Strategy Rules: Five Timeless Lessons from Bill Gates, Andy Grove, and Steve Jobs – Strategic Insights for Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs
David B. Yoffie · ★★★★★ · 272 pages · 2015
Surprisingly good book on explaining the strategies of Bill Gates, Andy Grove, and Steve Jobs and also their company's pitfalls after the three departed their businesses.
It seems the things to focus on are the following:
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Figure out where you want to be and reason backwards to find the steps to get there.
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Take big bets but also have an alternate plan or existing plan to fall back to if it doesn't work out. Always cannibalise yourself, so it's not your competitors that are eating your lunch.
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Build Platforms that people build on top of. You want to control the medium on which people release products. Having a platform allows you to control your destiny and allows you to essentially vendor lockin.
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Act like the underdog but don't be afraid to use power dynamics.
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Figure out what you are good at and find people who complement you to fill the stuff that you are not so good at.