The Four Disciplines of Execution.

The Four Disciplines of Execution, live seminar and audio CD, 2004, Franklin Covey (800-819-1812, www.franklincovey.com), $279 per person

This category of Best2Buy acknowledges a body of works as reflected in a single product Training Media Review has evaluated during the year. Franklin Covey has been serving the training market for years with an array of products, and this year's Editor Choice acknowledges the company's extraordinary contributions.

Vision, leadership, and strategy all have their place. Execution, however, will determine success in today's business world. It's the difference between results promised and results delivered. To its enduring credit, Franklin Covey takes on a neglected topic, thus legitimizing it as a proper focus for furthering training.

Franklin Covey programs are unparalleled in their instructional design and faithfulness to sound adult learning methodologies and practices. This one is no exception. From the start, the learner is encouraged to become actively involved in the learning process through the use of small group discussion and hands-on exercises. The content is delivered in a truly facilitative style that balances theory and application. The focus is on material that participants identify as important, not solely on what instructors think is essential.

There is nothing magical about the 4 Disciplines of Execution: (1) focus on the wildly important; (2) create a compelling scorecard; (3) translate lofty goals into specific actions; and (4) hold each other accountable all the time. Some, if not all, of the key points presented can be found in almost any extended treatment of the subject matter. As Stephen Covey is often quick to say, the disciplines are just common sense. What makes this seminar so effective is its focus on application--doing, not just knowing. That is the impact of this seminar.

REVIEWER'S RECOMMENDATION

The Four Disciplines of Execution by Franklin Covey provides down-to-earth principles and sensible tools that help you make execution a reality. The live seminar is ideal for work teams as well as managers, leaders, or individual contributors. While the audio CD duplicates much of the seminar content, it lacks the structured approach to learning that is the main benefit of the live seminar. Attend the seminar and use the audio CD for reference and review.