The quotes above by Messrs. Jobs and Seinfeld highlight one of the most important things my members learn over time. What we choose not to do is as important as what choose to do. We cannot execute on all the choices in front of us.
A short article by Joan Magretta in HBR looks to the wisdom of Jim Collin (perhaps America’s greatest living writer on management) and Michael Porter (whose name is synonymous with strategy). She marries the most important aspects of their respective work: getting the right people on the bus and having a compelling strategy.
Take a few minutes for some wisdom that will make you a better businessperson: Jim Collins, Meet Michael Porter.
Note: For my money, the best book for most CEOs and their teams on strategy is Ms. Magretta ’s “Understanding Michael Porter.” A longtime colleague of Mr. Porter, she knows the man and his work well. She takes Mr. Porters’ brilliant, but very long and very challenging books on strategy and competition and in essence has produced what I call “Michael Porter for Dummies.” Her book is one that your entire management team can use to create a common understanding and vocabulary on a shared core competency that every company interested in long term success should have.
