Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. A Brief History of Strategy and Strategists
3. Diagnosis
4. Intent
5. Trends and Opportunities
6. Resources and Capability
7. Strategic Options
8. Evaluating Strategy
9. Building a Comprehensive Strategy
10. The Strategy Cycle
11. Logic to Action
12. Complexity, Strategy, Transformation and Leadership
13. The Strategy Cycle in Practice
Case Study 1: Apple
Case Study 2: Nokia
Case Study 3: ABB
Case Study 4: Nine Dragons
Appendix 1: Strategy Cycle templates
Appendix 2: Writing a Business Plan
Appendix 3: Writing Strategy Assignments
Index

Promotional Information

This textbook demonstrates the unique Strategy Cycle approach, combining detailed planning with the process of bringing a strategy to life through storytelling.

About the Author

Robert MacIntosh is Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law, Northumbria University. Donald MacLean is Professorial Research Fellow in the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow, UK. Craig Robinson is Reader in Business Education at King's Business School, King's College London.

Reviews

This book is both comprehensive and immediately accessible to students and practitioners alike; the authors brilliantly bring the world of strategy to life through real-world examples and practical applications, while reflecting the latest cutting-edge research and developments in the field.
*Alison Ashby, University of Exeter, UK*

In this eminently readable book, MacIntosh, MacLean and Robinson summarize, integrate, and apply all the major theoretical frameworks in strategic management, before demonstrating how these frameworks are actually used. In doing so, they allow the reader to learn from the experts themselves – the practicing strategic managers of the business world.
*Jay Barney, University of Utah, USA*

This wonderful book is practical, rigorous, up to date, and written in an engaging style that includes suitable irony. It blends the old (before the common era) with the new (the COVID pandemic) and careful planning with unexpected emergence, in ways that provide potential strategists with both realism and hope.
*Jean Bartunek, Boston College, USA*

In this book, MacIntosh, MacLean and Robinson discuss the parts of strategy other books often leave out. In addition to the tools, techniques and pertinent research, they focus on the ‘messy reality’ of how the work of strategy really gets done – the language, politics, plans that go awry and not least, the strategists themselves. This practical approach is informed by an impressive depth of theoretical insight, presented in a highly accessible way, informed by expansive practical experience within a range of organisations. This is essential reading both for those new to the field and for strategists who will benefit from this refreshing set of ideas and examples.
*Nic Beech, Middlesex University, UK*

If you are compelled to understand more about strategy in our complex, interconnected, digital world and to identify ways in which you are more likely to deliver successful outcomes - then Strategists at Work is a great read.
*Roisin Currie, Chief Executive Officer, Greggs PLC*

MacIntosh, MacLean and Robinson’s Strategic Management offers a practical and innovative approach to planning and executing strategy for scholars and practitioners alike. Its comprehensive coverage and engaging style is combined with novel insights into strategy as narrative, giving it versatility and relevance across all levels of teaching and study.
*James Fowler, University of Essex, UK*

This textbook refreshingly addresses issues such as the history of strategy, the work of strategists, cultural and political issues as they relate to strategy, and complexity and transformation. As such it helps to bring strategy to life in an appealing way.
*Loizos Heracleous, University of Warwick, UK*

This book on strategic management is a must-read for any business professional looking to stay ahead of the game. With a focus on practical, real-world examples and experiential work, it provides a comprehensive guide to the latest strategic management practices and trends.
*Adil Tahir Paracha, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan*

Strategic Management: Strategists at Work is a fantastic book. Both refreshingly simple and complex at the same time. The authors manage to combine straightforward, practical advice on how to craft strategy with accessible theoretical insights on the social dynamics of strategy work. This second edition includes lots of updated examples and a great new chapter on storytelling, showing that a robust, coherent, logical strategy on its own is nothing without a storytelling culture that promotes that strategy.
*David Seidl, University of Zurich, Switzerland*

I couldn’t think of a better resource for my students than Strategic Management. Why? Because the authors have written this text with the learner in mind. Their storytelling approach brings theory to life, and makes what could have been an arduous read enjoyable, practical and meaningful. For anyone teaching this subject, put it on your resource list—your students will thank you!
*Danny Simms, University of Applied Research and Development, New Zealand*

This is one of the best strategy books in an increasingly crowded and noisy field. The text succeeds in its nuanced simplicity. MacIntosh, MacLean and Robinson are gifted storytellers and do a wonderful job of making strategy accessible by avoiding corporate gibberish and embedding state-of-the-art knowledge in a highly-readable format.
*Roy Suddaby, University of Victoria, Canada*

The biggest challenge in business is translating leadership strategy into management action. MacIntosh, MacLean and Robinson have unscrambled the formula for effective delivery. Read it, before tomorrow gets here.
*John Mark Williams, CEO, Institute of Leadership & Management, UK*