What is Strategy?: An Illustrated Guide to Michael Porter

QUESTION: how do you creatively add vitality and that wow-factor to an already rock solid pillar in the strategy literature? Michael Porter’s classic article, “What Is Strategy?” first appeared in the November–December 1996 issue of “Harvard Business Review.”And once you hold this stunning 2020 resource in your hands—you’ll immediately know which person on your strategic planning task force member will enjoy reading and reviewing this very creative tool. Harvard Business Review Press subtitled this book, “An Illustrated Guide to Michael Porter.” Brilliant!And…you better order two copies, because this eye-catching coffee table book will be “borrowed” by visitors to your reception area.Following the trend by publishers to produce business parables/novels/stories—in graphic formats (with very appealing illustrations), “What Is Strategy?” announces on the first page:“THIS IS NOT YOUR FATHER’S BUSINESS BOOK.” (LOL!)Instead, the author clarifies, “It’s aimed at readers in all types of organizations who learn visually as well as verbally. It’s aimed at time-starved readers who want to absorb important content fast. It’s aimed at readers who are serious about learning, but who also enjoy a good laugh.”In this business story, a fictitious management team—with the help and ideas of the real life Michael Porter, “grapple with the challenges of strategy—and their own egos.” The executive team includes a creative collection of animals (the CFO is a bull!). The panda (HR) tweets, “I wish @CEO would stop with the insensitive animal jokes. #hostileworkplace.”If someone on your team enjoyed reading/viewing other business novels (graphic-type) such as “The Goal: A Business Graphic Novel” and “StrategyMan vs. the Anti-Strategy Squad,” they will love this illustrated edition of “What Is Strategy?”Note: You can also read the classic Harvard Business Review 1996 article, “What Is Strategy?” by ordering “HBR's 10 Must Reads on Strategy (including What Is Strategy? by Michael E. Porter).” And thanks to Harvard Business Review Press for sending me a review copy of the illustrated edition.

If, like me, you have a hard time getting through any of Michael Porter’s books, you are probably already familiar with Joan Magretta’s perpetual best-selling "Understanding Michael Porter".Along with the fact that she has worked with Porter for over twenty years, her credentials as the official translator are established."What is Strategy?" is something very new in the business book world, a truly differentiated book in tone and in substance: a picture story book about one of the most critical business topics of modern times: strategy, what it is and what it is not.And the book works.Michael Porter helicopters into the HQ of Acorn, a company trying to develop a strategy to move forward and decide where to spend its limited resources. The Acorn senior staff characters - HR, finance, R&D, marketing, operations and the CEO, are each represented by an appropriate animal. Porter has one day to define the industry, the market position and appropriate strategy, while addressing the preferences and concerns of each department head.Harvard Business Review Press took a gamble on this book, but I think it will pay off. I anticipate other business books in the form of picture story books coming soon, emulating a leader and developing a competitive convergence of look-alikes.My congratulations to Joan Magretta on a great addition to the business literature on strategy, and kudos to HBR for taking the chance on this style of book.

This book is an excellent introduction to Porter's ideas. It is accessible and quite entertaining, especially the funny references in the illustrations. I recently studied Clay Christensen's frameworks closely - and found the parallels between the works of the two great minds (Porter & Christensen) fascinating.I owe Joan and Porter many thanks for how their work made me appreciate the creative nature of a strategist’s job. The ability to look at unmet or underserved needs, and finding novel ways to tailor a series of activities around it, is a feat of creativity I did not fully grasp earlier.

I thought the book was very well illustrated and it is written as the level of understanding for a high school student. I would recommend this book as a quick refresher but not if you are trying to do a deep dive analysis.

I bought this book to see what it was about. WOW ! I have been a strategy professor at some very good business schools, as a point of reference. This book is extremely well put together and the blending of core/essential Porter ideas with a simple story and compelling illustrations is just brilliant. I wish I had this idea years ago! I think for many managers and many leadership teams, this book -- if read carefully and applied to their situation -- would be a very practical, valuable tool for their firm. Congratulations to the authors.

Michael Porter’s ideas remain incredibly helpful to business people. “What is strategy” is a fun, innovative way of presenting them. I applaud the author and publisher for experimenting here and for a fresh and innovative approach. I read mine cover to cover and it makes a great addition to a coffee table or office as well.

This is a very easy read of complex management concepts. The author describes and exemplifies the concepts with ease. Her earlier books were very well written and highly technical. The way the concept of Strategy is presented is well thought out and gives the reader a thorough understanding of this important concept. The author does a wonderful job explaining the concept in a highly visual and fun manner, in an unique comic book style. I read the book in a one 5 hour sitting though I will re-read it in a week or so again. She did a wonderful job!

This illustrated guide provides a very fun and accessible recap and reference to the main themes covered in Joan Magretta's "Understanding Michael Porter".

I used during my MBA lectures.

Ein wirklich gut gelungenes Buch! Hier kann man nicht nur in den großartigen Illustrationen viel entdecken, sondern auch erstaunlich tief und verständlich in das Thema Strategie abtauchen. Viel mehr als ein Kinderbuch ist es (auch) ein fantastischer Einstieg in Michael Porters Thesen und durchaus für Leser*innen, die sich für dieses Feld begeistern können, empfehlenswert.

I liked this book very much without going to too much theories. Easy analogy and very straight forward to follow. I'll now go and read the primary source now to solidify my core understandings.

A quick read - very shareable - provides the appropriate context and information around strategy and strategic planning. Elegant simplicity!