and services that provide value to customers. Ackerman posits that there should be a cycle between the identity of the company and the profit it generates. The wealth produced by the identity of the organization should feed back into the identity that creates it. The author has outlined a set of guidelines to identify value for the organization. Ackerman calls them the Laws of Identity. For example:
1. The Law of Being: "Any organization composed of one or more human beings is alive in its own right, exhibiting distinct physical, mental and emotional capacities that derive from, but do not transcend, the individuals who make up that organization."
2. The Law of Individuality: "An organization's human capacities invariably fuse into a discernible identity that makes that organization unique."
3. The Law of Constancy: "Identity is fixed, transcending time and place, while its manifestations are constantly changing."
1 of 1 people found the following review to be helpful:
The Essence of Being ( For an individual or organization)), October 17, 2000
By Ethel Kessler, Kessler Design Group
As a desinger, I've always searched for the essence of my client's being. How they speak about themselves, what their mission is and how that vision should drive the image, logo, identity program that I help them to create. Ackerman's awareness of the essence of this process, and in fact the depth to which it is important, for each of us, as well as each organization has never been delineated in such an articulate way. Brilliant, and personal. Worth reading and rereading.
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