IMD Books
I by IMD Best Practice in Strategy
From adaptive thinking to real-world transformation – master the tools and mindsets that drive strategic impact.
This collection from I by IMD brings together conceptual frameworks and field-tested insights to help leaders navigate complexity, make better decisions, and implement lasting change. Part 1 offers practical tools for strategic clarity—from decision-making under uncertainty to stakeholder-driven sustainability. Part 2 showcases how Heineken, Mars Petcare, and Keppel turned bold strategies into measurable results. Honoring the legacy of Bettina Büchel, this volume reflects IMD’s mission: real learning for real impact.
What you’ll discover:
- How to stay calm and focused in chaos using the RPM cycle and six strategic disciplines
- A customizable Strategy Stack for making high-stakes decisions in dynamic environments
- Eight proven tactics for navigating geopolitical disruption, drawn from World Economic Forum research
- A five-step method for stakeholder-driven sustainability decisions that balance trade-offs
- How reverse positioning reveals customer perceptions—and reshapes competitive strategy
- Five principles for measuring strategic change and avoiding the “tunnel effect”
- How Heineken’s EverGreen strategy aligned five priorities to future-proof its business
- Why Mars Petcare’s purpose-led transformation redefined the pet care ecosystem
- How Keppel’s CEO turned a conglomerate discount into a global asset management opportunity
- The enduring influence of Bettina Büchel’s work on strategy execution and innovation
Publisher
IMD
Publication date
14 September 2025
“From strategic thinking and decision-making to navigating geopolitical tensions and sustainability mandates, this collection offers conceptually sound, real-world guidance.”
“Illustrated with detailed case studies from Heineken, Mars Petcare, and Keppel, this volume brings complex strategy concepts to life, transforming them into practical, actionable lessons that help leaders drive measurable and lasting impact.”
This book presents a curated selection of conceptually rigorous, practically relevant, and well-regarded articles authored by IMD faculty and esteemed external contributors. Covering key dimensions of strategy—from strategic thinking and decision-making under uncertainty to navigating geopolitical challenges, sustainability imperatives, and customer-focused approaches—the contributions are designed to enhance leaders’ analytical skills, broaden their perspective, and strengthen their ability to turn strategy into action.
Together, these insights aim to equip leaders with the tools and frameworks to drive meaningful, measurable, and sustained organizational impact.
Contents
Part 1: Strategic clarity in complexity: Tools for adaptive thinking and decision-making
- Strategic thinking will keep you calm amid the chaos – Michael Watkins
- Strategy stack: An integrated approach to decision-making – Albrecht Enders, Ajay K Kohli, Andreas König, Arnaud Chevallier
- Navigating geopolitical turmoil: 8 strategies for business leaders – Simon J Evenett
- Seeing the whole picture: Why perspective taking is a powerful tool for sustainable decision-making – Gabriele Rosani, Mattia Vettorello
- In your customers’ shoes: How reverse positioning can provide a useful change of perspective – Frédéric Dalsace
- Measuring change is difficult – here are 5 ways to help – Bettina Büchel
Part 2: Strategy in action: Wisdom from the field
- EverGreen – the future-proofing of Heineken – Niccolò Pisani
- Taking the lead: Mars Petcare and a purpose-led transformation – Thomas W Malnight
- Anchored, alert, and agile: How Keppel CEO engineered a change in fortune – Jean-François Manzoni
Explore IMD thought leadership on strategy and business impact
Is a lack of trust costing you? How a culture operating system separates winners from losers
Beware the silent fourth: Are you fawning your way through leadership?
CHROs: Think skills, not jobs, to realize radical productivity gains
Stressed by ambiguity? How to turn problems into opportunities
Creating value in today’s economy: lessons from the best for private equity
Learn with IMD
Strategy programs
Lead with forward-thinking strategy
We help leaders like you move from static plans to living strategies that deliver results and evolve with disruption. You’ll gain the tools, insights and perspective to move from strategy to future-ready execution – turning complexity into clarity, and ambition into action.