Results are in for Bain's global Management Tools and Trends survey. This year's survey of 1,221 global executives found four strong themes: 1) Focusing on the customer, 2) Looking outside the organization to innovate and grow, 3) Complementing cost-cutting with other measures, and 4) Using "Power Tools"  such as the consistently popular strategic planning and customer relationship management. 

Today, executives around the world are using more tools than when last surveyed in 2004. They averaged 15 tools in 2006, up from 13 in 2004. This increase was especially prevalent among small and midsize companies, both of which had significantly reduced tool usage in 2004. But while companies are employing more tools, they appear to be finding them less effective.

Learn more on www.bainmanagementtools.com or read Management Tools and Trends 2007.