Summary Outthink The Competition

The must-read summary of Kaihan Krippendorff's book: "Outthink the Competition: How a New Generation of Strategist Sees Options Other Ignore". This complete summary of the ideas from Kaihan Krippendorff's book "Outthink the Competition" shows that the best way to win in any game of strategy is to be so unconventional that you disorient your competition. The author explains that doing this will ensure that your competitors are unable to respond effectively. This summary highlights the four things you must do in order to outthink your competitors and how you can apply each of them to your strategic game. Added-value of this summary: • Save time • Understand key concepts • Expand your knowledge To learn more, read "Outthink the Competition" and follow the four simple steps that will keep your competitors guessing!

A Fast Company blogger and former McKinsey consultant profiles the next generation business strategists: the "Outthinkers" "Outthinkers" are entrepreneurs and corporate leaders with a new playbook. They see opportunities others ignore, challenge dogma others accept as truth, rally resources others cannot influence, and unleash new strategies that disrupt their markets. Outthink the Competition proves that business competition is undergoing a fundamental paradigm shift and that during such revolutions, outthinkers beat traditionalists. Outthink the Competition presents stories of breakthrough companies like Apple, Google, Vistaprint, and Rosetta Stone whose stunning performances defy traditional explanation and will inspire readers to outthink the competition. Core concepts in the book include: Discover the Eight Dimensions of Disruption Learn to play by the Outthinker Playbook Develop the Five Habits of the Outthinker Implement the Outthinker Process It's time to buck tradition in order to stay ahead. Outthink the competition and uncover opportunities hiding in plain sight.

Now is the time to break the addiction to business- as-usual. In the face of disruption, you can't fall back on the tried-and-true rules that worked in the past. Competitors are no longer confined to your industry. The game has changed and a new playbook is needed to succeed. Outthink the Competition: How Innovative Companies and Strategists See Options Others Ignore, by business strategist, NYU Professor, Fast Company blogger, Kaihan Krippendorff is this strategic playbook. The Outthinker Process is a proven repeatable system that will let you and your team harness strategic creativity, activate innovation, and create a differentiated strategy prepared to take on the uncertain future. Since the release of the first edition of Outthink the Competition (Wiley, 2011), more than $2.5B in new revenue has been created by clients using the methodology and tools at some of the most recognizable organizations in the world including Bank of America, CVS Health, L'Oreal, Microsoft, TIAA, and Viacom. The second edition of Outthink the Competition includes strategic industry reports-- key trends and a business model analysis of where opportunity for disruption lies. It also explores new stories of lesser-known breakthrough companies such as PillPack, Flatiron Heath, and Lemonade Insurance along with updates on well-known disruptors like Google, Netflix, and Aldi. These companies' stunning performances defy traditional explanation and will inspire readers to outthink the competition. Core concepts in the book include: - The Outthinker Process: A repeatable framework for developing strategic plans, filling your innovation options portfolio, and experimenting and testing ideas before they come to life - The Eight Dimensions of Strategic Innovation (8Ps): position, product, promotion, price, placement, physical experience, process, and people - The Five Stratagems that are most used by winning companies today - A common language that your team and organization can use to talk about strategy and innovation Companies and individuals that succeed in today's rapidly transforming business environment are those that can see overlooked opportunities, leverage underutilized resources, and seize asymmetric advantages. This book is both an entertaining and educational resource that teaches these skills.

The must-read summary of Michel Robert's book: "Strategy Pure and Simple II: How Winning Companies Dominate Their Competitors". This complete summary of the ideas from Michel Robert's book "Strategy Pure and Simple II" shows that all successful companies share one trait: they are able to think strategically and long term. Unsuccessful companies become bogged down in procedure and operational issues. In his book, the author explains that thinking strategically is not difficult, and can be achieved by following very simple steps. This summary presents Robert's theory in logical stages and will teach you how to learn and apply his advice for guaranteed success. Added-value of this summary: • Save time • Understand key concepts • Expand your knowledge To learn more, read "Strategy Pure and Simple II" and discover how you can learn from the best businesses to make the most of your expertise and resources.

