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Alan Webber

Author, Rules of Thumb.




Expert on change and
innovation in the knowledge economy.






As one of the most widely respected and knowledgeable leaders in business journalism today, Alan Webber brings audiences unusual depth of knowledge and insight into an economy fueled by information, change and innovation.

An award-winning, nationally-recognized editor, author and columnist, he launched Fast Company, the fastest growing, most successful business magazine in history and winner of two national magazine awards, one for excellence and one for design. He was named Adweek's Editor of the Year in 1999, along with co-founding editor William Taylor.
    In 2000 Fast Company was sold for the second largest amount of any magazine in U.S. history.

    Webber understands the important characteristics of a "fast company": the ongoing competition for the best people, for great ideas, and for the right way to think about leadership.
Alan is coauthor of three business-related books, including most recently, his first eBook titled The Global Detective.
    His previous book, Rules of Thumb: 52 Truths for Winning at Business Without Losing Your Self offers the fruits of forty years experience in business from one of its most successful journalists.

    Going Global looks at the techniques and tactics needed to succeed in the global economy.

    Changing Alliances reports on a Harvard Business School study of competitiveness in the U.S. auto industry.
Before founding FC, Alan was for five years the managing editor and editorial director of the Harvard Business Review. During his tenure, HBR was twice a finalist for National Magazine awards; he oversaw the journal's visual redesign and created the architecture for the journal's editorial performance that continues to this day.

Alan's columns and articles have appeared in numerous national publications, including the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The New York Times Sunday Magazine and The Washington Post.
    Webber has been elected as an honorary Senior Fellow by the Design Futures Council — "For significant contributions toward the understanding of changing trends, new research, and applied human knowledge leading to innovative design models that improve the built environment and the human condition."

    He is a former fellow of the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program and a John J. McCloy Fellow. He has worked in the public sector as a special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and in several capacities for the city of Portland, Oregon.

Rules of Thumb

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business leader, or a person trying to make sense of a fast-changing, unpredictable, hard-to-chart world, Alan Webber addresses issues that business leaders in any situation can relate to: how to lead and inspire others; how to deal with failure; how to avert crises; how to create business strategy; how to hire, fire, and mentor; and, how to find a career that's right for you. With 52 rules of thumb—one for each week of the year—Alan offers wise, fun, and helpful advice based on his own experience—fresh insights and hard-won truths gathered over 40 years.

Entrepreneurial Thinking—Some Queries
    1. Do you have the right kind of leadership for your organization?
    2. Are you playing a bigger game?
    3. Are you getting more than your fair share of truly great people?
    4. Is your culture about teamwork or "all for yourself"?
    5. Is your corporate DNA diverse enough?
    6. Are you living inside your customers' skins?
    7. Do you know what your company's design is saying about you?
    8. Do you know what your company stands for?
    9. Is technology a cost or a way of doing business?
    10. Is your company a talk show?
    11. Are you a fast company or a slow company?

Credentials
  • Cofounder and former editor, Fast Company
  • Author, Rules of Thumb
  • Doctor of Humane Letters Honorary Degree, Boston Architectural College
  • Honorary Senior Fellow, Design Futures Council
  • Co-author, Changing Alliances and Going Global
  • Former Harvard Business Review editorial director, managing editor and associate editor
  • Former Associate Editor, Oregon Times magazine
  • Recipient, Oregon State Newspaper Publisher’s Association Award for news and feature writing
  • Named John J. McCloy fellow
  • Columns and articles have appeared in numerous national publications, including the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The New York Times Sunday Magazine and The Washington Post
  • Former fellow, U.S.-Japan Leadership Program
  • Former special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation
    • Former editorial page editor of the Willamette Week
    • Former administrative assistant to the mayor of Portland and chief of his policy council Former administrative assistant to Portland’s city commissioner
    • Former Associate Editor, Oregon Times magazine
    • Recipient, Oregon State Newspaper Publisher’s Association Award for news and feature writing
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