A century-old strategy holds the secret to toppling corporate giants. 'In a world where advantage increasingly depends upon movement rather than position, "Judo Strategy" drills home the ultimate principle of strategy: maximize impact while minimizing effort. This is easy to say but difficult to accomplish. The authors provide pragmatic techniques and examples to help make this principle come alive. Don't enter the market without this book' - John Hagel, Author, "Net Gain and Net Worth", and Chief Strategy Officer, 12 Entrepreneuring, Inc. Why do some companies succeed in defeating stronger rivals, while others fail? This is a question that, sooner or later, all ambitious competitors must face.Whether you're a tiny start-up taking on industry giants or a giant moving into markets dominated by powerful incumbents, the basic problem remains the same: How do you compete with opponents who have size, strength, and history on their side? The answer lies in a simple but powerful lesson: Rather than oppose strength to strength, successful challengers use their opponents' size and power to bring them down. This is the message at the heart of "Judo Strategy". Based on extensive research by Harvard Business School professor David Yoffie and research associate Mary Kwak, "Judo Strategy" introduces a groundbreaking approach to competition that shows companies how to win against imposing odds. Using vivid examples from companies ranging from Wal-Mart and Charles Schwab to Juniper Networks and Palm Computing, the authors demonstrate how managers can translate the core principles of judo - a martial art that prizes skill not size - into a winning business strategy.By mastering movement, managers learn to seize the lead and make the most of their initial advantage. By maintaining balance, they can successfully engage with opponents and respond to rivals' attacks. And finally, by exploiting leverage, managers can transform their competitors' strengths into strategic liabilities. This book will help any company - large or small, new or old, virtual or physical - become a more effective competitor. In addition to developing the concept of judo strategy, it presents a defensive primer - in the form of "sumo strategy" - for companies facing judo attacks.Packed with the insights of world-class managers and strategists, "Judo Strategy" does double duty: it can help you become a giant-killer, while also teaching you to protect your hard-fought position from challengers in the wings.
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Amazon.com Review
Judo, often translated as "the way of gentleness," is a century-old martial art that employs quickness and agility to help devotees overcome adversaries who seem--at least on the surface--to be more powerful. In Judo Strategy, David B. Yoffie, a professor of International Business Administration at Harvard Business School, and Mary Kwak, a Harvard research associate, turn these principles around for a corporate audience, showing how they can also be used to help companies battle bigger and stronger competitors. The metaphor has been used before in business and economic examples, the authors concede, "yet no one, to our knowledge, had tried to use judo as the basis for a systematic way of thinking about strategy." In the pages that follow, they begin by delving into the three primary tenets of the discipline (movement, balance, and leverage), and show specifically how each could be applied in business. They then explore the way three prominent New Economy companies (Palm Computing, RealNetworks, and CNET Networks) have successfully put the strategy into practice. Finally, they offer insight into fending off others who employ the judo strategy. In all, an original and practical management approach. --Howard Rothman
Review
"...Mr. Yoffie and Ms. Kwak use the judo metaphor with perfect sensibility." -- Dallas Morning News
"...when taken to the mat, the book stands the test." -- Entrepreneur Magazine
"Judo Strategy is a lively, detailed analysis of how small companies can compete against larger ones." -- Business Week
"Yoffie and Kwak successfully follow through on a simple approach that delivers useful advice for any manager." -- Computerworld
"...when taken to the mat, the book stands the test." -- Entrepreneur Magazine
"Judo Strategy is a lively, detailed analysis of how small companies can compete against larger ones." -- Business Week
"Yoffie and Kwak successfully follow through on a simple approach that delivers useful advice for any manager." -- Computerworld
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Taking examples primarily from the high-technology business world of the past 7 years, Yoffie and Kwak use the sports of Judo and Sumo as metaphors to analyze small, new companies competing against large, entrenched companies. A brief introduction to the sport of Judo is followed by an overview of the Principles of Judo Strategy in business -- Movement, Balance, and Grip - with short examples of companies as varied as Amazon.com, Capital One, Charles Schwab, Dell, eBay, Frontier Airlines, Inktomi, Intuit, Juniper Networks, JVC, Netscape, People Express, Priceline.com, and Transmeta using these strategies (mostly) successfully. CNET Networks, Palm Computing, and Real Networks each get a chapter of their own discussing their use of Judo Strategy in detail.
Of course the upstart company does not always win, so the authors introduce the sport of Sumo and then describe how to apply Sumo Strategy to deal with a Judo strategist, using examples of behavior by AOL, Cisco, Coca Cola, Du Pont, Intel, Microsoft, and Texas Instruments.
I enjoyed the judo and sumo metaphors and especially all the stories about companies that had used these strategies successfully. The only suggestion for improvement I might offer the authors is to include more examples of companies (like Netscape) who violated these strategies and paid the price.
