Optimizing Strategy For Results

“It is not often one comes across any book that successfully combines principles, practices, and people. All three are required for success in any domain, and here the authors show how to effectively align them for results in an ever-changing world. A handbook for anyone who wants to develop and implement strategy that works.”

—Padraig Berry, managing director, TTI Success Insights Ireland Limited

“Optimizing Strategy for Results is a terrifically written book that distills the complexity of organizational culture, strategy, and individual aspiration into a clear path of organizational success. Handling the new normal of volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments takes a clear vision, set of values, and purpose. Optimizing Strategy for Results will be a wonderful thought partner that helps organizations navigate these uncharted times and environments we find ourselves in.”

—Ted Epperly, MD, president and CEO, Family Medicine Residency of Idaho; past president and board chairman, American Academy of Family Physicians

“Optimizing Strategy for Results distills essential steps and a road map for the business strategy development process, expressed with clarity, inspiring and beautifully delineated complexity, to provoke a strategic mindset in illustratively cinematic terms. The authors brilliantly simplify strategy in precise, unsentimental prose for any category of business.”

—Dr. Charles Borura, IT governance and strategy, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya

“Optimizing Strategy for Results offers a pragmatic approach to strategic management practice. It is one of its kind in Kenya and, indeed, globally. This is especially demonstrated in the tools incorporated in the book. It is a recommended reference book for strategic management practitioners whose intention is to be of real positive impact to the organizations they serve. This is irrespective of whether serving as corporate executives or as consultants.”

—Patrick Mutisya, former Group CEO, Sovereign Group Ltd; former CFO, Kenya Cooperative Creameries

“Thoughtful, precise, forthright, and helpful. The authors are able to get right at the issues that need attention. This new book proactively helps organizations with their strategic planning by providing clarity regardless of the complexity of the organizational context. In addition, the authors bring a rare combination of organizational culture and results being equally attainable. The cultural competencies and international experiences of the authors make this a must-read for strategic leadership.”

—Dr. Eric Forseth, Holland Christian CEO/head of schools; past provost Dordt University, VP at Northwest Nazarene & Mount Vernon Nazarene University

“Optimizing Strategy for Results offers a thorough, analytical assessment of the pro- cess of strategic planning. This book is divided into three segments—preparation, creating strategy, and optimizing strategy—which allows a systematic approach for applying strategic planning in your organization. Each chapter ends with segments on taking action and key takeaways, which provides you with triggers to integrate these academic concepts into your planning process.”

—Dr. Lisa M. Aldisert, executive advisor and author, Pharos Alliance

“It has been a most exciting and rewarding time reading Optimizing Strategy for Results. It is an excellent and timely piece coming at the high peak of a very unpredictable, volatile, and ambiguous business environment. It is spot-on, clear, innovative, and simple in illustrating this complex environment we refer to as VUCA. I found this book interesting, very easy to understand, and very relevant. This progressively encouraging book will be of great value to many; individuals, families, and leaders in SMEs (small to medium sized businesses), as well as big business in the private and public sectors. It is recommended for all libraries and for those who seek and pursue growth and business sustainability in both good and not-so-good times.

The authors recommendation for a “wirearchy,” as well as the deployment of situational leaders comes as a correct and timely antidote for collapsing hierarchical systems in turbulent times. Optimization of the knowledge and skills, as well as the utilization of the tools provided in this book, will truly enliven any business.”

—Professor Peter M. F. Mbithi, former vice chancellor, University of Nairobi, Kenya

“What if things go wrong? Are we on the right path? Are you making the right choices and tradeoffs, and are you deliberately choosing to be different in development and execution of your strategy? If you often find yourself pondering over these questions then look no further. This three-part, seven stage book by Professor Timothy Waema, Ron Price, and Dr. Evans Baiya will equip you with a new way of not only working but also a new way of developing and executing a resilient strategy for your organization.

I have enjoyed reading this book, as it is practical. My favorite parts are on building strategic intelligence and building strategic partnerships. It’s definitely my new guide.”

—Ms. Millicent Awiti, strategy and change manager, National Social Security Fund, Kenya

“Many of us naively think of strategy as a brilliant blueprint that can magically take us to the realization of a powerful vision. Little do we know of the dangers lurking in our path. Peter Drucker has made it common knowledge that culture could eat strategy for breakfast. Yet few strategists get behind the scenes and address cultural issues. In this book, the authors place due emphasis on communication—such an important element in culture building. By reiterating the importance of communicating the why, what, when, who, and how of strategy, they draw in the stakeholders, giving them clarity and drawing them into ownership of the execution plan, thus improving chances of success.

This book comes at a time when most organizations are desperate for answers on how to navigate a VUCA world. In this book, we begin to get answers tied into strategy. The authors acknowledge the need for agility and invite organizations to speed up their response by relying on competence-based teams rather than on hierarchy. They offer ways of accelerating response times by providing clarity around what strategic decisions need to be made, by whom, and by when.

I particularly like the fact that this book puts people upfront and center by pointing out the need to place people where they are best suited and by showing everyone in the organization how to be customer-centric—literally making them feel and visualize superior customer value and then go after it.”

—Dr. Vincent Ogutu, vice-chancellor, Strathmore University, Kenya

“Well done for the effort and commitment to get this book out! It is always great to read a book done by friends and be refreshed. I am sure other readers will find the same excitement as me. This book addresses a gap in strategy on issues relating to the current environment of VUCA and beyond: the coming of Gen Z to the workplace; the era of alternative reality, fake news, and social media; the emergence of China and the Silk Road strategy; Covid and other health issues; and the emergence of Africa post-colonial and its young people in an era of broad bandwidth and the internet. This book is simple enough to lay readers and challenging enough to the discerning strategist.”

—Dr. Julius Kipngetich

National trade marketing and sales campaign

Advance distribution of digital ARC to reviewers, bloggers, journalists, librarians, booksellers, and media via NetGalley

Online marketing campaign, including targeted advertising via Ingram and Publishers Weekly and giveaways via Goodreads