Over the past 100 years the European Automotive Industry has been repeatedly challenged by best practice. First by the United States, through the development of ‘mass production’ pioneered by Henry Ford and more recently by ‘lean production techniques’ as practised by the leading Japanese producers, particularly Toyota. It has consistently risen to these challenges and has shown it can compete and even outperform its competitors with world-class products. However, the European - dustry is now faced with growing competition and growth from new emerging low-cost countries and needs to re-define its competitive advantage to remain at the forefront of the sector. Automotive growth is driven by two factors, new m- kets and new technologies. Global competition is increasing, with technology and product differentiation becoming the most important sales factors, but with c- tinued cost pressure. Within the market the winners will be more profitable and the losers will disappear. The Automotive Industry makes a significant contribution to the socio-economic fabric of the European Union. Manufacturing output represents €700 billion and research and development spending €24 billion. European automotive suppliers number 5000 member companies and represent 5 million employees and generate €500 billion in revenues. These are significant figures that generate wealth and high value employment within the EU. European firms must consistently improve their competitive position to ensure that the industry does not migrate to growing new markets.

Gardner explains how to bring a company into alignment with mass customization (also known as build to order, assemble to order, configure to order, make to order, and engineer to order). He also reviews why mass customization must be viewed as an enterprise-wide business strategy, not merely a departmental initiative.

Grammy Award winner Rhiannon Giddens celebrates Black history and culture in her unflinching, uplifting, and gorgeously illustrated picture book debut. I learned your words and wrote my song. I put my story down. As an acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter, and cofounder of the traditional African American string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rhiannon Giddens has long used her art to mine America’s musical past and manifest its future, passionately recovering lost voices and reconstructing a nation’s musical heritage. Written as a song to commemorate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth—which was originally performed with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma—and paired here with bold illustrations by painter Monica Mikai, Build a House tells the moving story of a people who would not be moved and the music that sustained them. Steeped in sorrow and joy, resilience and resolve, turmoil and transcendence, this dramatic debut offers a proud view of history and a vital message for readers of all ages: honor your heritage, express your truth, and let your voice soar, even—or perhaps especially—when your heart is heaviest.

At a time when globalization is taking a step backward, what’s the best way to organize a global enterprise? The key, explains political economist Steven Weber, is to prepare for a world increasingly made up of competing regions defined by their own rules and standards. Globalization has taken a hit as trade wars and resistance to mass migrations dominate headlines. Are we returning to the old world of stand-alone nations? Political economist Steven Weber argues that we are heading toward something new. Global connectedness will not dissolve but will be defined by “regional” blocs, demarcated more by the rules and standards they follow than by territory. For leaders of firms and NGOs with global ambitions, navigating this transformation is the strategic challenge of the decade. Not long ago, we thought the world was flattening out, offering a level playing field to organizations striving for worldwide reach. As global economic governance expanded, firms shifted operations to wherever was most efficient—designing in one country and buying, manufacturing, and selling in others. Today, the world looks bumpier, with rising protectionism, national struggles over data control, and tensions over who should set worldwide standards. Expect emerging regional blocs to be dominated by the major rule-makers: the US, China, and possibly the EU. Firms and NGOs will need to remake themselves by building complete, semi-independent organizations in each region. Every nation will choose which rule-maker it wants to align with, and it may not be the one next door. This new world has the potential to be more prosperous, Weber argues, but friction between the dynamics of geography and technology will make it more risky. Pioneering research, creative thinking, and colorful storytelling from the frontlines of the global economy combine to make this a must-read for leaders and analysts facing tomorrow’s world.

Emily White has been at the forefront of the modern music industry throughout her career. In this book, she shares her wisdom for all musicians who want access to this information. White feels that the modern music industry is rarely, if ever, presented in order - from creation to execution or recording to release. For the first time, White has penned all of her best practices and advice for musicians looking to build a long-term career into a single book, while ensuring they aren't missing any funds owed to them along the way. As an entrepreneur, manager and consultant, White has navigated countless new platforms for musicians and presents the findings in a methodical and step by step manner. This book shows musicians how to build a career from day one, as well as how to get your career organized moving forward if it isn't your first rodeo. Early Praise for How to Build a Sustainable Music Career and Collect All Revenue Streams: "A must-read for anyone launching a career in music or the music industry." -Hypebot "Few people I know have the experience, savvy and aptitude that Emily White brings to the table, and to a book this necessary and important, especially as this new music ecosystem really starts to take flight. So to all the artists & entrepreneurs looking to be students of the game and makers of the money, not just the music - get the book, get your mind right, and go get your hustle on." -Amaechi Uzoigwe, Manager of Run The Jewels, Founder of FourM Arts & Science "A concise and current guide to getting your ducks in a row from the woman who is steadily helping me row my ducks." -JULIA NUNES, Musician & Songwriter "In today's world, you gotta build your own career from the ground up, Emily's book gives you an excellent road map to do that." -Donald S. Passman, Author of All You Need to Know About the Music Business "Emily White continues to show the music business that having a good foundation is fundamental to success. No short cuts!" -Kevin Lyman, Warped Tour Founder & USC Professor Emily White is an entrepreneur and Founder at Collective Entertainment and #iVoted. White's career spans the entertainment industry, always putting artists and talent first, while taking care of fans a very close second. Her name graced the cover of Billboard magazine while in her 20's, with White's work additionally covered by Forbes, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Rolling Stone, CNN, Fox Business, Vox, The Huffington Post, Pitchfork, Relix, The Fader, Pollstar, Stereogum, Alternative Press, ESPN and more. She is a regular speaker around the globe at events such as SXSW, Midem, BIGSOUND Australia, Canadian Music Week, PollstarLive!, NAMM, Music Biz, NARM, SanFran MusicTech, Between The Waves, and innumerous universities. White has served on the boards of Future of Music, Well-Dunn, CASH Music, SXSW, The David Lynch Foundation Live!, The Grammys' Education Committee, and Pandora's Artist Advisory Council. Her first book, Interning 101, was released in 2017 (9GiantStepsBooks) and is a course book at schools around the world. White is an Adjunct Professor at New York University's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music in Tisch School of The Arts.