Building a Competitive Advantage

The purpose of this book is to provide insights into contemporary theories and real life examples of Leadership, Strategy, Innovation and Change Management, in the context of helping organisations succeed and create a competitive advantage: one which is difficult, if not impossible for others to replicate. It goes on to review instances of positive and negative initiatives and provides recommendations and actions for success. 

The array of challenges faced by organisations is great. The litany of trials is familiar to many firms: Financial pressure, rapidly broadening information and choice available to customers, changing demographics, competing values and an unprecedented rate of technological innovation.  Yet, difficulties faced by many organisations have accelerated beyond the skills of staff, managers, leaders and business owners. 

Human behaviour within organisations is complex. It both influences and is affected by a wide range of factors, including managerial actions, decisions and the ability to implement strategic objectives. Strategies essential to overcome challenges often fail. Traditional models are not exceedingly helpful and often lack a systematic correlation between the ability of leaders to implement strategy, and the importance of understanding the norms of employees and potential hires. 

Yet, what business strategy is all about; what distinguishes it from all other kinds of business planning – is, competitive advantage Without competitors there would be no need for strategy, for the sole purpose of strategic planning is to enable business to gain, as effectively as possible, a sustainable edge over its competitors. Therefore the material purpose of a company’s strategy is not simply to match resources with opportunities, but rather to stretch an organisation beyond what was thought possible.