Book Review

Judo Strategy Can Give Businesses of All Sizes a Fighting Chance

Reviewed by Frank Szivos, Angel Investor News Editor

Business typically relies on analogies to understand how it all works. David B. Yoffie and Mary Kwak, authors of “Judo Strategy” published by Harvard Business School Press relies on the analogy of the martial art to explain how to get ahead in business.

Judo relies on a simple, but powerful philosophy: rather than oppose strength to strength, successful competitors use their opponents’ size and power to win against opposing odds. Yoffie, a professor at Harvard Business School and Kwak, a Harvard research associate, based their thesis on extensive research.

They use examples from companies both large and small to demonstrate how managers can translate their core principles of judo – relying on skill rather than strength – to develop a winning business strategy.

Judo Strategy also offers a judo toolbox that provides concrete examples of when to use the strategies. The goal of judo strategy is not just to gain a toehold in the market, but gain continued growth.

The book explores three principles of judo that apply to business – movement, balance and leverage. Movement throws your competitors off balance and neutralizes their initial advantages. Balance helps companies engage with competitors and survive an attack. Leverage enables you to win against an opponent. When used together, these three principles will help a company take on any competitor regardless of size.

Yoffie and Kwak admit that even good judo strategists will sometimes lose – sometimes because they have a better opponent, sometimes because they violate the principles of judo strategy and sometimes because when it comes to implementation, they simply fall short.

The book is essential readers for beginners competing against formidably established companies. In chapters 2-4, Yoffie and Kwak explore a number of cases that show how companies employ the three judo principles to compete. In chapters 5-7, the book explores how managers and companies have embraced the principles to build successful companies. Part III focuses on fighting back and fighting on.

Judo Strategy develops five practical judo principles that managers should follow:

• Maintain a deep focus on your core business
• Stay on the offensive, but avoid frontal assaults
• Plan and be prepared to pivot
• Look for leverage in the strongest places
• Face the music; don’t procrastinate

Metaphors are pervasive in business because they help jumpstart thinking. The power of the metaphor lies in the ability to uncover the common element in dissimilar things. But by picking your metaphor carefully can turn a part of speech into a valuable tool. In Judo Strategy, the metaphor becomes a device for observing, analyzing and strategizing to create a successful business.

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