The author provides a definition of strategy as it, “…is the
plans, choices and decisions used to guide a company to greater profitability
and success”. Strong strategies create higher levels of outputs while poor
strategies often fail in their ability to meet defined goals. Such strategies
should be well thought out and the alternatives should be weighed.
Henri Fayol, who established the classical school of
management around 1910, developed some general management activities that fit
within five sections: planning, organizing, commanding, co-coordinating and
controlling:
-Planning:
Understanding the organization and developing plans of action that leads to a
stronger future.
-Organizing:
Organizing includes the pulling together of resources to make the plan
successful.
-Commanding:
Commanding can be seen as leading people through giving them appropriate
direction to make the plan work. Leaders can make things happen.
-Coordinating:
Coordinating involves ensuring that all people efforts, factors, and resources
are put together in the most beneficial manner.
-Controlling:
Controlling entails ensuring that the process is moving along properly and is
adjusted when necessary. It is possible to use feedback mechanisms,
re-evaluation of strategy and other aspects in this area.
The book also discusses strategic innovation. According to
the Talent foundation there are five catalysts for strategic innovation that
include the following:
-Consciousness: Everyone
knows the strategy and believes they can follow it.
-Multiplicity:
Groups have a wide varied of skills, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas.
-Connectivity:
People have positive trusting relationships with each other.
-Accessibility:
People have access to each other and the resources they need to make their
parts successful.
-Consistency: There is a strong commitment to innovation
regardless of the situation.
The book not only provides strong consideration of strategy
and innovation but also provides a number of case examples for readers
visualize this information. Business students and managers would find the book
beneficial for their understanding. It can be a touch dry in its reading but
that is what business books are by their nature. The author provides a number
of references for those who are interested in additional information.
Kourdi, J. (2009). Business
strategy-a guide to taking your business forward. London, UK: Profile Books
LTD. ISBN: 978 1 84668 124 0
Price:
$22.00
Pages: 233
You purchase the book HERE
