Elastic

Synopsis

The bestselling author of The Drunkard's Walk unlocks the secrets of flexible thinking

What do Pokémon Go and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein have in common?
Why do some businesses survive, and others fail at the first sign of change?
What gives the human brain the edge over computers?

The answer: Elastic Thinking. It's an ability we all possess, and one that we can all learn to hone in order to succeed, at work and in our everyday lives.

Here Leonard Mlodinow, whose own flexible thinking has taken him from physics professor to TV scriptwriter and bestselling author, takes us on a revelatory exploration of how elasticity works. He draws on cutting-edge neuroscience to show how, millennia ago, our brains developed an affinity for novelty, idea generation and exploration. He discovers how flexible thinking enabled some of the greatest artists, writers, musicians and innovators to create paradigm shifts. He investigates the organisations that have demonstrated an elastic ability to adapt to new technologies. And he reveals how you can test your own brain power and increase your capacity for elastic thinking.

By uncovering the secrets of our flexible minds, Elastic explains how to thrive in an endlessly dynamic world, at a time when an ability to adapt is more important than ever before.

Summary

Chapter 1: The New Reality of Business

* Discusses the rapid pace of technological change and globalization, and how it is forcing businesses to become more agile and adaptable.
* Real example: Netflix transitioning from a DVD rental company to a streaming service to keep up with changing consumer preferences.

Chapter 2: The Elastic Enterprise

* Introduces the concept of the "elastic enterprise," which is characterized by its ability to expand and contract rapidly to meet changing market conditions.
* Real example: Amazon Web Services (AWS) scaling its cloud computing services up and down to meet customer demand.

Chapter 3: The Four Pillars of Elasticity

* Outlines the four pillars of elasticity:

* Agile infrastructure: Hardware and software that can be provisioned and deprovisioned quickly.
* Platform-as-a-service (PaaS): Tools and services that allow developers to build and deploy applications rapidly.
* Software-as-a-service (SaaS): Applications that are accessed over the internet, eliminating the need for hardware and software maintenance.
* DevOps: A collaborative approach to software development that combines development and operations teams.

Chapter 4: Building an Elastic IT Architecture

* Provides guidance on how to build an elastic IT architecture using the four pillars of elasticity.
* Real example: Google using PaaS and SaaS to build its scalable cloud computing platform.

Chapter 5: Managing an Elastic Workforce

* Explores the challenges and opportunities of managing an elastic workforce, which is composed of employees, contractors, and gig workers.
* Real example: Uber using gig workers to provide on-demand transportation services.

Chapter 6: The Future of Work

* Forecasts the future of work in the age of elasticity, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptability.
* Real example: Online platforms like Coursera and Udacity offering massive open online courses (MOOCs) to enhance employee skills.

Chapter 7: The New Rules of Engagement

* Discusses how businesses can engage with customers in an elastic world, where customer expectations are constantly evolving.
* Real example: Spotify using personalized playlists and recommendations to enhance user engagement.

Chapter 8: The Elastic Mindset

* Examines the cultural and psychological changes necessary for organizations to embrace elasticity.
* Real example: Airbnb fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within its workforce.

Chapter 9: The Path to Elasticity

* Provides a roadmap for organizations to transition towards becoming an elastic enterprise.
* Real example: Walmart implementing a DevOps approach to improve its software development processes.

Chapter 10: The Elastic Advantage

* Summarizes the benefits of becoming an elastic enterprise, including increased agility, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
* Real example: Amazon utilizing elasticity to dominate the e-commerce market.