Time Pacing: Competing in Markets That Won't Stand Still
by Kathleen M. Eisenhardt, Shona L. Brown

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Book Reviews of Time Pacing: Competing in Markets That Won't Stand Still

Book Review: Time pacing = Setting the pace of competition
Summary: 3 Stars

This article discusses the authors' research into time pacing, "a strategy for competing in fast-changing, unpredictable markets by scheduling change at predictable time intervals." Their research focused on 12 successful companies in the computer industry, most importantly Intel (the microprocessor manufacturer). Unlike event pacing, which constitutes the familiar and natural order of things, time pacing refers to creating new products or services, launching new businesses, or entering new markets according to the calendar. According to the authors, time pacing has a powerful psychological impact and creates a relentless sense of urgency around meeting deadlines and concentrates individual and team energy around common goals. It requires managers to excel at two critical processes essential to success in changing markets: (1) managing transitions and (2) managing rhythm. The authors describe each of these two processes in detail. Time pacing helps managers avert the danger of changing too infrequently, it avoid managers becoming blocked into old patterns and habits. Time pacing opens up strategic options for the companies that use it, they can use it to keep up, gain competitive ground, and set the pace of competition in an industry. The authors complement the article with three useful sets of questions that can help managers put in place the fundamentals of time pacing in their organizations.

Although the authors uses some fine examples to explain time pacing, the article does not convince me. The article is quite clear on managing transitions, but it is not as clear about managing rhythms. I must admit that I also have some problems accepting and understanding the difference between time pacing and event pacing. However, the article gives some interesting insights into the timing within industries (planning reviews) and the role of modularity (versioning). You like this article? Don't forget their next article, 'Patching: Restitching Business Portfolios' (1999). The article is written in simple US-English.

Summary of Time Pacing: Competing in Markets That Won't Stand Still

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