What I Didn't Learn in Business School：How Strategy Works in the Real World

MeetJustinCampbell.He'sanewMBAgraduatewho'slandedajobwithastrategyconsultancy.Hisengagementteamisonamission:helpHGSInc.,aspecialtychemicalsfirm,defineandexecuteastrategyforexploitingatextiletechnologythecompanydeveloped.Justinandhisteamdeploystate-of-the-artstrategytoolstoanalyzetheattractivenessofpotentialmarketsforthetechnology.Buttheysoonrealizethetoolsdon'thelpthemgrapplewiththehumansideofstrategy--includingpoliticalforcesswirlingwithinHGS.Everyoneinvolvedintheengagementisbiasedandinsecure,brilliantandhardworking,selfishandlazy,loyalanddedicated.Justinandhiscohortsaren't"real"--WhatIDidn'tLearninBusinessSchoolisabusinessnovel.Butthey'rerealistic:they'rejustlikeus.Theirstoryrevealsthelimitationsofstrategytoolsanddemonstratestacticsfornavigatingthemessy,humandynamicsthatcanmakeorbreakacompany'sstrategyefforts.Thisengagingbookusesthepowerofstorytopresentpotentlessonsforanyoneseekingtoexcelatstrategymanagement.It'sacompellingread--whetheryou'reanMBAgradstrugglingtoapplywhatyoulearnedorinthefrayandeagertoseewhatMBAsgetwrongwhentheylandintherealworld.