HBR's 10 Must Reads on Strategy (including featured article “What Is Strategy?” by Michael E. Porter)

lean production, which involves a family of activities, has allowed substantial improvements in manufacturing productivity and asset utilization.

unique and valuable position,

relative cost positions and levels of differentiation.

when activities mutually reinforce each other, c

deepen a strategic position rather than broaden or compromise it

The productivity frontier is constantly shifting outward as new technologies and management approaches are developed and as new inputs become available.

that best practices are easily emulate

strategic positioning means performing different activities from rivals’ or performing similar activities in different ways.

they eliminate wasted effort, employ more advanced technology, motivate employees better,

means performing similar activities better than rivals perform them.