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Playing to Win
How Strategy Really Works
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Check link for latest rating. ( 8,721 ratings, 499 reviews)
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
If strategy is about creating a competitive advantage that allows a firm to win, then pinpointing your strategy to a few critically important choices will dramatically increase your chances of success. This is especially true in the volatile and complex environment that has become the norm for all of us. Yet the authors of Playing to Win
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Description
In Playing to Win, A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin bring forward a powerful framework for guiding strategy that is grounded in real-world business practices. The book stems from the profound insights and experiences of Lafley, the former CEO of Procter & Gamble, and Martin, the esteemed Dean of the Rotman School of Management. Together, they explore the core principles and tactics that culminate in creating a sustainable competitive advantage for any firm.
This masterpiece reveals a set of strategic choices essential for any business aiming to achieve and sustain success, especially in today's volatile and complex business environment. Lafley and Martin argue that most companies shy away from making difficult strategic choices and instead opt for generic, less effective strategies that can lead to significant setbacks.
The book is structured around a practical five-step process that any company can use to guide its growth strategy. Through detailed case studies, primarily from Procter & Gamble's transformation under Lafley's leadership, readers will learn how to identify critical goals, determine where to play, how to win, and the key capabilities required to achieve these goals. Lafley and Martin elucidate these concepts through vivid storytelling, making the book both insightful and engaging.
Where to Play and How to Win: The core of the book addresses two crucial questions – where should we compete, and how can we win there? These questions form the bedrock of any effective business strategy, and the authors provide a roadmap for answering them with precision and clarity.
Creating Unique Capabilities: The authors also delve into the development of unique capabilities that give a competitive edge. By focusing on what makes a company distinct, firms can build skills and resources tailored to their strategic goals.
Proven Success Stories: Through a series of success stories and real-world examples, predominantly from Procter & Gamble's vast portfolio, Lafley and Martin provide actionable insights and lessons that business leaders can apply in their own strategic planning processes.
Playing to Win is not just another business book on strategy; it is a deeply researched blueprint for achieving sustainable success in an ever-changing market landscape. The authors' combined experience and their proven track record of transforming one of the world's most significant companies make this book an invaluable resource for CEOs, managers, and anyone involved in business strategy.
Whether you are a seasoned executive or an aspiring business leader, Playing to Win offers practical guidance and strategic wisdom to help you make the right choices for your company's future.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Playing to Win by Roger L. Martin and A.G. Lafley has received significant praise for its clear, concise, and practical approach to business strategy. Esteemed reviewers, including those from TIME, Washington Post, and Forbes, laud the book as highly insightful, offering rigorous and substantive advice on crafting winning strategies. It has been described as a rare and valuable manual that combines theoretical depth with practical examples, making it a must-read for business leaders and strategists.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781422187395
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 05 February 2013
Country: United States
Imprint: Harvard Business Review Press
Illustration: Illustrations
Audience: Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 30.0mm
Width: 155.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 496g
Pages: 272
About the Author
A.G. Lafley has been named the new Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of Procter & Gamble, where he previously served as CEO from 2000-2009. Under Lafley's leadership, P&G's sales doubled, its profits quadrupled, its market value increased by more than $100 billion, and its portfolio of billion-dollar brands-like Tide, Pampers, Olay, and Gillette-grew from 10 to 24 as a result of his focus on winning strategic choices, consumer-driven innovation, and reliable, sustainable growth.
Roger Martin is Dean of the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and an adviser to CEOs on strategy, design, innovation, and integrative thinking. In 2011, Roger was named by Thinkers50 as the sixth top management thinker in the world. This is his eighth book; he also contributes regularly to Harvard Business Review, the Financial Times, and the Washington Post, among others. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an AB in economics from Harvard College.
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