New Book – “Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd”
Posted by Joe CannonWe have always enjoyed how Harvard Business School professor Youngme Moon things. We have read her articles in the Harvard Business Review and used some of her business cases in our classes. I am looking forward to reading her new book, Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd, which is getting great reviews at Amazon.com and over at Bloomberg BusinessWeek “To Hell with the Herd,” (August 12, 2010). We think breakthrough products come from thinking different and look forward to reading some of Professor Moon’s thoughts on this subject.
KFC has found itself between a rock and a hard place. Following general trends toward healthier fare, the company has developed and more aggressively promoted some of its healthier fare (read grilled instead of fried chicken). On the other hand, many franchisees are upset with the new emphasis and feel the strategy confuses customers. They don’t want KFC to turn its back on its fried heritage. Interesting marketing strategy questions to raise in class — see “