Harvard Business Review

APRIL 3, 2017

The CEO of a large Australian company called me to relay a particular strategy development problem his firm was facing, and ask for my advice. Despite what many think, there are not generically great ways to win — e.g., being a first mover or a fast follower or a branded player or a cost leader.

First-mover Advantage 15

First-mover Advantage Retail Strategy Pharmaceuticals 15

Harvard Business Review

APRIL 18, 2012

This was just one round in a developing fight over the rules and norms that govern the international political economy. Writing in 1979, Roger Hansen (in Beyond the North-South Stalemate ) succinctly characterized the choices faced by developed and developing countries in the face of these demands. In retrospect, not very much.

Globalization 11

Globalization Banking Restructuring Politics 11

Harvard Business Review

NOVEMBER 22, 2010

The theme of the big event was "Technology-led Transition and Innovation-driven Development," which sounds broad. But dont count them out for long; if theres one thing Chinese companies are good at, its implementing a "fast follower" strategy. This last article is the one that really grabbed my attention.

NGO 14

NGO Chemicals Guidelines Telecommunications 14

Harvard Business Review

MARCH 15, 2016

GV portfolio company Savioke found itself in this same situation: the team had spent months developing a delivery robot for hotels, but felt paralyzed by big questions about the robot’s personality and behavior. Sprints encourage fast follow-up.

Consensus 8

Consensus Hotels Project Fast Follower 8

Harvard Business Review

MARCH 12, 2012

The topic — part of a series on innovation sponsored by Singapore's Economic Development Board and coordinated by Harvard Business Review — was "What's the Right Entry Point for Emerging Markets: Target Customers at the Bottom or the Middle of the Pyramid?". You also need to re-think how you organize.

Marketing 13

Marketing Hedge Chief Technology Officer Supply Chain 13

Harvard Business Review

NOVEMBER 14, 2012

That is, your innovation offer is so compelling or valuable that your customers willingly to adapt themselves to it (these themes are developed more explicitly in my Harvard Business Review Press ebook ). Being a "fast follower" is much easier to manage than being a "fast transformer."

Consensus 8

Consensus Welch Retail CEO 8

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 1, 2015

The contrast could not be clearer: Amazon – fearlessly making big, risky bets like a serial entrepreneur; and Microsoft, eschewing disruptive innovation in favor of remaining the “ fast follower ” it has always been, wringing profit from previously proven technologies. There are some interesting recent developments.

Company 8

Company Software Long-term Disruptive Innovation 8

Harvard Business Review

JANUARY 23, 2014

For example, new product development may be the lifeblood of a consumer products company—and thus need to be cultivated and resourced carefully—while in a low-cost producer, or fast follower company, product development may be only a nice-to-have activity.

Ulrich 8

Ulrich Cost Efficiency Consultative 8

Harvard Business Review

JULY 7, 2016

Together they’d decided to invest a sizable portion of their meager marketing budget to partner with Soledad on developing and testing several marketing messages in key expansion markets, such as the UK. “I founded this company to give Peruvians stable, well-paying jobs and to help develop a new class of entrepreneurs.

Case Study 9

Case Study Price Brand Focus Group 9