Differentiated: The Breakthrough Approach to Strategy for Organizations Driven by Purpose

by Karla Raines

Overview

Differentiated presents a new way forward for companies and nonprofits seeking purpose-powered strategic differentiation following the pandemic's reset.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781736477014
Publisher:	Corona Research, Inc.
Publication date:	03/20/2021
Pages:	132
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.34(d)

About the Author

Karla Raines is an accomplished strategist serving purpose-driven organizations in dynamically competitive industries. Her commitment to mastering the art of strategy led her to a career-defining eureka moment in 2018. Differentiated shares the story of her inventive strategy process, Differentiation Zone®, through real-life vignettes and powerful lessons pulled from over two decades of consulting experience. Karla co-owns an international research and strategy firm, Corona Insights, where she's led countless empathy-based and data-driven strategy processes. She recognizes that creativity and imagination are crucial to the strategy process, and wouldn't have discovered Differentiation Zone without both. Her "aha" moment in 2018 occurred when she saw something she'd never seen before. The experience crystallized her intuitive process and inspired her to reverse engineer what she'd taught herself to do over years of hands-on practice.

With a unique ability to see beyond what is, Karla leads her clients to discover authentic differentiation and craft plans to realize a competitive advantage. Abstract painting propels Karla's professional creativity and risk-taking as it fuels her soul; see https://karlarainesart.com. Artists look at the world differently, and creativity opens a new portal. Years of painting have taught Karla to get out of her own way, not to tell herself no, and be open to the power of flow. She wouldn't have discovered Differentiation Zone without it. Visit the Differentiation Zone website at https://differentiationzone.com.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Section 1: Embrace Your Customer's Mindset

1. Principle One: It's All About the Customer

2. Principle Two: Not Every Stakeholder Is a Customer

3. Principle Three: Competition Is Prevalent

4. Principle Four: Your Environment Creates Context, Not Focus

5. Principle Five: You Compete in More Than One Industry

6. Principle Six: Watch Out for the Zone of Indifference

Section 2: The Essence of Your Strategy Is Choice

7. Step One: Understand Your Customers, Competitors, and Context

8. Step Two: Reveal Customer and Competitor Insights

9. Step Three: Discover Differentiation to Drive Strategic Success

10. Step Four: Design Your Differentiation Zone Strategy

11. Your Strategy Declaration

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Differentiated presents the most exciting and compelling strategic approach I've encountered in years. One of the book's greatest strengths is the unique right-brain and left-brain approach that springs from the author's work as a strategist and an artist. Reading this book brings joy and hope. Karla shows you how to have an artist's eye and apply a master strategist's tools to succeed at discovering your zone. Rebecca Chopp | Chancellor Emerita, University of Denver

Karla has created a fresh strategic framework that today's organizations absolutely need. Witnessing this framework in action is a magical experience, and nothing comes close to aligning stakeholders quicker. It's an essential tool that leads to meaningful conversations and positive strategic outcomes. I highly recommend it! Naveed Usman | CEO, The Usman Group

Differentiated is inspirational. Take the time right now and read this book. It contains so much original thinking. It challenges you to consider who you are serving and whether you truly understand what matters most to them. Differentiated reminds me a bit of Good to Great. A terrific storyteller, Karla's real-world examples keep you engaged and bring actionable insights to life. James Holmes | Executive Director, Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation

This is a powerful call to action. Karla has created a process that honors who we are and positions us to stand out from the competition. Congratulations on what is clearly a new way forward. We're honored to be a part of your discovery. Markus Hunt | Head of School, The Logan School for Creative Learning

From the Publisher