Strategic Reading

Valuable insights and practical tools by Richard Rumelt

Call To Strategy — Feb 2023

Richard Rumelt is a renowned strategy expert, author, and professor. He has written several books on strategy, including "Good Strategy/Bad Strategy" and "The Crux".

He is widely recognized for his work in the field of strategy and his contributions to the development of the "kernel" concept of strategy. Rumelt's work is characterized by a focus on the importance of deep understanding and a clear diagnosis of the underlying dynamics of a problem, as well as the development of concrete and coherent action plans. He is a sought-after speaker and consultant and continues to be an influential figure in the field of strategy and management.

Both Good Strategy/Bad Strategy and The Crux address the topic of solving business problems, but they take different approaches and offer different insights.

Good Strategy/Bad Strategy focuses specifically on the topic of strategy and provides a definition of what constitutes a good strategy, as well as what differentiates it from a bad strategy. The book emphasizes the importance of a clear diagnosis of the problem, a guiding policy for dealing with it, and concrete action. The author provides practical tools for developing and evaluating strategies.

The Crux, on the other hand, takes a more comprehensive look at the process of solving business problems. The author argues that most business problems are complex and interconnected, and therefore, require a deeper understanding of the underlying dynamics. The book offers a framework for diagnosing the crux of a problem and provides practical tools for developing and implementing solutions. The author emphasizes the importance of considering the broader context, including the company's goals, resources, and constraints, when developing a strategy.

In conclusion, Good Strategy/Bad Strategy focuses specifically on strategy, while The Crux offers a more comprehensive approach to solving business problems. Both books offer valuable insights and practical tools, and they complement each other in their coverage of the topic.