Supplying you with a firm grasp of the roots of strategy, How to Outthink, Outmaneuver, and Outperform Your Competitors: Lessons from the Masters of Strategy explains how to develop the skills and strategies needed to compete in today’s volatile marketplace. It interweaves the classic works of the masters of strategy, such as Sun Tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, Mao Tse-tung, Niccolo Machiavelli, Frederick the Great, Napoleon, and other renowned strategists. The collective insights of these legendary strategists span 2,500 of combative history and have survived meticulous analysis by scholars. Applied to current competitive business conditions, their time-tested rules and guidelines will prepare you to deal with such issues as: preventing competitors from disrupting your overall growth plans, protecting yourself from a rival’s take-over strategies, and strengthening long-term customer relationships. Whether you operate as a multinational firm maneuvering for position in a global arena, or a regional business fighting an everyday battle for survival, the foundational principles provided can reinforce your understanding and practice of strategy. The book defines the historical origins of strategy and supplies timeless insight into how successful leaders have implemented comprehensive strategy plans. It also explains how to: Maneuver out of risky competitive situations and into renewed market opportunities Establish a defensible position in a hotly-contested market Apply competitive business techniques to outperform your rivals Align competitive strategies with your organization’s culture Personalize a leadership style to maximize performance from your staff The book includes three special features: Strategy Diagnostic Tool—A structured system to help you assess your firm’s competitiveness before committing valuable resources. Appraising Internal and External Conditions—A comprehensive checklist to analyze those key factors that can determine the success of your business plan. Strategy Action Plan—A tested format that includes step-by-step guidelines to develop a personalized business plan. The lessons gleaned from military history and strategy can be indispensable in the everyday management of your people and resources. By tapping into the universal logic and historic lessons of strategy, you will fortify your ability to think like a master strategist and add greater precision to your decision-making—thereby allowing you to outthink, outmaneuver, and outperform your competition.

The must-read summary of Mark Hughes' book "Buzzmarketing: Get People to Talk About Your Stuff". This complete summary of the ideas from Mark Hughes' book "Buzzmarketing" explains that there’s just so much background noise and clutter now that traditional advertising isn’t as effective as it once was. In 2004 alone, American companies spent over $235 billion on marketing – more than the entire GDP of Mexico. To add to the problem, technology now makes it easy for consumers to skip commercials and block intrusive ads. It isn’t feasible to market the traditional way anymore. This summary shows that you can generate better results using media attention and word-of-mouth endorsements. Buzzmarketing is all about capturing the attention of consumers and the media by making your brand or your company entertaining, fascinating or newsworthy. Added-value of this summary: • Save time • Understand the key concepts • Increase your knowledge To learn more, read "Buzzmarketing" and discover the key principles that will get more people talking about your company and your products!

Become a Dominant Predator in today’s dog-eat-dog sales environment There’s a hard fact that we all have to face: Buyers have evolved. They’ve become shopaholics. They almost never consider a single vendor when making a buying decision. Instead, they call you— and your competitors—and choose from multiple options. They know that pitting you against your competition always works to their benefit. In today’s sales environment, only the strongest and smartest live to sell another day. Master sales strategist Landy Chase calls these top performers dominant predators— salespeople who consistently win business, at higher prices, by crushing the competition at every turn. He knows exactly how they do it because he’s the one who teaches them how to do it. Now, it’s your turn. In Competitive Selling, Chase reveals the master strategy of the dominant predator, offering a proven, step-by-step process for entering the fray as a prepared and confident warrior. You’ll learn how to: Identify your competition before meeting with the buyer Open competitive selling opportunities Out-flank your competitors using the Client Needs Analysis Eliminate competitors without badmouthing them Stand out to the decision makers Win sales even as the higher-priced option It’s a jungle out there. The goal in today’s winner-take-all world of selling is to make every selling opportunity an unfair fight—in your favor. You have to adapt to your surroundings and take control of your environment. Be assured, your competitors are out there trying to do the same thing. Competitive Selling provides the techniques and skills for seizing the advantage before they even see you coming.

The must-read summary of Dave Anderson's book: "If You Don't Make Waves You'll Drown: 10 Hard-Charging Strategies for Leading in Politically Correct Times". This complete summary of the ideas from Dave Anderson's book "If You Don't Make Waves You'll Drown" shows that political correctness is draining the health and vitality out of many businesses because it encourages managers to patronise weak performers, thus dis-incentivising employees to achieve more. It also praises conformity rather than innovation. Instead, companies should create an environment where high-performance is celebrated and exceptional results are applauded. This summary puts forward a radical program to get the full potential of every employee. It suggests that executives stop trying to make everyone happy: always treat people with respect, but give them expectations and celebrate those who meet those expectations. Always be honest with people, and be specific in your feedback. Never give across the board bonuses: they should be performance-based. Think about your own role as a thermostat rather than a thermometer – you should be controlling the business environment, not passively standing by. Ideally, business processes should be structured to avoid burnout, so that you don’t sacrifice long-term productivity for short-term speed. This summary sets out a manifesto for improving company performance and increasing morale. By following this plan, employees will be motivated to perform better and will reap benefits themselves. Added-value of this summary: • Save time • Understand the key concepts • Increase your business knowledge To learn more, read "If You Don't Make Waves You'll Drown" and motivate your employees to increase the performance of your business.