How do you find inspiration and innovation in business strategy books?

It’s been my experience that strategy is foundational in the formation, growth and continued success of any business. In that regard, choosing different strategy books for different purposes isn’t the right way to frame the question. Having read a number of “strategy” books - like anything, there are good ones and bad ones. In my view, reading books like 7 Powers or The Crux will give anyone interested in strategy a sense for what strategy is and how to incorporate it into your goals.

It depends on the author. I tend to only buy books from authors that I considr to have inspirational insights to begin with. Another ttick is to buy the audio as well as the text versions - if the books is good. Often the spoken word can deliver insights that the written word may lack . I guess this is a highly subjective approach - in the past there were periods when I regarded Michael Porter as exciting reading. Blue Ocean Strategy is kind of dry at times and a bit too managerial for me, but boy does it have some gems if you dig in.

Some ways to get started is go through book summaries and then pick the one which resonates to most with your purpose & objectives.

I find that following inspirational entrepreneurs through podcasts or social media and following up on their recommendations is really useful. If their business approach and values resonate with you then the books they recommend will also fit your strategy and approach to business. What you gain from business strategy books will also depend on the stage you are in your business. I have found Launch by Jeff Walker helpful as I try to grow a new business and Two Weeks Notice by Amy Porterfield as she has a step by step approach that works for me. Both of these books I found by listening to business podcasts.

There are a few more famous examples of strategy being the clear deciding factor in companies evolving to dominance in their market - Intel and Netflix for instance. I've found that reading strategy books that offer unique perspectives on the same company provide powerful context, help me see things differently and also internalize the strategy lessons into my own practice.

Learning need not necessarily come from a typical management book. From autobiographies to adventure to science & nature, there is always something to learn from each genre which can be connected back to our work & life!

Now, I don't want to sound cliche for today's environment, but we have AI chatbots where you can maximize your learning through meaningful chit-chat back and forth. This is particularly useful when it comes to books and comprehensive materials because you reduce the immense workload. The way I do it, in case the AI doesn't know the book and the summary of the book, I upload it with my own prompt around the main aspects I consider using in creating something new (aka innovation.) It might take a couple of iterations back and forth until the AI gets what I intended and then when the new thing is discovered we can go into details. Basically, I conduct an in-depth conversation with the AI making sure it has all the context and data.

Create mini short term goals and consciously put easy to apply learning into practice to begin with. The measurable success you achieve in these short term goal would get you going with setting more goals and hence building and sustaining the necessary skills & behaviours.

Finding inspiration and innovation in business strategy books is an art. Here are 3 strategies to ensure you get the most out of them: Diverse Selection: Cast a wide net. Don't limit yourself to a specific industry or style. Explore books from various authors, industries, and time periods. This diversity can offer fresh perspectives. Set Clear Objectives: Know what you're looking for. Are you seeking ways to improve your leadership skills, marketing strategies, or financial management? Define your objectives to find books that align with your needs. Cross-Disciplinary Insights: Seek books that draw inspiration from diverse fields, such as psychology, history, or science. These interdisciplinary connections often spark innovative ideas.

Discussion of learning is highly effective at starting the process to understand what strategies may apply to a business or fully utilized. Get multi-perspectives. Sources like youtube can be very effective to gain insights and help with your discussions. Using sources like these can be an effective tool to begin developing and understanding the application of varying strategies.

Business strategy books are a treasure trove of inspiration and innovation. By delving into case studies, real-world examples, and success stories, you can uncover fresh ideas and insights applicable to your industry. These books often present diverse strategies and approaches that can be adapted to your business. Moreover, they can stimulate creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, nurturing a mindset conducive to innovation. Staying updated with the latest publications in the ever-evolving business landscape is essential for professionals seeking to infuse their strategies with new perspectives and approaches.

The best CEOs, founders, entrepreneurs are those who have a growth mindset and are continuously committed to learning - books are a great way to get there. In business it's important to have a growth mindset and be open to constantly learning. Business strategy books are a great source of inspiration and innovation. You need to look at different perspectives and different methodologies and challenge yourself and the way that you're running your business. Not everything will work or resonate with you - but if you can even pick up one new idea and implement it every few months it's worth it!

Here are 3 more easy to use tips that i found helpful: Active Reading: Don't just skim through. Engage actively with the content. Take notes, underline key points, and jot down how you can apply the insights in your own context. Discussion and Collaboration: Join book clubs, attend seminars, or engage in discussions with peers. This collective perspective can unlock fresh insights and perspectives. Experimentation: Put the knowledge into action. Experiment with the strategies and frameworks you discover. Innovation often arises from real-world application.

Understand what near term challenges will arise. It is good to prioritize development to skills and learnings that will be most important in the near term and pivotal points in time. By maintaining synergies with when new skills will be needed for the long term strategy will help optimize the full benefit of the resources that are avaliable.