Obliquity

This is an original, widely-applicable concept from one of the world's foremost economists. Tim Harford says it is 'persuasive, rigorous, creative and wise. Brilliant'. If you want to go in one direction, the best route may involve going in another. This is the concept of 'obliquity': paradoxical as it sounds, many goals are more likely to be achieved when pursued indirectly. The richest men and women are not the most materialistic; the happiest people are not necessarily those who focus on happiness and the most profitable companies are not always the most profit-oriented as the recent financial crisis showed us. Whether overcoming geographical obstacles, winning decisive battles or meeting sales targets, history shows that oblique approaches are the most successful, especially in difficult terrain. John Kay applies his provocative, universal theory to everything from international business to town planning and from football to managing forest fires.

ISBN 1846682894   DEWEY edition DC22 ISBN13 9781846682896 (What's this?)   Pages 224 Publisher Profile Books Ltd   Published in London Imprint Profile Books Ltd   Previous ISBN 9781846682889 Format Paperback   Height (mm) 198 Publication date 03 Feb 2011   Width (mm) 129 DEWEY 650.1   Academic level General

"'John Kay is an admirable debunker of myths and false beliefs - he can see substantial things others don't. Read this book.' - Nassim N Taleb, author of The Black Swan 'Economics with style as well as substance' - Stephen Bayley, Observer architecture and design correspondent 'Obliquity is a characteristic John Kay production. It is a pleasure to read' - Howard Davies, Financial Times 'How rare is it for an academic economist to write with such clarity, intelligence and courage. And, in these troubled, confusing times, how desperately we need other dismal scientists to follow John Kay's shining example.' - Liam Halligan, Spectator Business"

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Version	Price	Published	Edition
Hardback	£10.99	2010
Electronic Book	£7.49