Seeing Around Corners

How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen

by Rita McGrath

4.4(314 ratings)

12 min read

Brief overview

This book shows you how small signals in your environment can foreshadow massive shifts, known as inflection points, that transform entire industries. It demonstrates how to read these signals early, navigate uncertainty, and harness emerging opportunities to keep your organization ahead of disruptive change.

Introduction

Inflection points are those subtle but decisive turns in the road when an industry, market, or technology takes a sharp shift. With organizations and entire sectors facing upheaval so often, it’s easy to be caught off guard by these sudden changes. Yet, if you learn to spot key warning signs early, you can pivot and seize new opportunities.

In today’s fast-moving world, the old way of doing business—focusing solely on predictable routines—no longer works. Companies that recognize change on the horizon can adjust their strategies in time to stay relevant. Viewing the big picture, exploring frontiers, and giving people in your organization the power to spot shifts are keys to success.

This introduction frames the idea of “seeing around corners.” Rather than solely relying on historical data or intuition, you gain a real competitive edge by blending deep customer awareness with scenario planning. The chapters ahead will show how to anticipate, respond to, and ultimately thrive on emerging trends.

When you learn to recognize subtle signs of looming change, you can shape that change instead of just reacting to it.

Inflection Points: The Hidden Shifts

Inflection points often begin quietly. A once-thriving business model or industry practice starts losing its edge; a new competitor or technology emerges. You may sense that the rules of the game have subtly changed and that traditional strategies no longer work as smoothly as before.

Often, leaders see these shifts coming but fail to translate early warnings into timely action. Maybe a company behaves as if it can ride out any storm, or maybe the urgency of everyday tasks dulls awareness of external signals. Meanwhile, a new wave of disruption slowly gathers momentum, ready to catch the unprepared off guard.

Despite these pitfalls, acknowledging early rumblings of change can turn a daunting threat into a workable path forward. By engaging your entire team to watch for irregularities—like unexpected customer demands, new platforms, or overlooked markets—you can begin to organize around new realities. The secret is to value these imperfections in your operating environment as clues to the future.

An inflection point happens when a 10X shift alters the basic assumptions on which a business is built.

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What is Seeing Around Corners about?

In an ever-changing business landscape, "Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen" by Rita McGrath is a pivotal guide for leaders eager to remain ahead of the curve. This thought-provoking work delves into the phenomena of inflection points—sudden shifts that can redefine entire industries. McGrath expertly illustrates how subtle, often overlooked signals can herald immense changes, equipping readers with the tools to identify and capitalize on these opportunities before they transform into disruptive threats.

In a world characterized by rapid technological advancements and evolving consumer demands, McGrath emphasizes the importance of vigilance and nimbleness. She provides actionable strategies to detect emerging trends, challenge entrenched assumptions, and foster a culture receptive to innovation. With a focus on empowering all levels of an organization, McGrath advocates for a collective vigilance that ensures businesses maintain their competitive advantage. This book is indispensable for anyone keen on navigating uncertainty with confidence and foresight.

"Seeing Around Corners" is more than just a manual for surviving business upheavals. It positions itself as a blueprint for thriving in the face of change, and McGrath's keen insights reveal how inflection points, though daunting, can be prime opportunities for strategic redirection and growth. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring entrepreneur, this book is your compass in the unpredictable world of business innovation.

Review of Seeing Around Corners

Rita McGrath’s "Seeing Around Corners" is a masterclass in recognizing inflection points before they disrupt your business. One of the book's most compelling strengths lies in McGrath’s razor-sharp analysis of how these pivotal changes unfold. Rather than being caught off guard, she teaches readers to proactively spot and exploit these shifts through practical techniques and real-world examples.

McGrath provides an invaluable framework for detecting weak signals on the horizon and translating them into strategic action. Her emphasis on integrating adaptability into organizational culture stands out, offering methodologies to promote innovation at all levels. Her writing style is crisp and engaging, striking a perfect balance between informative detail and accessible prose that makes the concepts approachable for a broad audience.

The book’s universal principles make it relevant for a diverse readership—be it executives driving corporate strategy, middle managers fostering change, or individuals charting their career paths. By expanding the reader's understanding of business dynamics, McGrath effectively empowers her audience to transform uncertainty into strategic gain. For anyone committed to staying ahead of the curve, "Seeing Around Corners" is a resounding must-read.

Who should read Seeing Around Corners?

Business Executives: Seeking strategies to anticipate market changes and inflection points before they impact their industry.
Entrepreneurs: Looking for tools to identify early signs of market shifts to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Corporate Innovators: Eager to integrate proactive change and innovation into their company's culture.
Strategic Planners: Interested in mastering the art of detecting and responding to industry disruptions efficiently.
Career Professionals: Individuals aiming to understand and leverage market shifts to their professional advantage.

About the author

Rita McGrath is a best-selling author, a sought-after advisor and speaker, and a longtime faculty member at Columbia Business School. She is one of the world's top experts on strategy and innovation, consistently ranked among the top 10 management thinkers in the world, including the #1 award for strategy by Thinkers50. With a Ph.D. from the Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) and degrees with honors from Barnard College and the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs, she has authored several influential books, including "The End of Competitive Advantage" and "Discovery Driven Growth." Her work has been praised by leading figures such as Clayton Christensen and has won numerous awards from prestigious management journals.