“Risk is a function of how poorly a strategy will perform if the ‘wrong’ scenario occurs.”

Efforts to preserve all industries will lower the national standard of living.

If a strategy meets a goal: It’s working. If a strategy meets a target: It’s a success.

Innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity.

Sound strategy starts with having the right goal

Competitive strategy is about being different. It means deliberately choosing a different set of activities to deliver a unique mix of value.

If your goal is anything but profitability – if it’s to be big, or to grow fast, or to become a technology leader – you’ll hit problems.

Without a goal analytics is aimless and worthless.

A strategy delineates a territory in which a company seeks to be unique.

The ability to change constantly and effectively is made easier by high-level continuity.

A target should go with every goal. A target is the value that defines success.

Change brings opportunities. On the other hand, change can be confusing.

Companies operating in urban communities have a tremendous ripple effect.

Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it’s about deliberately choosing to be different.

Strategy is about setting yourself apart from the competition. It’s not a matter of being better at what you do – it’s a matter of being different at what you do.

Billions are wasted on ineffective philanthropy. Philanthropy is decades behind business in applying rigorous thinking to the use of money.

I teach in the medical school, the School of Public Health, the Kennedy School of Government, and the Business School. And it’s the best perch… because most of my work crosses boundaries.