Perspectives on strategy from the Boston Consulting Group - Carl W. Stern

The Boston Consulting Group is an innovator in business strategy worldwide. In fact, BCG and its founder, Bruce D. Henderson, may be best known internationally as the creators and architects of the discipline of business strategy. Innovative business concepts originating at the firm include "cash cow," "experience curve," "segment–of–one® marketing," "time–based competition," and "capabilities–based competition." Now, for the Þrst time, BCG’s most influential writings are gathered in a comprehensive collection, offering serious–minded readers access to BCG’s thinking on the theory, development, and practice of business strategy.

"The majority of products in most companies are cash traps. . . . [They] are not only worthless, but a perpetual drain on corporate resources."

"Use more debt than your competition or get out of the business."

"Displacement of high–cost competitors by lower prices benefits the customer."

"As a strategic weapon, time is the equivalent of money, productivity, quality, even innovation."

"When brands become business systems, brand management becomes far too important to leave to the marketing department."

"The winning organization of the future will look more like a collection of jazz ensembles than a symphony orchestra."

"Most of our organizations today derive from a model whose original purpose was to control creativity."

"Dumping should be encouraged. It is a gift from the nation that provides the products."

"Taxes should be levied when, and only when, individuals disinvest in order to consume. Capital still at work should not be taxed at all."