Strategy Hack: Start with the Essentials and Get Results

Richard Rumelt is one of the most influential thinkers in the world of strategy and management, author of the bestseller “Good Strategy, Bad Strategy,” explaining how to develop strategic skills as a leader and react promptly to problems that threaten the future success, and sometimes the very existence of a company. Strategy is a combination of policies and actions aimed at overcoming an important problem. It is not a goal or a desired end state. It is a form of solution; you cannot split a task that you do not realize or understand. Thus, a problem-based strategy starts with a broad description of the task and opportunities facing the organization. They may be related to competition, legislation, changes in social norms, or internal organizational issues. Delving into the task, the strategist looks for the key – the problem that is both critical and solvable. This narrowing down is a source of much of the strategist’s power, as the cornerstone of strategy becomes focus. The key steps in solving any strategic problem are diagnosing the situation (understanding what is happening), identifying the key, and then developing reasonable responsive actions. By reading this book, you will: learn what strategy is and what it is not; familiarize yourself with methods of diagnosing problems when developing strategy; focus on the essentials and create a strategy that is effective even in uncertain conditions. Additionally, you will find analyses of business cases and strategic decisions of companies such as SpaceX, Netflix, Marvel, Amazon, Apple, and others.

Difficulty: high

Duration: 7 hours