BOOK REVIEW: “Making Strategy Work: Leading Effective Execution and Change” by Lawrence G. Hrebiniak (2005)

“Making Strategy Work” is a fairly long, but easily readable book, by Lawrence Hrebiniak, a professor at Wharton University, and consultant.  The book draws on the author’s 25 years’ experience of teaching senior executives, and the underlying premise that runs throughout it is that, while setting a strategy is a good thing, it is the execution that is crucial for the success of an organization.  Successful execution requires that a company looks very closely at such things, as power within the firms, and how to manage change. 

BOOK REVIEW “Competitive Strategy” by Michael Porter (1998)

Written in 1980, Competitive Strategy, has formed the basis of modern strategic thinking for three decades. Amazon says that the book is now in its 60^th edition and has been translated into 19 languages. It is still a great book to read though the recent bankruptcy of Michael Porter’s company, Monitor Group, has someone tarnised the image of the management guru. 

The best is yet to come

Exhausted after the Christmas holiday?

It is always surprising to see just how tired people look after the Christmas holiday. The very idea of a holiday is that you rest. None of us do that though. We all hurry round from family to friends in a mad dash to see everyone we know and to stock up on as many calories as possible.  What we should be doing is taking it easy so that we can get our strength back so that we can make it through the dark months ahead.

Sent from my iPad : the legacy of Steve Jobs

One evening, when I was an undergraduate student in the UK, I met a friend in a state of mild shock. He was studying Politics at the time and hoping to soon begin an illustrious career making important decisions for the country. As he had been walking across campus that afternoon, somebody had stopped him to ask where the Computer Science department could be found.