Why do similar firms succeed in one country but fail in another, irrespective of their strategic choices?
Competition and macroeconomics expert, Prof. Arturo Bris, believes that a country’s economic success and national competitiveness is not unlike a cycling race. If you want to ride fast, you need three things: a good bike, to be in good shape, and a smooth and fast road. You might say the business is the bicycle, the business leader is the cyclist, and the road is the government and the external environment. The responsibility of a government is to design and build the best possible road. And it turns out that when the road is good, good cyclists suddenly appear and want to race on it.
In his new book, The Right Place, Arturo Bris provides an analysis of countries’ competitive performance based on 30 years advising governments and institutions around the world on this topic. The typical mistakes that countries make are highlighted, while the pillars necessary to build a truly competitive economy are revealed to provide a roadmap for government organisations to follow.
Bris suggests potential initiatives that governments can implement to help the private sector create jobs, support small businesses, nurture innovation, attract talent, and other steps to help make their countries more prosperous. He draws on fascinating real-life case studies, from the rebranding of Thailand and Israel’s move to become a start-up hub, to Norway’s gender equality efforts and Bhutan measuring itself on Gross National Happiness. The book provides an illuminating read for politicians, government institutions, and students of macroeconomics, while giving invaluable insights for business leaders to give themselves the best possible chance of success in their macroeconomic environment.
Advance praise
Enormously ambitious, wide-ranging and filled with insights. A marvellous and impressive book that makes you re-think how and why businesses thrive (and fail). Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History at Oxford University, author of The Silk Roads
There is no silver bullet for competitiveness. Many books promise quick fixes, but the wisdom in this new book by Arturo Bris is taking an ecosystem approach. This is the holistic roadmap emerging markets need to catch the next waves of productivity and globalization. Dr. Parag Khanna, managing partner of FutureMap and author of Connectography
This book by Arturo Bris, brings together the insights of the IMD World Competitiveness Centre over thirty years, as well as his personal travel and research in the last six years in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America, to understand why corporations achieve success and perform the way they do. Bris covers a broad terrain, highlighting not just corporate strategies but larger societal inputs such as education and government strategies which are crucial to competitiveness. A useful comparative blueprint for corporations and countries who wish to achieve the same success as the best in the world. Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador-at Large and Chair of the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design
Arturo Bris is the superstar of country competitiveness. Over the years we have enjoyed his annual reports and rankings on the competetiveness of nations around the globe. In this seminal book he shows us why it matters for business. A warm recommendation to anyone interested in decision-making beyond the state and survival strategies of companies. Alexander Stubb, Professor and Director at the European University Institute, Former Prime Minister of Finland
