Douglas W. Hubbard’s How to Measure Anything: Finding the Value of “Intangibles” in Business is a remarkable book that captures the essence of quantification in the business world. It’s a must-read for professionals across industries who find themselves grappling with the elusive challenge of measuring seemingly immeasurable concepts.
At its core, Hubbard’s book is about shedding light on the supposedly dark art of measurement. He argues cogently that there’s nothing in business that can’t be measured, be it customer satisfaction, organizational flexibility, technology ROI, or even the value of corporate leadership. The key themes revolve around demolishing the myth that certain things are immeasurable and offering a concrete methodology for turning intangibles into measurable quantities.
One cannot help but appreciate the way Hubbard makes a typically dry subject – business statistics – engaging and relevant. Peter Tippett, the inventor of the first antivirus software, praises Hubbard’s work for creating a pathway to better knowledge. Peter Schay of The Advisory Council recommends the book’s powerful, practical techniques – a sentiment echoed by many readers who have found Hubbard’s methods directly applicable to their decision-making processes.
Ray Gilbert from Lucent praises the book for bridging the gap between academic statistics and applied business practices. What stands out in these endorsements is the clarity of Hubbard’s style and the range of his measurement applications.
Hubbard doesn’t simply argue that everything can be measured; he shows how to do it. His strategies include calibrating better estimates and understanding the value of information before deciding on how and what to measure. These valuable lessons steer away from the clichés of business rhetoric and move towards actionable, evidence-based decision-making.
How to Measure Anything demystifies the complexities associated with risk, uncertainty, and decision-making within business environments. It reveals the often underestimated power of measurement to provide crucial insight and significantly alter our understanding of a problem.
Douglas W. Hubbard’s How to Measure Anything is insightful, useful, and surprisingly accessible. Whether you’re a manager, analyst, consultant, or student of business, this book will change your perception of measurement. It challenges preconceived notions with robust, analytical thinking and provides readers with the tools to measure and improve their endeavors in practical, meaningful ways. It’s an indispensable guide for anyone seeking informed, less risky, and more profitable business decisions.
