Analysis Without Paralysis: 12 Tools to Make Better Strategic Decisions (Paperback)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0133101029 ISBN 13: 9780133101027

Publisher: Pearson FT Press, 2012

Twelve powerful analytical tools to evaluate business data, assess operations and performance, and take your organisation to the next level. Accessibly written, this book explains the entire business analysis process and explains each of today's most valuable analysis tools so you will be able to make better decisions about your company's strategy and operations and achieve better results. It includes thorough coverage of 12 powerful tools for evaluating and interpreting business data and makes the important yet complicated area of analytics accessible to any one. The second edition features three new analytical tools, for each tool, the author's present clear descriptions, context, rationales, strengths, weaknesses, step-by-step instructions and case study examples.

From the Back Cover:

Fully Updated: More techniques, New examples!

The Practical, Easy-to-Use Guide to Strategic and Business Analysis for Every Decision-Maker

More and more decision-makers are recognizing the immense potential of business analytics for developing winning strategies and making better choices. This friendly, plain-English guide to business analysis will help you choose the right tool, use it properly, and apply the results–without burying you in advanced math or theory!

 

Babette Bensoussan and Craig Fleisher walk you through the entire business analysis process and thoroughly demystify each of today’s 12 most valuable analysis tools. Their practical insights and realistic case studies will help you transform data into insight, transform insight into strategy, anticipate emerging threats and opportunities, and build powerful competitive advantage!

 

Covers these tools:

· BCG Growth/Share Portfolio Matrix

· Competitor Analysis

· NEW! Driving Forces Analysis

· Financial Ratio and Statement Analysis

· Five Forces Industry Analysis

· Public Issues Analysis

· NEW! Product Life Cycle Analysis

· Scenario Analysis

· Macroenvironmental (STEEP/PEST) Analysis

· SWOT Analysis

· Value Chain Analysis

· NEW! Win/Loss Analysis

 

If you’re a manager or business owner, you need tools to make better decisions–about business strategy, marketing, competition, positioning, product development, and much more. In Analysis Without Paralysis, Second Edition, two renowned experts on business analysis and strategy bring you those tools, in plain English!

 

Babette Bensoussan and Craig Fleisher teach you exactly what you need to know to use these tools, even if you’ve never performed business analysis before. They begin with a practical, realistic introduction to the analysis process, and then walk you through twelve essential analysis techniques.

 

You’ll master classic approaches like SWOT analysis and Porter’s Five Forces, as well as the latest approaches to competitor, financial, issue, and value chain analysis. Bensoussan and Fleisher guide you through analyzing global, social, political, and macroenvironmental challenges that will shape the future of your business. In this edition, they also add three new techniques–Driving Forces, Product Life Cycle, and Win/Loss–plus new example data throughout.

 

For every tool, the authors present clear descriptions, context, rationales, strengths, weaknesses, step-by-step instructions, and case studies. The result: a book you can rely on to address any strategic or business challenge–whatever your role, experience, industry, or environment.

 

Don’t just collect data–use it for competitive advantage

Uncover correlations, assess trends, identify performance gaps, and identify your best opportunities

 

Get truly actionable outputs from your analysis

Perform future-oriented analysis that leads to better competitive strategies and tactics

 

Use analysis to anticipate and adapt to rapid change

Get early warnings of emerging threats–and respond more quickly

About the Author:

Babette E. Bensoussan is best known as an international specialist in strategy and competition, and as founder and director of The MindShifts Group. With an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge she has undertaken major studies for and consulted to Australian and Global Fortune 500 companies. She has undertaken over 300 competitive intelligence projects and consulted to a wide range of industries and markets.  Babette is a brilliant presenter and communicator, and conducts training, workshops and individual mentoring on a worldwide basis to assist with the development and implementation of competitive strategies, competitive intelligence programs, and strategic planning.

Apart from her active business endeavours, Babette has taught Competitive Intelligence in undergraduate business and MBA programs both in Australia and China. In 2012, she was appointed Adjunct Professor, School of Business, University of Technology Sydney.

 

 Dr. Craig S. Fleisher is the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) of one of the globe's leading intelligence consultancies, Aurora WDC. Google’s top-cited CI scholar and a frequent keynote speaker, Craig has authored several essential CI books including Analysis without Paralysis 2nd Ed (FT Press, 2013), Business and Competitive Analysis (FT Press, 2007), and Strategic and Competitive Analysis (Pearson, 2003), among others. A former SCIP president, current Fellow and Meritorious Award winner, he was inaugural chair of the Competitive Intelligence Foundation, and founding editor of the Journal of Competitive Intelligence and Management. His PhD in Business is from Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business. An internationally-focused adviser instructing mainly executive learners, he has held positions including MBA Director, Business School Dean and Chaired Professor at a variety of universities in over half a dozen countries.

 

Bensoussan and Fleisher are also the authors of the well known Business and Competitive Analysis book, a must have for any corporate analyst.