Good strategy is the effective application of your organization’s strengths against your rivals’ weaknesses. Unfortunately, many people misunderstand what makes good strategy and end up publishing vague statements of lofty but directionless goals instead of actionable, focused plans that will propel their organization to success.

Richard Rumelt is one of the world’s foremost thinkers on strategy, having guided organizations ranging from small, entrepreneurial start-ups to large, multinational conglomerates, as well as several governments and the U.S. Department of Defense. In Good Strategy Bad Strategy, he lays out the essential components of good strategy and the faulty thinking behind bad strategy. He also describes specific and measurable techniques for designing a focused strategy that gives your organization the best chance of success.