Michael Porter Quotes

39 quotes in 504 categories

• Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it's about deliberately choosing to be different.
• If all you're trying to do is essentially the same thing as your rivals, then it's unlikely that you'll be very successful.
• Finally, strategy must have continuity. It can't be constantly reinvented.
• The essence of strategy is that you must set limits on what you're trying to accomplish.
• The underlying principles of strategy are enduring, regardless of technology or the pace of change.
• There's a fundamental distinction between strategy and operational effectiveness.
• A strategy delineates a territory in which a company seeks to be unique.
• The thing is, continuity of strategic direction and continuous improvement in how you do things are absolutely consistent with each other. In fact, they're mutually…
• Companies operating in urban communities have a tremendous ripple effect.
• The ability to change constantly and effectively is made easier by high-level continuity.
• Technology has given us this wonderful opportunity to have low energy costs. We have to seize that, rather than keep debating and discussing and fighting…
• In America, the problems of poverty and low income, particularly for minorities, are disproportionately focused in the inner cities. Shining a spotlight on the businesses…
• As minorities and other immigrant groups become more important to our economy, the inner city is a crucible that gives us an early look at…
• In a period of economic downturn, the overwhelming instinct is to pare back, cut costs, and lay off. If you do that, do so with…
• As a multisport athlete, I was always fascinated with competition and how to win. At HBS and later at the Harvard Department of Economics, I…
• America used to be a uniquely productive, low-cost place to do business. We had efficient infrastructure. We had limited regulation. We believed in the market.
• So companies have to be very schizophrenic. On one hand, they have to maintain continuity of strategy. But they also have to be good at…
• Strategy 101 is about choices: You can't be all things to all people.

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