Essential Reading

Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors
By Michael E. Porter

This book has transformed the theory, practice, and teaching of business strategy throughout the world. Electrifying in its simplicity -- like all great breakthroughs -- Porter's analysis of industries captures the complexity of industry competition in five underlying forces. Porter introduces one of the most powerful competitive tools yet developed: his three generic strategies -- lowest cost, differentiation, and focus -- which bring structure to the task of strategic positioning. He shows how competitive advantage can be defined in terms of relative cost and relative prices, thus linking it directly to profitability, and presents a whole new perspective on how profit is created and divided. In the almost two decades since publication, Porter's framework for predicting competitor behavior has transformed the way in which companies look at their rivals and has given rise to the new discipline of competitor assessment.

Strategy and Structure
By Alfred Dupont Chandler

This book shows how the seventy largest corporations in America have dealt with a single economic problem: the effective administration of an expanding business. The author summarizes the history of the expansion of the nation's largest industries during the past hundred years and then examines in depth the modern decentralized corporate structure as it was developed independently by four companies--du Pont, General Motors, Standard Oil (New Jersey), and Sears, Roebuck.

Hands-On Strategy: The Guide to Crafting Your Company's Future, 2nd Edition
By William C. Finnie

This book shows you how to combine the brilliant strategy concepts of the 1980s ( from Michael Porter and Russell Ackoff) and the 1990s (from Gary Hamel, C.K. Prahalad and many others) so your company can grow its value rapidly. The great contribution of the 1994 edition was to present a proven framework for strategy development. The completely rewritten 2nd edition presents a new, breakthrough approach to stategy implemenation plus new chapters on people driven strategy and leading change/result-based leadership.

The Strategy Process: Concepts, Context and Cases (3rd Edition)
By Henry Mintzberg, James Brian Quinn (Contributor)

This collection of readings, edited by Henry Mintzberg, is combined with cases from James Brian Quinn. Together they present an up–to–date look at how actual companies act strategically and the research driving them.

 

Marketing Strategy: A Decision-Focused Approach
By Orville C. Walker, Harper W., Jr Boyd, John Mullins, Jr., Harper Boyd, Jean-Claude Larreche

This book is a flexible, short, paper-back text which can be used on its own or packaged with a case book (Strategic Marketing Management Cases, by Cravens) or with a custom published case book. It covers the concepts and theories of creating and implementing a marketing strategy and offers a focus on the strategic planning process and marketing's cross/interfunctional relationships. This book helps the student integrate what they have learned about analytical tools and the 4Ps of marketing within a broader framework of competitive strategy.

Successful Marketing Strategy for High-Tech Firms
By By Orville C. Walker, Harper W., Jr Boyd, John Mullins, Jr., Harper Boyd, Jean-Claude Larreche

From analyzing competition and identifying market segments, to capitalizing on Internet marketing opportunities and creating valuable after-sale services, this practical new book helps you understand and apply marketing principles that are essential for success in designing high-tech product marketing strategies in today's fiercely competitive international marketplace.
Packed with contemporary real-world examples and focusing on the key success factors behind the management of leading global high-tech firms, the book helps both novice and veteran marketing professionals focus on the critical factors that can determine success or failure for high-tech products. You learn how to objectively evaluate and manage your company's technological and knowledge-based competencies, develop effective product and pricing strategies, more precisely target your marketing efforts, and utilize the very latest distribution and sales channels. Also included is an insightful look at the most effective positioning of the marketing department within the organization, and a step-by-step guide to writing a strategic marketing plan.

Competing on the Edge: Strategy as Structured Chaos
By Shona L. Brown, Kathleen M. Eisenhardt

There are books out there that discuss complexity theory well but management poorly, and there are also books that discuss management well but complexity theory poorly. This book is an exception in the field because it does a very nice job of discussing both. It is the blend of these two topics that makes it a nice read and a change of pace from other management reading.

Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge
By Etienne Wenger, Richard McDermott, William M. Snyder

The authors draw on the past to describe the usefulness of a community of practice. In the Stone Age knowledge was passed on to others while people gathered around a fire and discussed hunting strategies. A community of practice is a group of people who may be trying to solve a problem and who interact about a topic in order to deepen their knowledge. The aim is shared insight and information. The authors write that in the time of ancient Rome corporations of metalworkers, potters, masons and craftsmen formed communities with a combined business and social function. Moreover, in the Middle Ages artisans formed guilds as a way to share knowledge and experiences. Therefore, the authors argue that community as a basis for knowledge creation and management has a long historical tradition

The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China
By Ralph D. Sawyer (Translator), Mei-Chun Sawyer (Editor)

The first translation of the full body of ancient Chinese strategic wisdom, including Sun Tzu's Art of War and six other classics. Studied throughout Asia for its insights into decision-making, especially by business people.

 

Alexander the Great and the Logistics of the Macedonian Army
By Donald W. Engels

Alexander calculated every move to perfection. He made his own men carry their equipment rather than using servants or camp followers as was the norm with Greek armies. This made his army quick moving and lessened the mouths to feed. He then started his campaign before the Persians could use thier harvest to provision a fleet. Alexander was able to move his army through Anatolia siezing all the Persian ports and to put their navy out of buisness. He was then able to use his navy to supply his forces.

Thinking Visually : A Strategy Manual for Problem Solving
By Robert H. McKim

 

Cooperative Strategy: Competing Successfully Through Strategic Alliances
By Pierre Dussauge, Bernard Garrette, Pierre Dussuage

Strategic alliances are a crucial facet of business life as a means of growing market share, increasing profits, and more, but such alliances are never straightforward. This book makes it possible to anticipate, before an alliance is formed, what its evolution, outcome and consequences are likely to be. Managers will find in this book an analytical framework, making it possible to provide answers to the crucial questions taking into account the specific characteristics of each individual alliance.

The Board Member's Guide to Strategic Planning: A Practical Approach to Strengthening Nonprofit Organizations
By Fisher Howe, Alan Shrader

A quick compact guide for busy nonprofit board members by a veteran board member and sought-after consultant to nonprofits. Presenting illustrative examples and straightforward action steps, the book guides board members through each step of strategic planning, including planning meetings, using consultants and facilitators, and determining visions and values.