Quotes by Michael Porter

• Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it's about deliberately choosing to be different.
• The ability to change constantly and effectively is made easier by high-level continuity.
• The best CEOs I know are teachers, and at the core of what they teach is strategy.
• The chief strategist of an organization has to be the leader - the CEO.
• The company without a strategy is willing to try anything.
• Sound strategy starts with having the right goal.
• The essence of strategy is that you must set limits on what you're trying to accomplish.
• So companies have to be very schizophrenic. On one hand, they have to maintain continuity of strategy. But they also have to be good at continuously improving.
• The thing is, continuity of strategic direction and continuous improvement in how you do things are absolutely consistent with each other. In fact, they're mutually reinforcing.
• The underlying principles of strategy are enduring, regardless of technology or the pace of change.
• There's a fundamental distinction between strategy and operational effectiveness.
• The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.
• A strategy delineates a territory in which a company seeks to be unique.
• Innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity.
• If your goal is anything but profitability - if it's to be big, or to grow fast, or to become a technology leader - you'll hit problems.
• If all you're trying to do is essentially the same thing as your rivals, then it's unlikely that you'll be very successful.
• Finally, strategy must have continuity. It can't be constantly reinvented.
• Change brings opportunities. On the other hand, change can be confusing.
• Strategy 101 is about choices: You can't be all things to all people.
• Billions are wasted on ineffective philanthropy. Philanthropy is decades behind business in applying rigorous thinking to the use of money.
• Companies operating in urban communities have a tremendous ripple effect.
• Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.