William C. Taylor
William C. Taylor is an American writer and business leader known for his books and contributions to the study of business and professional networks in the modern age. Taylor graduated from Harvard Business School, where his fascination with the network economy was born. He wrote about this phenomenon in his celebrated 2005 book, Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds in Business Win. Taylor has gone on to write five additional books and help found several media companies, such as Fast Company Magazine, which he co-authored in 1995.
Taylor’s writings have become standard curriculum in business schools. His first book, Mavericks at Work, argues that the way companies succeed in the networked economy and in digital age is not by using traditional top-down management models, but rather by finding ways to encourage, inspire and motivate employees. Taylor believes that businesses must be constantly innovating and creating entirely new products, services and ways of doing business in order to remain competitive in an ever-changing economy. He argues that the most successful businesses rely on collaboration among all employees at all levels, rather than simply on the authority of top management.
Taylor’s second book, Practically Radical: Not-so-Crazy Ways to Transform Your Company, Rewire Your Industry, and Challenge Yourself, is widely considered to be a classic that taught traditional businesses about the importance of giving their employees room to think, innovate and take risks. This book posits that traditional business models increasingly struggle in a modern, interconnected world and advises that companies must evolve and innovate to stay ahead of the curve. Taylor encourages leaders to challenge the status quo, step outside conventional ways of doing things, and unlock the power of their networks.
Taylor's most recent book, Creative Construction: The DNA of Sustained Innovation, makes the case for developing creative capacity in the workplace, which is essential for any organization that wishes to remain competitive. Taylor argues that creativity is an enabler of growth, a tool to solve problems and an agent of change, and he encourages companies to foster a creative culture within their organizations that allows employees to challenge and disrupt business processes. This book recognizes the limitations of top-down management structures and emphasizes the need for businesses to foster a culture of curiosity and collaboration for the long-term benefits of innovation.
In 2010, Taylor co-founded Upside, a popular mobile app developed to connect gig workers and on-demand workers directly with the larger business networks. Through Upside, workers are able to gain access to networks, skills development, advice and training. It helps them understand the economics of the workforce and provides a pathway to potentially high-value jobs. The app was acquired by Kabbage Inc in 2019.
In addition to his books and his business interests, Taylor is also a sought-after speaker. He has been invited to share his ideas at many of the world’s leading business schools, including Harvard Business School, Stanford University and The MIT Sloan School of Management. He often speaks about how the most successful businesses are the ones that embrace networks, focus on people skills, create new ways to work, and use innovative technology to drive growth.
William C. Taylor has become one of the world’s most respected business minds today through his insightful books, his work in the media industry, and his contributions to the study of the networked economy. His books have become standard business curriculum and have helped shape the way companies approach innovation and the power of networks to unlock potential. Through both his written works and his speaking engagements, Taylor is leading the way on how businesses can unlock the potential of their networks and become truly sustainable, innovative organizations.
