Entrepreneur's Strategy Guide

In an environment where the chances of failure are much greater than success, what will make your company a winner? Drawing from fifty years of experience, research, and observation in entrepreneurial strategy, Tom Cannon offers a game plan for entrepreurs. Dividing the book into two basic parts—the marketplace (external environment) and the organization (internal environment)—he outlines the ten core capabilities that every business must master in order to be successful. Illustrating each principle through examples of real companies, and engaging the reader through diagnostics, checklists, and other interactive exercises, Cannon presents an essential resource for entrepreneurs; managers of startups, spinoffs, and other entrepreneurial units; and students of strategy and business development. At the heart of the book is an emphasis on how entrepreneurs can execute ambitious visions and strategies by mastering the basics and recognizing opportunities to continuously improve and innovate.

Tom Cannon is a marketing and strategic planning consultant, specializing in startups and small businesses. Throughout his career, he has audited client's competitive environments, developed business plans, and conducted seminars, retreats, and problem-solving workshops for small to large companies in many industries. Over the last few years, his main client work has been as a consultant with the Service Corps of Retired Executives. He is the author of Marketing: Text and Cases, Business Strategy and Policy, and of No Miracles for Hire.