Rating: 
Summary: Should be titled "Simple-Minded Strategic Planning"
Review: This book seems more like recommended reading for a community-college based course than those seriously interested in concise information on strategic planning. This guide is definitely written by seminar teachers, full of simple one-liners and cheesy analogies that don't really add that much to your understanding of strategy. Possibly a good starter guide, but not recommended if you have already read anything on strategy.
Rating: 
Summary: Practical, action-oriented guide to strategic planning
Review: This book takes strategic planning off the shelf and into the realm of implementation. It makes strategic planning an inclusive, usable, adjustable tool to manage the growth of an organization. Too often, we hear the complaint that organizations have spent considerable time and money on creating a sophisticated strategic plan only to have it sit on the shelf for years without any action taken. Simplified Strategic Planning is just that, a process that retains the complexity inherent in creating a comprehensive plan for an organization while breaking it down into small, clear, actionable steps. Perhaps the best part of this book is that in addition to creating a strategic plan, underlying the process is a deep understanding of how to involve people in the work of gathering data, analyzing the data and then creating a customized strategic plan.
Rating:
Summary: Practical, action-oriented guide to strategic planning
Review: This book takes strategic planning off the shelf and into the realm of implementation. It makes strategic planning an inclusive, usable, adjustable tool to manage the growth of an organization. Too often, we hear the complaint that organizations have spent considerable time and money on creating a sophisticated strategic plan only to have it sit on the shelf for years without any action taken. Simplified Strategic Planning is just that, a process that retains the complexity inherent in creating a comprehensive plan for an organization while breaking it down into small, clear, actionable steps. Perhaps the best part of this book is that in addition to creating a strategic plan, underlying the process is a deep understanding of how to involve people in the work of gathering data, analyzing the data and then creating a customized strategic plan.
Rating: 
Summary: Simple and Useful - less jargon
Review: This book's strength is that it is basically an outline of good strategy development. Another reviewer called it the book for "dummies"-like that was a criticism. It provides an excellent guide for real managers trying to get a tough job done in competition with their "real job" requirements. If you need something to impress a teacher, buy something different. If you need to get some strategic planning done in the typical workplace, put this book high on your list of resources.
Rating:
Summary: Presents straightforward guidance for real action.
Review: This book, the product of extensive work by its authors with small and medium-sized businesses, presents straightforward, concise guidance (right down to hardcopy/softcopy templates) and a rational sequence for developing a strategic plan without a large staff. It draws heavily on the academic work of leading researchers James Brian Quinn (Dartmouth/Tuck) and Michael Porter (Harvard). Its hallmark, though, is its firm grounding in the environment of businesses that cannot ignore daily operational requirements for the sake of planning."Simplified Strategic Planning" presents particularly clear, explicit guidance on selecting a corporate focus amid operational chaos and the temptation to serve all comers. I highly recommend this book for managers at businesses of any size. It will inspire a discipline and sequence--and therefore a useful result--in planning.
Rating:
Summary: Concise, well structured for developing business strategy!
Review: Well Done! This format allows an organization the opportunity to cut through the hocus pocus of most strategic planning formats and get to the chase. Businesses need a tool that guides them through the process of strategic planning with a results oriented structure. We have used the process and it works!
Rating:
Summary: Don't just read the book use it!
Review: Yes the book "simplifies" a difficult process, but the real proof of its worth is actually using the plan set forth by the authors. We are well into year one of following the instructions and our 38 year old company has never communicated to the level it is now. We have already enabled ourselves to take advantage of two major opportunities that would have benn missed without planning by the book. Read it sure - Use it for sure!
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