Lords of Strategy

Lords of Strategy

Author: Walter Kiechel

Publisher: Harvard Business Press

Published: 2010-03-03

Total Pages: 363

ISBN-13: 1422157318

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Imagine, if you can, the world of business - without corporate strategy. Remarkably, fifty years ago that's the way it was. Businesses made plans, certainly, but without understanding the underlying dynamics of competition, costs, and customers. It was like trying to design a large-scale engineering project without knowing the laws of physics. But in the 1960s, four mavericks and their posses instigated a profound shift in thinking that turbocharged business as never before, with implications far beyond what even they imagined. In The Lords of Strategy, renowned business journalist and editor Walter Kiechel tells, for the first time, the story of the four men who invented corporate strategy as we know it and set in motion the modern, multibillion-dollar consulting industry: Bruce Henderson, founder of Boston Consulting Group Bill Bain, creator of Bain & Company Fred Gluck, longtime Managing Director of McKinsey & Company Michael Porter, Harvard Business School professor Providing a window into how to think about strategy today, Kiechel tells their story with novelistic flair. At times inspiring, at times nearly terrifying, this book is a revealing account of how these iconoclasts and the organizations they led revolutionized the way we think about business, changed the very soul of the corporation, and transformed the way we work.


Book Synopsis Lords of Strategy by : Walter Kiechel

Download or read book Lords of Strategy written by Walter Kiechel and published by Harvard Business Press. This book was released on 2010-03-03 with total page 363 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Imagine, if you can, the world of business - without corporate strategy. Remarkably, fifty years ago that's the way it was. Businesses made plans, certainly, but without understanding the underlying dynamics of competition, costs, and customers. It was like trying to design a large-scale engineering project without knowing the laws of physics. But in the 1960s, four mavericks and their posses instigated a profound shift in thinking that turbocharged business as never before, with implications far beyond what even they imagined. In The Lords of Strategy, renowned business journalist and editor Walter Kiechel tells, for the first time, the story of the four men who invented corporate strategy as we know it and set in motion the modern, multibillion-dollar consulting industry: Bruce Henderson, founder of Boston Consulting Group Bill Bain, creator of Bain & Company Fred Gluck, longtime Managing Director of McKinsey & Company Michael Porter, Harvard Business School professor Providing a window into how to think about strategy today, Kiechel tells their story with novelistic flair. At times inspiring, at times nearly terrifying, this book is a revealing account of how these iconoclasts and the organizations they led revolutionized the way we think about business, changed the very soul of the corporation, and transformed the way we work.

Good Strategy Bad Strategy

Good Strategy Bad Strategy

Author: Richard Rumelt

Publisher: Currency

Published: 2011-07-19

Total Pages: 338

ISBN-13: 0307886239

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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.


Book Synopsis Good Strategy Bad Strategy by : Richard Rumelt

Download or read book Good Strategy Bad Strategy written by Richard Rumelt and published by Currency. This book was released on 2011-07-19 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.

Lords of Magic

Lords of Magic

Author: Joe Grant Bell

Publisher: Prima Games

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 9780761511472

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Designed from the beginning with multiple players in mind, Lords of Magic, the sequel to the highly acclaimed Lords of Realm II, supports up to four players over an IPX Network or two-player head-to-head battles via modem. With the help of this guide, gamers will master 11 battle tactics, lizards, and dark sorcery players.


Book Synopsis Lords of Magic by : Joe Grant Bell

Download or read book Lords of Magic written by Joe Grant Bell and published by Prima Games. This book was released on 1997 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Designed from the beginning with multiple players in mind, Lords of Magic, the sequel to the highly acclaimed Lords of Realm II, supports up to four players over an IPX Network or two-player head-to-head battles via modem. With the help of this guide, gamers will master 11 battle tactics, lizards, and dark sorcery players.

The Firm

The Firm

Author: Duff McDonald

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2014-09-30

Total Pages: 400

ISBN-13: 1439190984

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Star financial journalist Duff McDonald uncovers how the managing consulting firm of McKinsey & Company and its high-powered, high-priced business savants have ushered in waves of structural, financial, and technological shifts to the biggest and best American organizations, revealing a list of world-shaping successes and striking failures.


Book Synopsis The Firm by : Duff McDonald

Download or read book The Firm written by Duff McDonald and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2014-09-30 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Star financial journalist Duff McDonald uncovers how the managing consulting firm of McKinsey & Company and its high-powered, high-priced business savants have ushered in waves of structural, financial, and technological shifts to the biggest and best American organizations, revealing a list of world-shaping successes and striking failures.

Lords of the Realm II

Lords of the Realm II

Author: Bart Farkas

Publisher: Prima Games

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 172

ISBN-13: 9780761509479

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Life's tough in the 13th century: The peasants demand food, the blacksmith needs iron, the battles are bloody. Not to worry! GetLords of the Realm II: The Official Strategy Guideand learn: How to feed your people and forge your weapons Strategy options and their effects Details on weapons, castles, and terrain The art of diplomacy -- the velvet glove and the mailed fist The finer points of computer or head-to-head play About the Author Bart Farkasis Editor-in-Chief ofInside Mac Gamesand the author ofWing Commander IV Unauthorized Secrets and Solutions(Prima).


