Michael Porter
Michael Porter
Michael Eugene Porter is an American academic known for his theories on economics, business strategy, and social causes. He is the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School, and he was one of the founders of the consulting firm The Monitor Group...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionEducator
CountryUnited States of America
generations problem economy
The U.S. is facing a structural competitiveness problem that is leading to the weakest economy we have seen in generations.
essence trying limits
The essence of strategy is that you must set limits on what you're trying to accomplish.
leader agendas needs
Good leaders need a positive agenda, not just an agenda of dealing with crisis.
fighting technology opportunity
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 over it.
effort standards industry
Efforts to preserve all industries will lower the national standard of living.
successful trying rivals
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.
effectiveness essentials strategy
Operational effectiveness and strategy are both essential to superior performance.
last loss ready taste thinking
We'll be ready for Thursday's game, but I know I'm thinking of Branson on Saturday. The taste from last year's loss is still there. We want to see Branson again.
academics business disagree managers satisfied
Too many academics and business managers are satisfied with the 'good feeling' as argument. I disagree completely.
basic both business competition corporate department determines drawn fascinated field harvard industrial later perhaps question strategy
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 was drawn to the field of competition and strategy because it tackles perhaps the most basic question in both business management and industrial economics: What determines corporate performance?
tasks
Unfortunately, I'm an engineer. I'm always thinking about, what's the task and how do I get it done? And some of my tasks are pretty broad, and pretty fuzzy, and pretty funky, but that's the way I think.
across clear cut instinct lay pare period reconnect worst
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 your strategy in mind. The worst mistake is to cut across the board. Instead, reconnect and recommit to a clear strategy that will distinguish yourself from others.
crucible early gives groups immigrant inner minorities phenomena spreading time
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 phenomena that are going to be spreading more broadly in the economy over time.
american-educator
Strategy 101 is about choices: You can't be all things to all people.