To give you a bit of context, I’m more a visual than an audio learner. This is the first audiobook I am reviewing for NetGalley. It was available as a Read Now and I decided to take advantage of my commute to work and back to listen in. Over 3 trips, I was able to get the entire audiobook played and this makes me want to listen to more!

This book is full of great suggestions and tips on how to optimize for best results. It must have been written during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns as it is mentioned quite a bit. Also, the book goes over how the world is changing day to day. Basic business concepts are talked about, with additional examples and explanations to make sense of the concepts and ideas.

Anyone planning to start a business or organizing better processes within their business should consider reading this book. While it doesn’t go super into specifics, this is a general overview of how to strategize to achieve the results you’re looking for.

Thinking about the small business I work part-time at, it might be a great resource for the owner and management. But being that the business niche is super specific, it may not be detailed enough. It’s a general birds-eye view of the situations businesses might find themselves in.

I give this book 3 out of 5 tiaras. Let me explain why. I’m not an auditory learner so all the specifics mostly flew over my head. Also, while the narrator has a cool accent, it’s challenging to imagine a table of information. This book would likely be better for me to read in print.

Optimizing Strategy for Results is an excellent introduction to the foundations of business strategy for someone just starting out in their career, leaders at small to mid-size companies, and those who are looking for a high level summary on the topic. The book covers, broadly, frameworks for creating a business strategy in an environment dominated by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA), which is honestly all the world has known since March 13, 2020. If you are starting to learn about the Strategy & Transformation space, and need a place to start on how to organize your thoughts and vision, this book is an excellent place to start. As a Strategy & Transformation professional, I could see myself recommending this book to colleagues to help facilitate a mindset shift that would be beneficial to how we work together.

While I don't feel this book provides any profound insight into the world of business, strategy, transformation or innovation that would benefit a more seasoned professional, it is a good primer and discussion tool to facilitate discussions with teams and other leaders. The frameworks it provides, the focus on the importance of vision, and the focus on talent and diversity will provide a solid foundation for more nuanced and productive working conversations.

I am so happy that I came across this book because it:

- covers research on VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) environments,
- makes references to other research in the field,
- links strategy adoption to cultural the cultural environment, and many more!

I highly recommend this book for anyone doing research in the fields of management and organizational environments!

Special thanks to NetGalley, Greenleaf Audiobooks and the author for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

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