In 'Good Strategy Bad Strategy', Richard Rumelt dismantles the myth of the ‘strategic plan’ and reveals the core of effective strategy-making. He emphasizes the importance of clear objectives and the ability to identify critical issues rather than simply relying on broad visions. Through compelling examples and insights, Rumelt illustrates the pitfalls of vague ambitions and highlights the necessity of tough choices. Readers will discover how to differentiate between genuine strategy and superficial platitudes. This enlightening read will challenge your perspective on success and equip you with the tools to develop robust strategies.
By Richard Rumelt
Published: 2011
"Good strategy requires a clear understanding of the challenges at hand and a coherent plan to address them. Bad strategy, on the other hand, often masks itself with buzzwords and lists of goals, lacking the necessary substance to guide action."
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.
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“Good strategy requires a clear understanding of the challenges at hand and a coherent plan to address them. Bad strategy, on the other hand, often masks itself with buzzwords and lists of goals, lacking the necessary substance to guide action.”
Good Strategy Bad Strategy
By Richard Rumelt
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Richard Rumelt is an esteemed professor of business strategy at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a prominent thought leader in the field of strategic management. He is best known for his influential book, 'Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters,' which has been widely acclaimed for its clarity and insight into the nature of effective strategy formulation. Rumelt's writing style is characterized by a sharp analytical approach and a focus on practical applications of strategic principles, making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience. His contributions to the field extend beyond his authored works, as he has played a vital role in advancing strategic thinking through various academic publications and consulting engagements.
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