Essential Managers: Strategic Thinking

This is a well-written, 78-page book about the basics of what managers should know about strategic thinking. That said, before purchasing the book, do take advantage of the “Look Inside” Amazon feature to get a sample of what you’ll be getting. The topics listed on the cover are many and enticing. However, be prepared for the following as the main entry for “Brainstorming”: “Throughout the strategic process, you and your team should meet regularly to brainstorm ideas. Write down a number of ideas in no particular order on, say, a flipchart, refine them, and then sort them into groups. The finished list will become part of the plan, although it will take several sessions to create the final strategic plan. Encouraging creativity: To get the most from a brainstorming session, create a comfortable, relaxed environment where everyone feels free to express ideas. Seating should be kept informal, with no desks. Give everybody at a meeting the chance to air their views in turn.” Thus, you’ll find that the book doesn’t deal with fine, extensive detail but essentially acts as a primer, an introduction to strategic thinking for business managers. For a mature, seasoned business manager, it would most likely be appreciated as a nice review or a checklist to see if one is doing all one could be doing. However, the best audience would probably be a new manager without a business degree or a manager at virtually any level in a large organization who does not normally deal with business strategy. Here the book’s nuts and bolts approach — with interesting graphics, flowcharts, checklists, and questions to ask oneself — will help bring them and their teams up to speed, allowing them to contribute to their organization’s strategic efforts to anticipate customer needs and stay ahead of the market. At a Kindle price of $1.99, it’s a deal! Of possible interest Strategy Pure and Simple: Essential Moves for Winning in Competition and Cooperation

Good clarification on strategy planning. Ideas to use in corporate and personal planning. This book reiterates key points on gathering in conceptions new strategies

This booklet is very direct in communicating its message, however doing it in a very friendly way, which I consider part of "DK Essential Managers" strategy. I read it on Kindle's Android and, compared to the other paper booklets I have, the digital format doesn't let the printing one behind. I recommend it along other books one desires to read, as I consider it is complementary to the Leadership theme.

A brief introduction to the basics of strategic thinking. There’s enough here for the uninitiated to get an idea of strategic planning and perhaps a quick reminder of the basics for the experienced.

Good book to push strategic thinking. it doesnt take long to read it. No problems. Books from the same range are good.

Great tool to help you improve your thoughts when managing a project.

I bought this book actually out of curiosity. It was pocket-size, and also visually very appealing. After perusing it, I have this feeling that this book is more intended for very young executives and/or new supervisors. In terms of basic steps, the book is just fine. In a nutshell, there are some two dozen of "strategic thinking" topics, which have been artfully rolled into the 72 brightly designed and easy-to-read pages, studded along the way with colurful boxed tips, 101 of them to be exact. It is designed for easy reading. There is even a simple but fun test at the end pages. Highly recommended for all beginners into the management field, as well as for older kids, who wants to learn how to think strategically. I wish I had this book when I was a young corporate rat. For a deeper treatment on the subject, I would suggest a quick browse of books in my Strategic Thinking Bookshelf (listmania).

Fine

the book is good to start with ..

Compact short but valuable

Very informative and well explained the step by step guide of thinking it's highlighted my flaws in my business which I will have to re strategize

An interesting book about how to use strategy at work. It is very short and it is not a WOW book: just a few hints and tips about your work. Well, just my 2 cents :-)

Good Stuff. Simple & crisp.