Contemporary Strategy Analysis

Well to be honest I always had a hard time getting through the piles of books during business school. But this "brick" opened my eyes and I actually ended up reading it out of pure pleasure. If you are remotely interested in business you should get this. It sums up many of the conclusions made by the great economists. Get one - and save yourself the cost of 10 others.

'Contemporary Strategy Analysis' offers a balanced analysis of concepts, techniques & applications about business strategy. I find Grant's analysis of various schools of strategy relatively unique compared with books in the market. The content flows fluidly chapter after chapter, & I find the book to be an enjoyable read. The treatment of each topic is concise with great case studies & references. Despite its detail analysis on various elements of business strategy, it remains pragmatic, with the ultimate goal of business strategy - maximizing & sustaining shareholder value - consistently emphasised throughout the book.

This book was used as our main textbook for Business 184 class taught by Dr. P.Skilton. As an actual user of this book, I believe that the details this book provided are unique in the way that they offer good understanding on what business strategy is about. The book answers the ultimate question, "What is strategy?" by distinguishing strategy from plans and tactics. Additionally, it provides insights to different types of strategies, advantages/disadvantages of each, and actual cases of usage. However, this is not to say that the book is without shortcomings, it creates some confusion in a few tables (and I still believe it's in Ch.2...for those of you doing projects for Dr.Skilton's class, watch out cuz that's one thing he is gonna ask you to do for SURE!). Yet, I believe the real merit in this book could only be discovered through reading the book. >_<

Great book by someone who is serious about the subject! No "The Art of Strategy according to Lord Nelson" or the like. After reading the book, the reader will be able to think about strategy and judge strategic thinking as applied to real cases. But, better still, it will make the reader curious about strategy and willing to look further into some of the many good references given in the book.

I used this book during my MBA in City University Business School, London and found it extremely helpful. It covers most of ground and guides the reader through different approaches showing them their pros and cons. It takes the magic out of many complicated concepts and make them accessiable. In some few parts it lacks detail but if taken as an introductry book to business strategy, it serves that purpose well. As a strategy consultant, I always keep it on my self with my favorite "The Mind Of The Strategist".