Book Synopsis Lords of the Realm II by : Bart Farkas

Download or read book Lords of the Realm II written by Bart Farkas and published by Prima Games. This book was released on 1997 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Life's tough in the 13th century: The peasants demand food, the blacksmith needs iron, the battles are bloody. Not to worry! GetLords of the Realm II: The Official Strategy Guideand learn: How to feed your people and forge your weapons Strategy options and their effects Details on weapons, castles, and terrain The art of diplomacy -- the velvet glove and the mailed fist The finer points of computer or head-to-head play About the Author Bart Farkasis Editor-in-Chief ofInside Mac Gamesand the author ofWing Commander IV Unauthorized Secrets and Solutions(Prima).

Lords of Finance

Lords of Finance

Author: Liaquat Ahamed

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 584

ISBN-13: 9781594201820

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Argues that the stock market crash of 1929 and subsequent Depression occurred as a result of poor decisions on the part of four central bankers who jointly attempted to reconstruct international finance by reinstating the gold standard.


Book Synopsis Lords of Finance by : Liaquat Ahamed

Download or read book Lords of Finance written by Liaquat Ahamed and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2009 with total page 584 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Argues that the stock market crash of 1929 and subsequent Depression occurred as a result of poor decisions on the part of four central bankers who jointly attempted to reconstruct international finance by reinstating the gold standard.

The Strategy-focused Organization

The Strategy-focused Organization

Author: Robert S. Kaplan

Publisher: Harvard Business Press

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 418

ISBN-13: 9781578512508

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A Powerful New Approach to Performance Management from the Creators of the Balanced Scorecard In Today's business environment, strategy has never been more important. Yet research shows that most companies fail to execute strategy successfully. Behind this abysmal track record lies an undeniable fact: many companies continue to use management processes-top-down, financially driven, and tactical-that were designed to run yesterday's organizations. Now, the creators of the revolutionary performance management tool called the Balanced Scorecard introduce a new approach that makes strategy a continuous process owned not just by top management, but by everyone. In The Strategy-Focused Organization, Robert Kaplan and David Norton share the results of ten years of learning and research into more than 200 companies that have implemented the Balanced Scorecard. Drawing from more than twenty in-depth case studies-including Mobil, CIGNA, Nova Scotia Power, and AT and T Canada-Kaplan and Norton illustrate how Balanced Scorecard adopters have taken their ground-breaking tool to the next level. These organizations have used the scorecard to create an entirely new performance management framework that puts strategy at the center of key management processes and systems. Kaplan and Norton articulate the five key principles required for building Strategy-Focused Organizations: (1) translate the strategy to operational terms, (2) align the organization to the strategy, (3) make strategy everyone's everyday job, (4) make strategy a continual process, and (5) mobilize change through strong, effective leadership. The authors provide a detailed account of how a range of organizations in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors have deployed these principles to achieve breakthrough, sustainable performance improvements. Presenting a practical, proven framework steeped in rich case study experience, The Strategy-Focused Organization helps solve a universal management problem-not just how to formulate strategy, but how to make it work. Building on one of the most revolutionary business ideas of our time, this important book shows how today's leaders can shape their own companies to meet the challenges and reap the rewards of a new competitive era.


Book Synopsis The Strategy-focused Organization by : Robert S. Kaplan

Download or read book The Strategy-focused Organization written by Robert S. Kaplan and published by Harvard Business Press. This book was released on 2001 with total page 418 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Powerful New Approach to Performance Management from the Creators of the Balanced Scorecard In Today's business environment, strategy has never been more important. Yet research shows that most companies fail to execute strategy successfully. Behind this abysmal track record lies an undeniable fact: many companies continue to use management processes-top-down, financially driven, and tactical-that were designed to run yesterday's organizations. Now, the creators of the revolutionary performance management tool called the Balanced Scorecard introduce a new approach that makes strategy a continuous process owned not just by top management, but by everyone. In The Strategy-Focused Organization, Robert Kaplan and David Norton share the results of ten years of learning and research into more than 200 companies that have implemented the Balanced Scorecard. Drawing from more than twenty in-depth case studies-including Mobil, CIGNA, Nova Scotia Power, and AT and T Canada-Kaplan and Norton illustrate how Balanced Scorecard adopters have taken their ground-breaking tool to the next level. These organizations have used the scorecard to create an entirely new performance management framework that puts strategy at the center of key management processes and systems. Kaplan and Norton articulate the five key principles required for building Strategy-Focused Organizations: (1) translate the strategy to operational terms, (2) align the organization to the strategy, (3) make strategy everyone's everyday job, (4) make strategy a continual process, and (5) mobilize change through strong, effective leadership. The authors provide a detailed account of how a range of organizations in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors have deployed these principles to achieve breakthrough, sustainable performance improvements. Presenting a practical, proven framework steeped in rich case study experience, The Strategy-Focused Organization helps solve a universal management problem-not just how to formulate strategy, but how to make it work. Building on one of the most revolutionary business ideas of our time, this important book shows how today's leaders can shape their own companies to meet the challenges and reap the rewards of a new competitive era.

