Books About Differentiated Business Strategy

The full title of this book by Jack Hardy is

Core Value Proposition: …A powerful tool that provides a customer focus to your business development

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave it Three Stars.

Here is my review.

Build your core value proposition up from five factors

This book makes the point that a core value proposition is a combination of:
– core values that are the basis for everything the business does;
– value proposition as a promise of particular values made to and believed by customers. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Scott McKain is

“All Business is Show Business: Strategies for Earning Standing Ovations from Your Customers“.

In my review posted to Amazon.co.uk, I rated it as Four Stars. This means I think it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

Capture attention and keep customers interested through “entertainment”

I enjoyed reading this book and it covers three important concepts:

1. A high concept – a short, powerful summary of what your business is all about.
2. A powerful story – expand on the core concept through a powerful, emotional packed, memorable story which creates a real connection with customers – I wrote about this in my blog on the Core Myth.
3. The ultimate customer experience – a similar concept to what I call the perfect customer experience and the ideal customer experience.

[continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Bradley Gale is

“Managing Customer Value: Creating Quality and Service That Customers Can See“.

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I rated this book as Four Stars. This means I think it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

Puts “value” numbers to the idea of differentiation but it has a big company bias

This is a landmark in the development of the concept of customer value as a way to make decisions about differentiation strategies.

While Michael Porter argued that the only ways to gain a competitive advantage were a cost advantage (in effect coming from the supply side) and differentiation advantage (from the demand side), he didn’t provide many practical tools for understanding the customer purchase decision and how companies could differentiate themselves in ways that matter. [continue reading…]

In my review of

The 22 Immutable Laws Of Branding by Al Ries and Laura Ries

posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of Four Stars.

This means I think it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

Branding in terms of what the brand stands for

This is a no nonsense guide explaining how to build a brand for your business which attracts customers and increases sales and profits.

There is a big business branding issue that small companies shouldn’t copy. I hate much of the advertising done by big businesses and the way that encourage small businesses to waste their money doing stuff which doesn’t have a chance of working. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Mark Joyner is

“The Irresistible Offer: How to Sell Your Product or Service in 3 Seconds or Less“.

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of Four Stars. This means I think it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

A great way to simplify a complex idea but it’s expensive for what’s there

The premise is simple…

Your customers are going to give you a few seconds to make the sale. What are you going to say? [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Mary Kay Plantes and Robert D. Finfrock is

“Beyond Price: Differentiate Your Company in Ways That Really Matter“.

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of Four Stars. This means I think it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

A leadership approach, for big rather than small businesses

Beyond Price is a book about how to escape harsh price competition by differentiating your business so it was bound to catch my attention.

The problem with reading a book that deals with your own special interest is that you find yourself thinking “I don’t do it like that, it’s wrong.”It isn’t of course, it’s just a different perspective. [continue reading…]

The full title of this important book by Michael Porter is

“Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance“.

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave this book a rating of Five Stars. This means I think it is Excellent and is Very Highly Recommended to anyone with a deep interest in business strategy and how competitive advantage is created.

Here is my book review.

Very challenging but very rewarding if you’re interested in competitive advantage

I first read this book in 1990 when I realised strategy was the subject that combined (and reconciled) my interest in finance and marketing. I’d been very impressed with his book, “Competitive Strategy” and wanted to understand more about how you create competitive advantage through cost leadership, differentiation and focus. [continue reading…]

When I reviewed this book,  on Amazon.co.uk,

“How to Create a Million Dollar Unique Selling Proposition” by Bill Bodri,

I gave it a Five Star rating.

This means that I think it is Excellent and is Very Highly Recommended.

Here is my book review.

A terrific resource to help you to define your business in a short statement

When I read this book it was called How To Write A Million Dollar Unique Selling Proposition but, given the very minor change in title, I’m sure it’s the same book.

It is the most comprehensive look at the topic of Unique Selling Propositions that I’ve seen and the author deserves a lot of credit to compile such an outstanding review. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by David J. Pannell is

How to Influence Buying Criteria and open doors to More Business, Better Margins in Less Time

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave it 3 Stars.

Here is my review.

Worth reading if price versus value is a consistent problem

This book looks at the issue where customers focus on price when there are clear differences in value between competing products. The challenge for the sales person (this book is sales rather than marketing focused) is to open up the conversation. [continue reading…]