business This is one of the best 'military&business" books to come out in years.
In a highly readable yet intelligent writing style, the authors explain how preparation, planning, execution AND a lack of ego all combine to build an organization as small as a rifle team to a billion-dollar multinational.
With examples taken from both the military and business worlds, this book gives everyone from newbie managers to punk MBA types a clue how to succeed in the real world. Highly reccommended !
A Winning Strategy For Business This book is an interesting and well written analysis of how to apply maneuver warfare to a commercial business. The authors prove their analysis by illustrating the similarities between military and competitive business environments.
First, this book is an easy read. It is approximately 181 pages long and broken into easily digested parts. Seven of the thirteen chapters focus exclusively on each of the principles of maneuver warfare. Generally speaking, all the chapters follow a similar format. The authors will make a point and follow it up with an example from military history. They then provide an example from the commercial world. Each of these examples is followed by a brief analysis of the principle in discussion. The reader is then given a general analysis that cuts across both the military and business examples. Finally, each chapter ends with a discussion of how the Marine Corps applies and/or views this principle. The advantage of this format is that the reader knows what to expect. The book finishes with a discussion on leadership, the glue that holds the maneuver warfare principles together.
There is nothing new in this book. All of these principles can be found in other management and leadership teaching aids. This book's true value is the clear, concise, and easy format in which it is written. The true standard for good writing is the ability to clearly convey a point to the reader. This book meets that standard. It has valuable lessons for managers in all organizations, be they military, civilian-government, commercial, or non-profit. Anyone in a leadership position would find their time well spent in reading this book. Excellent practical concepts for any organisation I had reservations about this book before reading it because I happen to agree with those who say that business and war are two very different things.
However, the author makes it clear at the start of this book that he knows business and war are different phenomena, but the principles he outlines are applicable to both arenas.
I believe he is absolutely correct and to be clear what is discussed in this book is exactly that, a set of principles or qualities that are sure to be an effective boost to anyone working in any number of competitive arenas.
I think Warfighting by the USMC is an excellent work - from where these principles are largely derived - and this book builds on those and essentially outlines how they can be transferred into civilian organisational life and business - even a very small business.
These principles are completely practically-based on real world experience - tried and tested more so than many theoretical systems that no-one has ever tried.
Well the USMC is nothing if not an effective organisation based not only on what works, but what brings about outstanding breakthrough results.
I also regard the principles outlined as being useful in other areas of life and very easy to carry in mind.
I also really enjoyed reading this book, the military and business examples used are inspirational.
My personal favourite is the story of a USMC Captain fighting against enemy forces in Vietnam using ingenuity and the principle of decentralised decision making to thwart an attack by 30,000 enemy and 200 tanks.
Don't you wish your staff could make an equivalent achievement in your business?
To my mind, this book is worth much more than many business books on the market.
It is not some macho testosterone-soaked work, it is not all about how great the USMC is, it is about what works.
Yes, business is not war, but the skills of resource management and competition do share strategic, operational and tactical similarities.
