Beyond the Core

In this summary you will learn

• Why regular, profitable, sustainable growth is vital
• Why “adjacency moves” provide the best opportunities to expand
• What the primary requirements are for such moves
• What directions such moves often take
• Which broad criteria you can use to determine when and why you should or should not make a particular adjacency move

getAbstract rating

Why you should read Beyond the Core

To the CEO, nothing is (or should be) more important than business growth. Chris Zook, an expert on corporate growth strategies, explains why you should focus your expansion and growth efforts on “adjacencies” that closely align with your current core activities. Zook bases his observations and recommendations on extensive research: He profiles 25 corporate growth leaders; analyzes 12 pairs of companies that were comparable in the 1990s but are no longer in the same league, as one company has outpaced its match in terms of growth and profits; reviews 181 initiatives for corporate growth; and covers a trio of in-depth surveys of executive attitudes and insights on growth. Zook makes numerous recommendations, backed by research, on how your company can achieve sustainable growth through adjacency expansion. He also warns against mistakes such as ill-advised mergers and acquisitions, poorly planned product introductions and unwise market expansions. Indeed, with certain growth plans, sometimes the smartest move is “just say no.” getAbstract is impressed with this book, which is an ideal resource for senior corporate executives, boards of directors and investors who must assess the risks and benefits of growth proposals.

About the Author

Chris Zook has a Ph.D. from Harvard, and is a partner and co-head of the Global Strategy Practice at a major management consultancy. He is the author of Profit from the Core and Unstoppable, which, with Beyond the Core, form a trilogy of books on business growth.