Fit In, Stand Out.

Knowing when to be noticed is important for achieving success since people are often passed over when they conform and fit in. In her book Fit In, Stand Out--Mastering the FISO Factor for Success in Business and Life, Blythe McGarvie points to the importance of the FISO Factor--knowing when to fit in and when to stand out. The book draws on McGarvie's experiences as CFO for a number of international firms. Those who use FISO are listened to, have their proposals implemented, and get promoted.

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There are six catalytic agents that affect FISO. The first three--financial acuity, integrity, and linkages--indicate a person's ability to do the job, honesty, and personal networking. These three FISO Factors provide one with the confidence, trust, and access, needed to initially fit in when starting at a company, and can also be sources of reasons to stand out after one is there awhile.

The second three catalytic agents--learning, perspective, and global leadership--imply that one's actions are based on a knowledge base, other's points of view, and an international perspective. These FISO Factors provide one with the innovative ideas, balanced judgment, and agility needed to stand out after one is with a company for a while, and are also useful sources of information for helping one fit in when one first joins a company.

Overall Fit In, Stand Out is a very dynamic and change-oriented book. McGarvie's three questions when deciding to join a firm are: Can I contribute to the company's success? Will I learn something? and Is the company ready for change? Useful questions for everyone to consider.

By Blythe J. McGarvie. Published by McGraw-Hill. For more information visit www.mcgrawhill.ca.

Reviewed by Patrick Buckley, CMA, Ph.D. Buckley is an Ottawa-based systems analyst.