No Bullsh*t Strategy: A Founder’s Guide to Gaining Competitive Advantage with a Strategy That Actually Works

Do you ever get it when you’ve been living with a certain version of reality, then hear a completely different perspective and immediately know deep down that it’s the truth? That happens a lot with this book.I worked indirectly with Alex at a previous role and felt refreshed at the time by how his questions and perspectives cut through a lot of the egoic fluff of the incumbent leadership team’s thinking. Now I’m running my own business and was pleased to find Alex had written a book when I looked him up. Very digestible, fun and actionable, and easy to get through in a short space of time.

I've always been fond of small but powerful books, and this is a worthy addition to that category. I've read various books on strategy but always found them too detailed, academic and lacking in any real insight or power. Other books on this subject don't seem useful. This book, however, has both insight and practical value.The key message - real strategy is based on taking advantage of how you significantly differ from competitors based on the qualities within your business that already exist. Of course, there's more to it than that, but this insight, coupled with great examples and clear, concise writing, makes for a potent mix.I'd recommend this to anyone with an interest in developing useful knowledge about strategy.

Very easy read, interesting!great principles for business design, we will be implementing a number of suggested improvements to design a strong business strategy

Absolutely brilliant - Alex Smith packs a huge amount into his short book which in many ways is a summary and rearticulation of “Blue Ocean Strategy” but no worse for that.This book has a clear point of view and Smith absolutely sells his thesis. He explains how key differentiation is to any business strategy and then walks you through what that looks like (and what it doesn’t look like) in deeply practical ways all in a book would fit comfortably into most pockets.Lots to apply here for any founder or leader. In terms of value per word one of the best business books out there.

Direct book, easy to follow and very useful.One of the best business strategy books. It is essential to read to improve your business.

Planning and strategy building are my bread-and-butter. However, I have always struggled with complex theories about strategy, and I firmly believe that good ideas should be concise and straightforward. Alex has successfully revitalised this theme by keeping it short, simple and actionable.

Brilliant book and a must read/listen. I enjoyed the audio book so much I bought the hard copy as well.

Snappy, insightful and to the point. I read this over the course of a few days, really good book. The author has a really nice candid style that covers a lot of ground in a relatively short book. I’ve certainly taken insights away from the book that I will use at work.

Me ha gustado bastante el libro, con buenas ideas, con claridad, con buenos ejemplos; fue de bastante ayuda para entender lo que es en sí una estrategia y su importancia

As a publishing strategist and author, I’m always on the lookout for short, high-impact books — and this one delivers in spades. No Bullsh*t Strategy is sharp, clear and full of insight.Alex doesn’t just explain strategy — he rewires how you think about it. His core message, that strategy isn’t about being better but being different, is a game-changer. I’ve read countless business books, and this one stands out by being both deeply practical and genuinely enjoyable to read.I highlighted something on almost every page and find myself coming back to it regularly. It’s one of those rare books that earns a permanent spot in reach, not just on the shelf.Highly recommended for founders, creators, and anyone who wants to think more clearly — and strategically — about the work they do.— Debbie Jenkins, Publishing Strategist & Author

Conteúdo direto e concreto. Linguagem simples. Excelente para aqueles que desejam desenvolver iniciativas nessa área, independentemente do mercado onde atuam.

“No Bullsh*t Strategy: A Founder’s Guide to Gaining Competitive Advantage with a Strategy That Actually Works” is very short, but it gets straight to the point. There’s not much fluff, and that makes it easy to read in one or two sittings while still leaving you with clear ideas to chew on.What I found most valuable is how it forces you to step back and really think about your strategy—whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur refining an existing business or a startup founder trying to carve out an edge. It challenges you to focus on what truly creates competitive advantage instead of getting lost in buzzwords or generic planning. If you want a quick, direct reminder of what strategy should actually do for your company, this is a useful read.

The book does a really good job of summarizing strategy as a subject and tell you it's essence. Its a worthy read for anyone who wants to startup or work in the field of strategy