Sound strategy starts with having the right goal

The U.S. is facing a structural competitiveness problem that is leading to the weakest economy we have seen in generations.

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 economic distress of America's inner cities may be the most pressing issue facing the nation. The lack of businesses and jobs in disadvantaged urban areas fuels not only a crushing cycle of poverty but also crippling social problems such as drug abuse and crime… A sustainable economic base can be created in the inner city, but only as it has been created elsewhere: through private, for-profit initiatives and investment based on economic self-interest and genuine competitive advantage.

The chief strategist of an organization has to be the leader - the CEO.

Risk is a function of how poorly a strategy will perform if the 'wrong' scenario occurs.

Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it's about deliberately choosing to be different.