Smart Big Moves : The Secrets of Successful Strategic Shifts

'Smart Big Moves' uses the fictionalized story of the ups and downs of a real company to show you how best to respond to the big challenges every company - be it a huge multinational or a small start-up - faces from time to time. The book shows you how to make smart big moves that will keep you ahead of the game. Cover......Page 1 Smart Big Moves......Page 4 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 Chapter 1 Finding a New Game......Page 20 Beware Opportunistic Hubris......Page 21 Wipro: Opportunism and Experience......Page 23 Experience-based Entrepreneurship......Page 31 Secrets of Finding a New Game......Page 35 Chapter 2 Going for Growth......Page 40 Beware Inside-out Projection......Page 41 Apple: Not Projection but Customer Value Creation......Page 45 Value-creating Roll-out......Page 53 Secrets of Going for Growth......Page 59 Chapter 3 Getting Back into Shape......Page 64 Beware Narcissistic Denial......Page 65 HSBC: Not Denial but Reality......Page 69 Real Realignment......Page 76 Secrets of Getting Back into Shape......Page 83 Chapter 4 Relaunching Growth......Page 88 Beware ‘Me Too’ Imitation......Page 89 Dow Corning: Not Imitation but Distinctiveness......Page 92 Distinctive Repositioning......Page 97 Secrets of Relaunching Growth......Page 102 Chapter 5 Restoring Profitability......Page 108 Beware Raising the Stakes......Page 109 ABB: Not More Risk but Bold Simplicity......Page 113 Bold Restructuring......Page 121 Secrets of Restoring Profitability......Page 126 Chapter 6 Secrets of Smart Big Moves......Page 132 Smart Strategy Think Smart Before Acting Big......Page 135 Smart Psychology Don’t Let Your Ego Trap You......Page 137 Smart Risk Management Avoid Jumping, Learn to Run......Page 143 Epilogue......Page 154 Endnotes......Page 156 Bibliography......Page 160 Index......Page 162 '"... combines a great story with great business insight ... . I love this book!" Mr Karimattam Davasia, President & Executive Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd "Read it!" Renato Fassbind, CFO, Credit Suisse This is not an ordinary business book . It uses the fictionalized story of the ups and downs of a real company to show you how best to respond to the big challenges every company -- be it a huge multinational or a small start-up -- faces from time to time. Ride the rollercoaster of real business moves with the cast of Smart Big Moves : Erik, the former software executive turned entrepreneur in the health food market; Per, his ambitious business partner; Bjorn, the ever-helpful mentor with an MBA under his belt who is always ready to hand out advice and case studies; Caroline, the talented consultant brought in to help smooth the strategic shifts. And watch out for the twist in the tale! Through this engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking story, you will learn the secrets of formulating smart big moves using the three critical elements of smart psychology, smart strategy and smart risk management. WHEN YOU NEED TO MAKE A BIG MOVE, MAKE SURE YOURS IS A SMART ONE! No company, however successful, can coast happily along forever doing more of the same. In today’s fast-moving business world products can become obsolete almost as soon as they hit the shelves; tough competition can emerge from new regions of the world; and company structures and processes can become a block to progress rather than a platform to success. Businesses must be able to make the big strategic changes needed to keep up. This is not an ordinary business book. It uses the fictionalised story of the ups and downs of a real company to show you how best to respond to the big challenges every company – be it a huge multinational or a small start-up – faces from time to time. Using this unique format, the book shows you how to make smart big moves that will keep you ahead of the game and help you avoid risks and pitfalls. It explores both business decisions and the human issues involved in making strategic shifts. Smart Big Moves will help managers to make smarter decisions about the change programmes they embark on.