Start with the Answer

(And Other Wisdom for Aspiring Leaders)

Bob Seelert, Chairman, Saatchi & Saatchi
Published by John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey, 04 May 2009

At a time when our economic systems desperately need to energize people and produce leaders at all levels, Saatchi & Saatchi Chairman Bob Seelert brings us Start with the Answer. This back-to-basics, no-nonsense collection serves up 94 real-life stories from Bob's career as CEO of five companies in three different industries.

Immediately and universally applicable across Saatchi & Saatchi's network of people and clients, Start with the Answer outlines Bob's strategies, tactics and principle-centered approach to decision-making and problem-solving. Backed with two Harvard degrees and 40 years experience in business, Bob boils it all down to the eight dimensions of business life every leader must master in order to succeed:

• Preparing for a Career in Business
• Managing Your Career
• Planning and Other Essentials of Business Strategy
• Business Operations: Looking Beyond the Obvious
• Finance and Economics, or Dollars and Sense
• Lessons in Leadership
• Building Culture Through Communications
• Personal Style and Spirit

Start with the Answer puts forward a philosophical foundation for high-quality leadership in the modern business world. It proposes that leaders must first come to know themselves, and then develop the values, beliefs, and principles they will carry through their careers which will earn them the trust of those whom they are charged with leading.

If you want to take your Saatchi & Saatchi career to the pinnacle of achievement and success, you have to know where you're going before you plot your course. You must "start with the answer".

"I'm at my best when I have a coach and mentor. Bob Seelert has played that role for over a decade, providing me with counsel, guidance, perspective, and unconditional love and support. And wisdom - lots of it! You'll find out what I mean when you read this book." Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide

"Packed full of the wisdom that we have witnessed Bob dispense first hand. It has universal application. Start with the Answer can turn up the volume on the exacting standards of performance from everyone at Saatchi & Saatchi." Richard Hytner, Deputy Chairman, London

"I've been fortunate to have access to the wisdom and counsel of Bob Seelert-live and in-person. Now everyone can benefit from Bob's straight talking business and career strategy consulting. You'll put his wisdom to use, guaranteed." Mary Baglivo, Chairman and CEO, The Americas

"A common sense antidote to over-intellectual business books. Start with the Answer is a return to the simple values that can lead to successful business careers and successful businesses. Comforting simplicity from a regular guy." Vaughan Emsley, General Manager, P&G Publicis Groupe, New York

"Bob's unique form of leadership and vision has provided a breadth and depth of experience second to none. Put simply, there is no substitute for experience. Start with the Answer will provide an invaluable toolkit for not only the current but future generations of our business. His values and anecdotes embody the true meaning of the Saatchi brand. To harvest a pearl of Bob's wisdom 'Linking the past, present and future is the best way to build a business from its strengths.'" Ian Rowden , Chairman and CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi, Asia Pacific

"Bob's timeless wisdom dispensed in an easily digestible manner. If you want to learn, if you want to grow, if you want to influence your clients, and their business, if you want to be successful, read Start with the Answer." Simon Francis, CEO EMEA, London

"Start with the Answer can be extraordinarily useful. It is the kind of book that one returns to after reflection and for guidance. Bob's experience in the client world dealing with leadership challenges will have meaning and application to our clients." Kurt Ritter, CEO, Los Angeles

"Fresh insight into the past and present of Saatchi & Saatchi - a story of creativity borne of necessity. Start with the Answer is sage counsel and a tacit reminder of the importance of humility in business." Robert Senior, CEO, London