How can you avoid common mistakes in business strategy books?

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In my experience, researching an author's background before diving into a book is a prudent practice. For instance, when selecting a book on leadership, understanding the author's experience in executive roles and their contributions to the field added credibility to the insights shared. However, it's important to consider that an author's reputation might not always reflect the book's quality. Sometimes, lesser-known authors can provide fresh perspectives that challenge conventional thinking. Keeping an open mind and balancing author credentials with the book's content is essential for a well-rounded reading experience.

Avoid common mistakes in business strategy by critically assessing context-specific applicability, balancing theory with practical insights, staying updated on industry trends, and customizing strategic frameworks to suit your unique organizational needs and challenges.

Absolutely, assessing the author's credibility is a crucial step in avoiding common mistakes when selecting business strategy books. It's essential to ensure that the author has the necessary qualifications and experience in the field. A strong educational background and a track record of success or research in business strategy can indeed bolster their credibility. Being affiliated with reputable institutions, organizations, or publications also adds to their authority. Ultimately, by carefully evaluating the author's credentials and reputation, you can make more informed decisions when choosing business strategy books, and increase the likelihood of finding valuable and reliable insights.

One has to have a solid knowledge of strategy to be able to rate an author in terms of credibility. Business Strategy is a complex environment and it takes time to be framed up and digested.

One must be able to use common sense as well. Just because someone is an author does not make them a good leader or have leadership information or leadership skills to teach. I have read books and found that most of the written word was useless and full of fluff. Common sense and a little emotional intelligence goes along way in strategy. Personally I use common sense and intelligence before I decide on calling anyone a leader whether reading from a book or listening to them in person. I have met and learned from a dishwasher more about leadership than from the owner of a business or their so called managers. This all goes back to the old adage "Just because people hold a position or title does not make them a leader" Dr. Luciano Santini

Why does anyone write a How To book? I am always skeptical of authors in this area because instead of writing about it, they should be out doing it. If they are not...then why? If they HAVE become successful with their strategy, then why are they sharing, with potential competitors? Certainly, in our fast-paced world if they are writing about it and their past successes, chances are that the info may no longer be current.

Business strategy has evolved and due diligence should be exercised when engaging with a book or publication. One of the things I ask myself when reading one is: why did I choose this book? what do I want to achieve? how is this book different?

Strategy is one of those disciplines that you need to live and breathe for decades before you can really teach others. There is both an art and a science to strategy development and execution in order to be truly effective. Whether it’s the nuance of identifying the most impactful area of focus with the resources available covered in The Crux - or the fundamental basis and mathematics for identifying business moats/power in 7 Powers, learn from the greats in this field.

A common mistake is to apply the methodology of a business book that does not relate to the size of the company you are in. So one needs to pick the books or chapters relevant to each stage of growth of your business.

Monitoring and noting incidents at the workplace so that you manage future challenges, CRM is essential if it is not found you have to note it in whatever tool you use

I would not rely much on logic or common sense when it comes to business strategy since our human reference system and the complexity layers of a strategy are quite different, but I am always seeking the cause-and-effect relationship and try to keep myself out of cognitive biases when I am concluding a book.

Strategy isn't like a compass which will show you the true North. Its important to understand the author's thought in the specific backdrop of situation and events. A rule book of Strategy doesn't necessarily fit even business hence contextualisation is essential

Avoiding common mistakes in business strategy books involves critical reading. Look for books that provide practical, actionable insights rather than just theoretical concepts. Beware of oversimplified solutions to complex problems and one-size-fits-all strategies. Assess the author's credibility and consider whether the content is based on real-world experience. Additionally, critically evaluate the book's relevance to your specific industry or situation. By approaching business strategy books with a discerning eye and focusing on practicality and applicability, you can make better use of your reading time and avoid common pitfalls.

If you read one business strategy book, then be sure to read many business strategy books. There's never one universal best approach / answer - only you know what your environment, constraints, opportunities, and objectives are (or should be). By expanding your awareness with a diverse range of business strategy books, you'll better appreciate the many options, levers and perspectives. Then, go ahead and extract and create the approach that works best for your business!

Look especially critically at "flavor du jour" strategy books that seem to be all the rage every couple of years - the ones that everyone is reading and talking about. There can be some great insights to be gleaned from these books, but many organizational leaders latch onto them as a panacea and try to restructure everything around the latest strategy fad that may or may not work well within their environment. Often, these books are forgotten just as quickly as the next trend emerges, and businesses get whiplash from constantly implementing changes that many employees never truly understand beyond the buzzwords. Instead look for the underlying commonalities, core fundamentals, and foundational truths and apply them consistently.