Strategy in Practice

The 2nd edition of Strategy in Practice presents a practitioner focused approach to strategy. It is increasingly recognised that the ability to adapt classic formulas to changing circumstances and develop fast, sound strategic thinking is what differentiates the successful corporate leader. Developed from experience in industry this successful text will include an instructor site with PowerPoint slides, extra examples and exercises, and links highlighting changing business practice. While rigorously founded on current thinking and theoretical concepts in the field of strategic management it aims to: provide the strategy practitioner with a systematic and insight-driven approach to strategic thinking establish and translate the relevance of strategy theory to its application in the practice field lead the reader through the strategic thinking process, beginning with the formulation of compelling and clearly articulated strategic questions that set the scene for practical issues provide tools of strategic analysis in combination with informed intuition to understand the strategic landscape.

The 2nd edition of Strategy in Practice presents a practitionerfocused approach to strategy. It is increasingly recognised thatthe ability to adapt classic formulas to changing circumstances anddevelop fast, sound strategic thinking is what differentiates thesuccessful corporate leader.
Developed from experience in industry this successful text willinclude an instructor site with PowerPoint slides, extra examplesand exercises, and links highlighting changing businesspractice.

While rigorously founded on current thinking and theoreticalconcepts in the field of strategic management it aims to:

* provide the strategy practitioner with a systematic andinsight-driven approach to strategic thinking

* establish and translate the relevance of strategy theoryto its application in the practice field

* lead the reader through the strategic thinking process,beginning with the formulation of compelling and clearlyarticulated strategic questions that set the scene for practicalissues

* provide tools of strategic analysis in combination withinformed intuition to understand the strategic landscape.

Preface to the First Edition vii

Preface to the Second Edition xiii

About the Author xvii

1 Introduction to Strategy in Practice and Strategic Thinking1

2 Articulating the Strategic Question 25

3 Sense Making and Strategic Insight 47

4 Insight-Driven Strategic Analysis 77

5 Strategic Analysis II: High-Level Sense Making 95

6 Strategic Analysis III: Supporting-Level Sense Making 143

7 Strategy Formation and Evaluation of Strategic Options 185

8 Insight-Driven Strategy in Perspective 213

Appendices: Putting Strategy to Practice 235

Appendix A: Probing the Strategic Boundaries of the Firm'sUnique Competing Space 237

Appendix B: Strategy Mapping and Narrative (based on Analysis ofthe Relevant Strategy Building Blocks) 247

Index 257