Can anyone recommend a good book on strategy? General strategy that is. I'm new to the field, and want to read something that can help me build capacity in that area. Thanks.

Your question is a bit like "how long is a piece of string'. What kind of strategy - global, corporate, marketing, etc. Doubt you will find an overview of much use without tightening your scope a bit.

Hi, the two I would recommend for a general overview are Contemporary Strategy Analysis, Grant RM and the other is Strategy Bites back by Mintberg H. The Grant book is fairly objective and discusses various theories. The book by Mintzberg tries to demystify strategic theory. It takes more of a practical view which is at times rather cynical!. They were the two I found most useful during my MBA strategy module. Hope this helps.M

Thanks M, I'll look into your suggestions. Lab, i'm thinking a general overview of strategy and then corporate strategy. Can you suggest anything?

I would recommed "Strategy: Process, Content, Context" by Bob De Wit & Ron Meyer, one of the most "comprehenensive" books, I have read on strategy. It is not about just one line of thought but debates among potentially opposite chain of thoughts.

Grant

Bolko v. Oettinger et.al.: Clausewitz- strategic thinking,Munich 2001 (Hanser Verlag)Oettinger is SVP and director of BCGs strategic institute. Clausewitz (1780-1831) is named one of the most important strategic brains and the book is based on his recipients, links his concepts and ideas to todays commercial issues. Don't know if it is published in english language.At least a must reading if you would like to join BCG sometime ;-) hr

Book: The mind of the strategist - kenichi ohmaeWebsites: MarketingProfs Know-How Exchange contains about 100,000 questions on Marketing, with multiple answers from experts around the world, so there is a huge practical knowledgebase there you can tap into - http://www.marketingprofs.com/eaPlus - you should sign up for e-Newsletters like those from McKinsey & Co. My own company also has a modest (and free) offering you can sign up for, with a focus on strategy execution http://www.asvpconsulting.comHope this helps...