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Good Strategy/Bad Strategy

The Difference and Why It Matters

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 Good Strategy/Bad Strategy clarifies the muddled thinking underlying too many strategies and provides a clear way to create and implement a powerful action-oriented strategy for the real world.

Developing and implementing a strategy is the central task of a leader. A good strategy is a specific and coherent response to—and approach for—overcoming the obstacles to progress. A good strategy works by harnessing and applying power where it will have the greatest effect. Yet, Rumelt shows that there has been a growing and unfortunate tendency to equate Mom-and-apple-pie values, fluffy packages of buzzwords, motivational slogans, and financial goals with “strategy.”

In Good Strategy/Bad Strategy, he debunks these elements of “bad strategy” and awakens an understanding of the power of a “good strategy.” He introduces nine sources of power—ranging from using leverage to effectively focusing on growth—that are eye-opening yet pragmatic tools that can easily be put to work on Monday morning, and uses fascinating examples from business, nonprofit, and military affairs to bring its original and pragmatic ideas to life. The detailed examples range from Apple to General Motors, from the two Iraq wars to Afghanistan, from a small local market to Wal-Mart, from Nvidia to Silicon Graphics, from the Getty Trust to the Los Angeles Unified School District, from Cisco Systems to Paccar, and from Global Crossing to the 2007–08 financial crisis.

Reflecting an astonishing grasp and integration of economics, finance, technology, history, and the brilliance and foibles of the human character, Good Strategy/Bad Strategy stems from Rumelt’s decades of digging beyond the superficial to address hard questions with honesty and integrity. Economics Entrepreneurship Management & Leadership Personal Success Small Business & Entrepreneurship Business Management Leadership Innovation Career Military Technology Business Strategy Strategic Planning
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This book is exceptionally well Narrated. just the right flair to take what might be dry and instead bring it to life. feeding off the personality of the writer. so many amazing examples, even now after 4 times through and years of implementation, this book just keeps exposing hidden gems and ideas in my mind and business decisions. Worth 10x the price!

Actual Strategy

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This is the single best strategy book I've ever read, and I've read a lot! This book actually outlines in a clear way how to formulate a good business strategy, and how to avoid creating a bad one.. brilliant writing and deep thinking by the author, a strategy master, sharing his secret sauce to strategy. A must read.

Strategy formulation finally explained!

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It is a compelling and practical guide to understanding the essence of strategy, making it an essential read for business leaders and anyone tasked with tackling complex challenges.
Packed with real-world examples and a sharp critique of common strategic missteps.

Clarity and Focus: A Masterclass in Real Strategy

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Do you like thinking deeply? Challenging your assumptions or improving your judgement? Then this is the perfect book.

Filled with examples and case studies, the author methodically breaks down good and bad strategy. Some examples made me laugh out loud. A bank is a bank! Each example helps clarify and elaborate the underlying concepts.

The different chapters complement each other very well. Early chapters introduce key ideas that are expanded upon later. When the book returns to these topics they already make sense. The author continues to refine these earlier concepts even deeper. Each new idea strengthens the whole.

What could have been better? The final few chapters did not connect as well with the rest of the book. There were a few slower sections. Some simpler ideas may have had too many examples making them feel a little bogged down. This did not bother me much since the examples are interesting and enjoyable.

I would highly recommend this book to any leader or strategic thinker.

This is already one of my favourite business books

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Must read for anyone who wants to know more about strategy. Also last chapter will provide great insight into our market crashes and the failed strategies.

Very educational.

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