The Entrepreneur's Strategy Guide : Ten Keys for Achieving Marketplace Leadership and Operational Excellence

In an environment where the chances of failure are much greater than success, what will make your company a winner? Drawing from fifty years of experience, research, and observation in entrepreneurial strategy, Tom Cannon offers a game plan for entrepreurs. Dividing the book into two basic parts—the marketplace (external environment) and the organization (internal environment)—he outlines the ten core capabilities that every business must master in order to be successful. Illustrating each principle through examples of real companies, and engaging the reader through diagnostics, checklists, and other interactive exercises, Cannon presents an essential resource for entrepreneurs; managers of startups, spinoffs, and other entrepreneurial units; and students of strategy and business development. At the heart of the book is an emphasis on how entrepreneurs can execute ambitious visions and strategies by mastering the basics and recognizing opportunities to continuously improve and innovate. "What every entrepreneur needs to know about launching and sustaining a successful business--a practical guide to mastering the 10 key principles of marketplace and operational excellence In an environment where the chances of failure are much greater than success, what will make your company a winner? Drawing from fifty years of experience, research, and observation in entrepreneurial strategy, Tom Cannon offers a game plan for entrepreurs. Dividing the book into two basic parts--the marketplace (external environment) and the organization (internal environment)--he outlines the ten core capabilities that every business must master in order to be successful. Illustrating each principle through examples of real companies, and engaging the reader through diagnostics, checklists, and other interactive exercises, Cannon presents an essential resource for entrepreneurs; managers of startups, spinoffs, and other entrepreneurial units; and students of strategy and business development. At the heart of the book is an emphasis on how entrepreneurs can execute ambitious visions and strategies by mastering the basics and recognizing opportunities to continuously improve and innovate."--Publisher's website Introduction Part A. Consumers and competitors : your strategic foundations Key one : end-user benefits for growing niche markets Key two : Pricing that pleases two masters Key three : infotech-strengthened channels and supply chains Key four : a targeted and frugal sales and marketing mix Key five : customer services that generate repeat business Part B. Profit-producing managerial and operational strategies Key six : dynamic, "no-gaps" business planning Key seven : people power through teaming and empowerment Key eight : leveraged development, production, and outsourcing Key nine : problem solving and "do-your-own" turnarounds Key ten : linking growth strategies with profit plans