Playing to Win by A. G. Lafley, Roger L. Martin Summary
Overview of Playing to Win
Former P&G CEO Lafley and strategy guru Martin reveal the five-question framework that transformed global corporations. Wall Street Journal bestseller praised by Daniel Pink as "prime seats at the Super Bowl of strategy." What strategic choices separate winners from the merely competitive?
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Key takeaways
When the World's Biggest Consumer Company Almost Collapsed
In 2000, Procter & Gamble-the titan behind Tide, Pampers, and dozens of household staples-was hemorrhaging value. Stock prices plummeted, innovation stalled, and competitors were circling. Then came A.G. Lafley, a quiet executive who did something radical: he stopped trying to do everything. Instead, he asked five brutally simple questions that would transform P&G from a struggling giant into a $100 billion powerhouse. Within nine years, sales doubled and profits quadrupled. What were those questions? They form what's called the strategic choice cascade, and they've since reshaped how companies from Apple to Starbucks think about winning. This isn't abstract theory-it's a practical blueprint for making the hard choices that separate market leaders from also-rans. Here's the uncomfortable truth: most companies don't have strategies. They have visions, plans, and best practices-but not strategies. Real strategy means deliberately choosing different activities to create unique value. It means saying no to good opportunities so you can say yes to great ones.
Strategy Means Choosing What Not to Do-And Winning Where You Play
The Geography of Competition and Where-to-Play Choices
Two Paths to Victory: Cost Leadership and Differentiation
The Activity System That Holds It Together
Making Strategy Real Through Systems and Measurement
The Power of Asking "What Would Have to Be True?" and Recognizing Winning Strategies
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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