Big Think Strategy: How to Leverage Bold Ideas and Leave Small Thinking Behind

Bernd H. Schmitt

''In order to achieve big, you must think big''. Big Think Strategy, as promoted by Bernd Schmitt, may seem obvious, but, as the author points out, the vast majority of businesses are unable to accommodate it as they are trapped in a "small thinking" paradigm. Small think strategies are paralysed in focusing on analysis of past and present performance and their risk aversion to future endeavors. They produce streamlining, efficiency targets, methodically tested processes, and industry standard benchmarking, all geared towards attaining competitive advantage through operational effectiveness. Big think strategies, by comparison, deal with creativity and visionary leadership, bold ideas and actions with long-term, lasting impact.

After explaining the theory of big think strategy, Schmitt sets out a clear guide to achieving lasting, sustainable big think strategy in any company. With the application of the tools presented in the book, Schmitt shows exactly how to bring big thinking into a company and then make it work positively. He uses his creativity and ingenuity along with applied instructions to prove his case. The theoretical inspiration comes in the form of everything from films and Greek mythology to musical composers, while the practical side comes from case studies of big thinking conglomerates of the 21st century, including Apple, IBM and General Electric. Through an exploration of these compelling studies and a wealth of lively insight, Schmitt crystallises six key tasks an organisation needs to follow in order to master big think strategy. These are:
 

• Sourcing "new" ideas
• Evaluating the ideas
• Turning the ideas into a big think strategy
• Executing the strategy
• Sustaining big think

Big Think Strategy can show any company leader how to overcome institutionalised inertia, incremental change and risk aversion to embrace new, formidable, big thinking strategies for action. Whether the company is new and looking to make an impact on an established market, continuing a legacy of existing big think strategy, or looking to fundamentally change its core strategy, this book is full of the practical ideas and tools needed at any level to adopt and sustain big thinking change.