Judo Strategy winds down with a list of five rules for the Judo Strategist, which I will summarize as: Focus, Execute, Be Nimble, Leverage Creatively, and Cut Your Losses Quickly. I was particularly impressed by the passion, energy, intellect and dogged determination required of a small company leader to compete successfully with a large company. The commitment over a long period of years by a single leader sets a very important tone for a company, and events like George Sheehan leaving WebVan [I wrote this review before WebVan folded!] or Peter Neupert kicking himself upstairs to Chairman at Drugstore.com should be seen as critical warning signs about the long-term viability of those companies.
Of course the upstart company does not always win, so the authors introduce the sport of Sumo and then describe how to apply Sumo Strategy to deal with a Judo strategist, using examples of behavior by AOL, Cisco, Coca Cola, Du Pont, Intel, Microsoft, and Texas Instruments.
I enjoyed the judo and sumo metaphors and especially all the stories about companies that had used these strategies successfully. The only suggestion for improvement I might offer the authors is to include more examples of companies (like Netscape) who violated these strategies and paid the price.
Judo Strategy winds down with a list of five rules for the Judo Strategist, which I will summarize as: Focus, Execute, Be Nimble, Leverage Creatively, and Cut Your Losses Quickly. I was particularly impressed by the passion, energy, intellect and dogged determination required of a small company leader to compete successfully with a large company. The commitment over a long period of years by a single leader sets a very important tone for a company, and events like George Sheehan leaving WebVan [I wrote this review before WebVan folded!] or Peter Neupert kicking himself upstairs to Chairman at Drugstore.com should be seen as critical warning signs about the long-term viability of those companies.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Donna
Format:Hardcover
Okay, I'm biased about this book. After all, our story (the Palm story) is well profiled in it! But I do believe that Yoffie and Kwak have captured and articulated well some of the essential elements of our strategy. Judo Strategy gives solid advice, and is loaded with examples, for those entrepreneurs who dare to compete against industry giants. Refreshingly, it also instructs you on what NOT to do, which is sometimes even more important. I recommend this book for anybody who choses to compete with market leaders.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This is a great book for anyone competing with the 800 pound gorilla of their industry. It gave me a lot of ideas about how to look beyond other companies' strengths and take advantage of their weaknesses. The examples are inspiring (especially the examples of moves to avoid, like getting into a war of attrition). If you work anywhere other than Microsoft, you should definitely read this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read!!
This book is helping me dominate my much larger and iconic competitors by taking some of there market share! Has clear and simple strategies that are powerful.
Published 11 months ago by OPM45 Kato
4.0 out of 5 stars
Getting from a Reactionary Mode to a Strategizing Position
Written in 2001, many of the corporate players may have changed, but the lessons are timeless in changing from a corporate reactionary stance to one of skilled forethought about... Read more
Published on March 5, 2011 by Becky Bruso
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best business book
The book is very good and give the reader a broad perspective and 360 degree view of business model. It tells you how to think on another side of what we thought. Read more
Published on October 20, 2003 by "kampolpop"
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good...
Several good ideas in this book on marketing strategies for smaller companies; that made the book worth reading. The author spent too much time on the discussion of Judo. Read more
Published on September 7, 2002 by J. West
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clever analogy with great insights
The judo analogy is a very clever way to explore how small companies can defeat large companies. I particularly liked the ideas of the "puppy dog ploy", push when... Read more
Published on June 9, 2002
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hindsight strategy: Leveraging the Obvious to get consulting
The usual garbage. Let's find a firm which has succeeded (for example RealNetworks) despite small size, and force fit it into our facile strategic model. Read more
Published on June 3, 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maximizing Speed, Balance, and Leverage
In their Preface, Yoffie and Kwak explain that their book "is built on two broad metaphors that we hope readers will find compelling in thinking about the strategic challenges... Read more
Published on May 2, 2002 by Robert Morris
4.0 out of 5 stars
You don't have to be the biggest to win
Judo Strategy uses Judo as an analogy for competing against a larger and more powerful competitor. The Columbia Encyclopedia defines Judo as in the following way: [Judo] depends... Read more
Published on February 25, 2002 by Martin Schray
5.0 out of 5 stars
Your rivals can be toppled by their own commitments
Yoffie & Kwak have written a terrific practical guide to winning a competitive battle against a business rival. Read more
Published on February 18, 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended
I read dozens of business books every year, and this one is a standout. In clear compelling language, Yoffie and Kwak lay out a set of strategic principles and techniques that... Read more
Published on November 27, 2001 by "sanjeev94"
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 16
books:
See all 16 books this book cites
3
books
cite this book:
- Competing On Internet Time: Lessons From Netscape And Its Battle With Microsoft by Michael A. Cusumano on 7 pages
- Kodokan Judo: The Essential Guide to Judo by Its Founder Jigoro Kano by Jigoro Kano in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Sumo a Pocket Guide by David Shapiro in Back Matter
- Smith Barney by Vault Reports in Back Matter
- Five Years by Howard Williamson in Back Matter
See all 16 books this book cites
- Healthcare Strategy: In Pursuit of Competitive Advantage by Roice D. Luke on page 128
- Engineering Your Start-Up: A Guide for the High-Tech Entrepreneur (2nd Edition) by James A. Swanson in Back Matter
- Art of Prayer by Bruce Durbin on page 73
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