How Obama Won: Lessons for Businesses

I just finished reading Audacity to Win, David Plouffe’s new book on the 2008 Obama campaign. Plouffe was Barack Obama’s campaign manager, and gives a terrific insider’s view of the last presidential campaign in the USA. He explains that the Obama team viewed their operation as a startup business, and seen through this lens, the book has lots of interesting insights on how to successfully start and grow a new business in these times.

David Plouffe believes that they won because of two factors – one was the use of networking technologies and digital media in a very smart way. The other was the use of grassroots volunteers and a highly motivated young staff. The Obama website became the online home for millions of supporters and volunteers, and paid campaign staff, who were able to communicate with each other, and to feel part of the campaign at all levels. The entire operation became a community of practice, with information about budgets and strategy shared with all volunteers and staff on a daily basis. Care was given to alignment of all messaging. If Obama was giving a speech on healthcare, then all the ads and website posts that day were about healthcare. 

If you don’t have the time to read the book, David Plouffe gives a 56 minute talk to Google staff about the themes of the book that is posted on YouTube.  Spend an hour with this genius of oganization – it’s well worth it. (GW)

Authors at Google | David Plouffe | 12 November 2009