Strategy-In-Action: Marrying Planning, People and Performance (21st Century Leader Series) Paperback – January 3, 2014

I was introduced to this book while teaching a course on Strategic Management and Planning. It has been a great resource for my students and offers effective, yet practical ways for organizations to infuse a strategic mindset in order to meet the increasing challenges of effectively and efficiently managing and leading organizations in the 21st century. Well done!

I thoroughly enjoyed the thoughts and insights the book had to offer. The only reason I felt that it was a four star read was because I did have a hard time fully engaging in the reading. I often felt my mind wandering but stuck with it and finished the book in its entirety.

This handy book by Thomas Zweifel and Ed Borey is a true treasure. Whenever I plan a project, prepare for a workshop, or review our organizational strategy, I open the book and invariable find inspiration to challenge my assumptions, ask deeper questions, and find myself more prepared for finding better options. This book is fresh, results oriented, rich in examples. It has been an invaluable resource on my desk since the day I got it - just with ever more ear-marks, and the progressive wear and tear of a book in constant use.

The best book about strategy I ever read. It closes the gap between powerful visions and people actions through a framework that I never experienced before. Each of the 7 steps of Strategy-In-Action is provided through a powerful context build upon real business case, step by step exercise or workshops to enable you to start with your own team from day 1. It also covers all pitfalls that are waiting for you along the way, with easy and understandable solutions to override them.A must have in my bookshelf!

It is Okay

The book builds on the respected scholarly books on strategy of the past. Then adds a dynamic methodology to integrate coherent actions for the present that ties to the future.

This is one of those management books you’ll want to hang onto so you can review from time to time. It’s a thoughtful and simple read. Good stuff!

I wanted to ask for a refund for this book but I figured If I did I would not have the opportunity to give it a bad review. So I am essentially paying 5 euros (kindle price) for the opportunity to give this review. The book is chock full of elevator pitch stories about companies who "made it" while giving the shallowest details of how. The thesis of the book is the classic "7 things you have to do" but they are extremely disappointing. Here they are:1: Shared understanding 2: Strategic intent 3: Dashboard of key indicators 4: Thrust (!!!) 5: Leadership (Really!) 6: Catalytic actions (Wasn't that Thrust?) 7. Sustain the momentum. Here is the summary of step 5 from the book: "Step Five: Leadership . Leaders can be at all levels of the organization. There are four types: those who lead the strategic process itself, typically Board members and C-level executives; implementers; other affected stakeholders; and gatekeepers who might throw a wrench into the process unless they are aligned. They are capable of leading by example; unyielding about the goal but flexible about the means; highly curious and tolerant of uncertainty; and respectful of divergent viewpoints". I am sorry but there is so little information in that extract and so much fluff... that I can't even trust what information there was. So... why are so many people giving this book a solid 5 stars with very little rationale? Why indeed.