I often get asked, 'How do you learn Business Operations strategy?' There’s no single path so over the years, I’ve read and learned a lot. Here's the 6 foundational books that I recommend when people ask:
Thinking in Systems. Transforms complex system thinking into practical, actionable frameworks. This one arms you with what you need to break down complex processes, challenges and requirements into tactical plans.
The Goal. This one's written as a fictitious story that uses a high-stakes narrative to illustrate one of my favorite strategy frameworks: the Theory of Constraints. While you may think it's relevant only for manufacturing businesses, this is one of my fav business books of all time.
7 Powers Helmer breaks down enduring business strategy into seven crucial elements. This book is key for anyone aiming to secure a lasting competitive advantage.
Good Strategy/Bad Strategy Complements "7 Powers" by cutting through the usual strategic fluff. It shows how to develop strategies that are both focused and potent enough to tackle real-world challenges.
Scaling People I've been a fan of Stripe and @chughesjohnson for years so her book was a treat. Beyond the beautiful cover, this one offers a hands-on guide to developing scalable management practices essential for nurturing and growing a company's most vital asset: its people.
The Phoenix Project Like 'The Goal,' this book uses a fictional narrative to illustrate the challenges of a team implementing new technology and processes. While it may seem IT-centric, in today’s world where every business is a tech business, this book offers universal solutions for getting people on board with change and rolling that change out across teams.
Wanna check these out? I put them all in an Amazon list for you with a few added bonus recommendations. link.withswitchboard.com/ops-books