Good Strategy, Bad Strategy
Despite Rumelt’s lofty reputation in this crowded field, Good Strategy/Bad Strategy is his first book aimed at a general audience and only his second as a sole author since 1974. While he has vented about strategy in articles, in lectures and in advisory work for companies, he has bottled up plenty of frustration over the past decades. — Read the complete FT review
Synopsis
Even though everyone is talking about it, there is no concept in business today more muddled than ‘strategy’. Richard Rumelt, described by McKinsey Quarterly as ‘a giant in the field of strategy’ and ‘strategy’s strategist’, tackles this problem head-on in a jargon-free explanation of how to develop and take action on strategy, in business, politics and beyond.
Rumelt dispels popular misconceptions about strategy - such as confusing it with ambitions, visions or financial goals - by very practically showing that a good strategy focuses on the challenges a business faces, and providing an insightful new approach for overcoming them. His sharp analysis and his brilliant, bold style make his book stand out from its competitors (something that Rumelt himself says is crucial).
Rumelt has always challenged dominant thinking, ever since, in 1972, he was the first person to uncover a statistical link between corporate strategy and profitability - and this is his long-awaited tour de force.
