Routledge Demystifying Your Business Strategy

While scores of strategic management books have been written, many books fail to take into consideration the influences that shape and constrain managers’ ability to formulate and execute well-thought out strategies. Demystifying Your Business Strategy acknowledges and harnesses those influences, providing practitioners with a helpful new approach to developing and maintaining a competitive advantage. In this book, David Lei and John W. Slocum offer readers a comprehensive overview of the drivers of evolutionary advantage, recognizing that sources of competitive advantage for any organization will necessarily shift and evolve in response to changes in the industry environment. Demystifying Your Business Strategy also offers practical insights on how to spot "inflection points" of strategic transition and identify signals that indicate when an organization needs to develop a new source of competitive advantage. With in-depth discussion of the four different types of business strategies that many firms pursue and the strategic disciplines that support them, this book can provide significant insight and direction to managers at all levels within an organization. Review "Loaded with clear and engaging examples, but also grounded in rigorous research, this book takes the mystery--as well as the customary complexity--out of business strategy. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business unit head, or CEO, Lei and Slocum provide an invaluable roadmap for designing and executing your way forward." Donald Hambrick, The Pennsylvania State University "David Lei and John Slocum have written a useful and practical book to help readers understand strategy. The explanations are clear and the how-to's will benefit any organization. They've taken what can be a very complex subject and simplified it for a reader with any level of knowledge. Read and apply!" Sue Annis Hammond, author The Thin Book of Appreciative Inquiry "This is an insightful and potent book that provides a firm grasp on the critical issues related to crafting and executing a business strategy. We are using concepts discussed in the book to sustain our competitive advantage and grow the business. I recommend anyone thinking about their business' future should read this." Mike McGuire, President, Andrews Distributing Company "Demystifying Your Business Strategy is a highly enjoyable book that illustrates the many dimensions of business strategy and how companies can use them to fuel their own growth and avoid strategic missteps. This book provides candid and provocative advice for managers crafting their organizations business strategy and is based on hard earned wisdom and solid research." Todd Diener, President, Chili's Restaurants '98-'09 "Demystifying Your Business Strategy points out the value of a business having a clear strategy that focuses on its customers. It emphasizes that the business strategy must be well understood by all employees. It also emphasizes that management must care equally about the company’s customers and fellow workers. All in all, this book gets it." Carl Sewell, Chairman, Sewell Automotive Companies and author of Customers for Life About the Author David Lei is Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. He has authored/co-authored over 40 articles and consulted with numerous organizations on issues related to strategic planning and strategic renewal. John W. Slocum is Professor Emeritus at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. A former President of the Academy of Management, he is the Associate Editor of Organizational Dynamics, Journal of World Business, and Journal of Leadership & Organization Studies, and has written 24 management textbooks.