Strategic thinking and practice-Vasilis Papadakis
Selecting the appropriate strategy and determining the strategic plan to execute it are the foundations of competitiveness, growth and sustainability of contemporary business organizations. Therefore, the effectiveness and success of executives rests on their ability to identify opportunities, set priorities and develop a coherent strategic plan in an admittedly ambiguous, fast-changing, complex and highly competitive business environment.
This book is not for scholars only. On the contrary, it is a valuable practical guide that helps executives to develop strategic thinking and coherent strategic plans; it also provides tools for strategic analysis and methods for making strategic decisions.
So, if executives and managers regardless of their hierarchical level are looking for a short, comprehensible, articulate and practical book that will guide them through the business strategy field, then they should definitely give it a read. The basics of strategic theory are presented concisely but thoroughly. Each chapter begins with either thought questions or a case study presentation, upon which the reader is invited to reflect. Following, is the description of a theoretical concept and the link between the case study and the thought questions. The chapters typically conclude with an exercise that is meant to demonstrate the connection with the everyday business life. Thus, it establishes and translates the relevance of strategy theory to its application in the practice field.
In more detail, drawing from current thinking and theoretical concepts in the field of strategic management, the book contributes to the development of:
- Strategic thinking process, beginning with the formulation of compelling and clearly articulated strategic questions that set the scene for practical issue
- Strategic analysis of the relevant data in order to better understand the strategic landscape
- Strategic decision-making skills
- Strategic planning and effective strategy execution.
