SIMON A. TAYLOR
Thought Leader | Author | Advisor
HRSE 2024, Dubai, UAE
As Seen In
KIM WILLIAMS-BRADLEY
Former CFO, Warner Bros.
Build Smart is a masterful “how-to” guide for rallying an organization to coalesce, innovate and achieve. It is a practical resource that can be relied upon again and again to inspire its reader, effortlessly integrating data, real-world experiences, and the undeniable humanity that define great organizations.
ANDY ORTIZ
SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Cedars-Sinai
In a complex, changing world, Simon Taylor has written what we need, right now - a blueprint for creating value through people. Build Smart pairs theory with relevant examples of organization development principles. This essential resource deserves a prominent spot on your bookshelf.
BERNARD BEDON, Ph.D.
Vice President, Human Resources, Nike
An excellent ‘field manual’ for business leaders and HR professionals alike. Practical, accessible, and comprehensive. A must-read.
WHAT IS YOUR ORGANIZATION'S GLASS CEILING?
Wondering why your organization isn’t reaching its potential? You’re not alone. Many leaders sense something is amiss but struggle to identify the missing link. In Build Smart, organizational leadership expert Simon A. Taylor tackles this challenge head-on.​​
THE OPERATING QUADRANT™
A strategic framework for sustained organizational performance
The book demystifies how the organizational system works by unpacking its four pillars—direction, leadership, teams, and systems—and showing you how to pinpoint and address the specific areas limiting growth and performance. Through insightful research, engaging stories, and actionable frameworks, Build Smart will equip you to tackle your biggest organizational problems like a pro.
ABOUT
​Simon A. Taylor is a recognized thought leader and international speaker on organizational leadership who has advised diplomats and senior executives at The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., Amgen, and Gap. He led HR at the tech startup Graphiq through its acquisition by Amazon.
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Asan advisor to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise—the New Zealand Government’s international business development agency—Simon supports the global expansion of high-growth companies, bridging public and private sector strategy.
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A nine-time national champion rower, he draws on principles of elite competition to build high-performing organizations. His insights have been featured in Forbes, CNBC, Business Insider, and Fast Company. He lives in Orange County, California.
