Strategic Management: Strategists at Work

Description

Focusing on the practicalities of developing business strategy, this textbook provides an intuitive approach to developing a strategic plan. The authors share what they have learned through two decades of strategy work with a myriad of organisations, presenting theory and delivering key insights into the strategist's role. The authors demonstrate their unique Strategy Cycle approach, which combines strategic logic (in the form of detailed plans) with the aesthetic, creative and interpretive process of bringing a strategy to life by storytelling. They examine familiar planning tools to identify where value truly lies, while introducing new ideas and methods, culminating in a simple and succinct 10-component strategy. Visit the authors' website at strategystory.co.uk

Robert MacIntosh is Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law, Northumbria University. Donald MacLean is Professorial Research Fellow in the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow, UK. Craig Robinson is Reader in Business Education at King's Business School, King's College London.

It has a very accessible writing style and blends well-established models, theory and research with real world practice. As a previous industry practitioner, I welcome textbooks that bring the subject to life for students! The updated version clearly acknowledges the most recent developments, such as technology, that have impacted strategy and strategic management, as well as recognising and embedding Covid in the discussion where appropriate. -- Alison Ashby, Lecturer, University of Exeter * Manuscript review * It is a very enjoyable book to read. It matches my own thoughts and priorities in the teaching of strategy. -- James Cunningham, Academic Team Lead, Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University * Draft manuscript review * It offers four really useful things which many strategy textbooks (and textbooks generally) often lack: 1. Its style is very readable and engaging. 2. Though it covers theory, it is firmly rooted in a pragmatic approach. 3. It offers constructive critique of the field as well as just presenting models. 4. I am in full agreement with the concept of its central theme of 'Strategy as Storytelling' ('Bardic' strategy as it is termed in the book). -- James Fowler, Lecturer, University of Essex * Draft manuscript review * I find the writing style very engaging. It is different to the styles of other textbooks and refreshing in this sense. -- Michael Mayer, Professor, University of Bath * Draft manuscript review * The book offers a comprehensive view of the key topics in strategic management. It is well written and uses simple language and avoids citing unnecessary references (as observed in many textbooks), which can distract the reader. It has some good features that increase the relevance of strategy (to the students), for example the Do/Do Not list. -- Omar F. Al-Tabbaa, Senior Lecturer, University of Kent * Draft manuscript review *