Myth

Myth

Author: Bart Farkas

Publisher: San Francisco : Sybex

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 294

ISBN-13: 9780782121407

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This is the only authorized guide to Myth, to be published "day-and-date" with the game. Written with the full support of Bungie Software, this book contains in-depth strategies and tactics for every mission, behind-the-scenes information, original art from the game, and tips for multiplayer gaming and customization.


Book Synopsis Myth by : Bart Farkas

Download or read book Myth written by Bart Farkas and published by San Francisco : Sybex. This book was released on 1998 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the only authorized guide to Myth, to be published "day-and-date" with the game. Written with the full support of Bungie Software, this book contains in-depth strategies and tactics for every mission, behind-the-scenes information, original art from the game, and tips for multiplayer gaming and customization.

Tilt

Tilt

Author: Niraj

Publisher: Harvard Business Press

Published: 2013-10-15

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 1422187195

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Shift your strategy downstream. Why do your customers buy from you rather than from your competitors? If you think the answer is your superior products, think again. Products are important, of course. For decades, businesses sought competitive advantage almost exclusively in activities related to new product creation. They won by building bigger factories, by finding cheaper raw materials or labor, or by coming up with more efficient ways to move and store inventory—and by inventing exciting new products that competitors could not replicate. But these sources of competitive advantage are being irreversibly leveled by globalization and technology. Today, competitors can rapidly decipher and deploy the recipe for your product’s secret sauce and use it against you. “Upstream,” product-related advantages are rapidly eroding. This does not mean that competitive advantage is a thing of the past. Rather, its center has shifted. As marketing professor Niraj Dawar compellingly argues, advantage is now found “downstream,” where companies interact with customers in the marketplace. Tilt will help you grasp the global nature of this downstream shift and its profound implications for your strategy and your organization. With vivid examples from around the world, ranging across industries and sectors, Dawar shows how companies are reorienting their strategies around customer interactions to create and capture unique value. And he demonstrates how, unlike product-related advantage, this value is cumulative, continuously building over time. In an increasingly customer-centered world marketplace, let Tilt serve as your guide to shifting your strategy downstream—and achieving enduring competitive advantage.


Book Synopsis Tilt by : Niraj

Download or read book Tilt written by Niraj and published by Harvard Business Press. This book was released on 2013-10-15 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Shift your strategy downstream. Why do your customers buy from you rather than from your competitors? If you think the answer is your superior products, think again. Products are important, of course. For decades, businesses sought competitive advantage almost exclusively in activities related to new product creation. They won by building bigger factories, by finding cheaper raw materials or labor, or by coming up with more efficient ways to move and store inventory—and by inventing exciting new products that competitors could not replicate. But these sources of competitive advantage are being irreversibly leveled by globalization and technology. Today, competitors can rapidly decipher and deploy the recipe for your product’s secret sauce and use it against you. “Upstream,” product-related advantages are rapidly eroding. This does not mean that competitive advantage is a thing of the past. Rather, its center has shifted. As marketing professor Niraj Dawar compellingly argues, advantage is now found “downstream,” where companies interact with customers in the marketplace. Tilt will help you grasp the global nature of this downstream shift and its profound implications for your strategy and your organization. With vivid examples from around the world, ranging across industries and sectors, Dawar shows how companies are reorienting their strategies around customer interactions to create and capture unique value. And he demonstrates how, unlike product-related advantage, this value is cumulative, continuously building over time. In an increasingly customer-centered world marketplace, let Tilt serve as your guide to shifting your strategy downstream—and achieving enduring competitive advantage.

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II

Author: David S. J. Hodgson

Publisher: Prima Games

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 0761547487

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You are the Republic's only hope . . . or biggest threat. -Detailed stats, equipment, and ability descriptions for all party members -Covers all main allies and foes -Exhaustive Jedi Mastery helps you master each Jedi class -Detailed maps for every planet and location -Construct the ultimate weapon and armor kits with our expert workbench tips -All Secret Powers unearthed! -All Jedi Party Members Revealed! -The best ranged and melee weapons combat tested and approved!


Book Synopsis Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II by : David S. J. Hodgson

Download or read book Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II written by David S. J. Hodgson and published by Prima Games. This book was released on 2004 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: You are the Republic's only hope . . . or biggest threat. -Detailed stats, equipment, and ability descriptions for all party members -Covers all main allies and foes -Exhaustive Jedi Mastery helps you master each Jedi class -Detailed maps for every planet and location -Construct the ultimate weapon and armor kits with our expert workbench tips -All Secret Powers unearthed! -All Jedi Party Members Revealed! -The best ranged and melee weapons combat tested and approved!