Discussion: View Thread

May be of interest regarding the recent conversation about strategy.  What do you think?

http://www..dallascap.com/pdfs/StrategyasSimpleRules.pdf

And

http://www.vision.com/insight/strategy_execution_sep08.pdf

Cheers,

Chris

Hi Chris,

 

"Simple Rules", although a bit dated HBR article is useful (it promotes Enron's 2001 simple rules) explores the notion that we need to invent new games to emerge as market leaders.  The Eisenhardt and Sull (2001, HBR) formula for simple rules only hints at the process of implementing a fame-changing design (Grace, 2009).  This HBR article demonstrates that logically one cannot reverse engineer from the outside a momentary success and call it simple rules.  It's neat to use KISS for a suggestion about corporate strategy, but the doing of the game-changing implementation involves a good deal of complex problems that need to be solved.  Fortunately, we have developed and tested tools for constructing dynamic strategies and their implementation over time and tides (Graen, Predator's game-changing designs, 2009).

 

Enron's deal making off the books took the simple rules and opportunity logic recommended in HBR to its destruction with shame.  We now have tools to prevent or at least stop such illegal actions.  What do you think?

 

George Graen