Book review of “Steps to strategic management: A guide for entrepreneurs” by Rick Molz

When it comes to reading business management books, most people believe that these books only appeal to a specific niche of readers, such as scholars and students who are involved in the study and promotion of the science of management.

However, the book titled “Steps to strategic management: A guide for entrepreneurs”, written by Dr. Rick Molz, Professor of International Business and Strategic Management at Concordia University in Canada, could be one of those cases that the above statement simply does not apply.

What you can find in the book

It wouldn’t be far from the truth to say that this book on strategic management is a real hidden gem in the ocean of books on the same subject.

Rick Molz manages to kill two birds with one stone.

On the one hand, he manages to capture the reader’s interest right from the beginning, through a basic plot that is based on two characters; himself teaching management at a local college, and a local entrepreneur who wants to grow his business, and asks Molz’s help to achieve that.

On the other hand, he explains complex strategic management concepts and theories, such as SWOT analysis and Porter’s 5 forces model, in a simple, straightforward, and practical way that enables the easy adoption and implementation of those ideas in practice by a business owner with no academic qualifications or background.

What I think of the book

I read the book in 2005, after 17 years had passed from its publication date.

The fact that it was published back in 1988, could cause people to think that it was outdated at the time, which would make it even more irrelevant and unsuitable for use in the modern business environment.

Far from it, I would say.

The book is as fresh and current today, as it was at the time that it was published.

This itself proves that the book has maintained its value through the years.

What is more, since the book has stood the test of time, the author’s approach to strategic management could offer a golden opportunity to today’s business owners and managers, if they decided to follow this approach.

How this book has helped me

Through this book, I have become familiar with a strategic approach that I didn’t know before, in terms of identifying, setting, achieving, and revising goals in both my personal and professional life.

It has fit perfectly and supplemented my traditional textbook approach to reaching goals.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover it back in 2005, and it hasn’t stopped amazing me with those little secrets that I manage to reveal every time that I find the opportunity to read it again.

What I don’t like about the book

There is one thing that I don’t like about this book, and this is the fact that it has not been promoted as much as it should have been.

If it was, more people would be able to discover it and benefit from the ideas presented in it.

In the Internet-era that we live in, it would be a great idea to offer readers a pre-taste of what’s included in the book.

For example, it would be a great idea to upload a preview of it to Google books.

I strongly believe that this would have a positive effect on the book’s sales, and further increase its reach to new readers.

Where you can find the book

You can find the book on Amazon.

Unfortunately, it is not available on Google books or Google Play.

Sources and further reading:

Rick Molz – LinkedIn profile

Rick Molz – Biography

Steps to strategic management – Goodreads

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