"Using his consulting practice over the last 14 years for more than 80 businesses in the US, Europe, and Asia, Clive presents an interesting adaptation of traditional strategic planning by focusing on the unique integration of a company's goals, strategies, performance targets, and action programs into an organization's culture. The book's 23 easy-to-read chapters are divided into three parts: 'The Strategic Business Planning Framework, ' 'Strategic Concepts, ' and 'The Strategic Business Planning Process.' Topics discussed include corporate culture and business values, data collection, distinctive capabilities, leadership and team motivation, communicating the strategy, developing performance targets, and financial analysis. A familiarity with contemporary management, marketing, and finance principles and procedures is a prerequisite to a thorough understanding of the work. Although oriented toward the practitioner, this book is an important addition to management planning collections. See also Adrian J. Slywotzky and David Morrison's The Profit Zone: How Strategic Business Design Will Lead You to Tomorrow's Profits (CH, Jun'98). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections." -- S. R. Kahn, University of Cincinnati in CHOICE.

About the Author

Clive Reading has worked as a strategic planning business consultant for BKT Strategy in both the US and Europe. Formerly Principal Consultant and Director of Business Training at Arthur Young he also led promotional programs for Marlboro cigarettes. He currently lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.