Summary of The 80/20 Principle and 92 Other Powerful Laws of Nature

While they were unlocking the secrets of the universe, scientists like Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein also discovered principles that are relevant to business, says entrepreneur Richard Koch. In this wide-ranging, dense but well-organized survey of science and commerce, he draws management lessons using 93 “power laws” (the familiar 80/20 principle and 92 more) from biology, evolutionary psychology, physics, game theory and chaos theory. Disappointingly, some lessons prove to be mere analogies: A subatomic particle can be in two places at once, so you should adopt a “both-and” approach to decision-making. And Koch’s theory descriptions can be too cryptic. But in the extensive sections on competition and nonlinear systems, his advice is specific and utilitarian, and the parallels with science are direct and illuminating. As a bonus, Koch provides a quick refresher on the history of science over the last 300 years, and his crisp layout and lists add clarity. getAbstract recommends his insights and methods to business students, managers and entrepreneurs seeking a fresh perspective on strategy.