Smart Rivals

Feng Zhu, MBA Class of 1958 Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, is an expert on competitive strategies, digital transformation, and innovation. He codirects the Platform Lab at the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard.Bonnie Yining Cao is an award-winning former journalist for Bloomberg. She has written extensively about companies in tech and traditional industries in the United States and emerging markets. She is currently pursuing her PhD in business administration at Harvard Business School.

Named one of "82 Books Business Leaders Couldn't Put Down" by BloombergNamed as one of The Wall Street Journal's "Holiday Gift Books: Business"Advance Praise for Smart Rivals:"Smart Rivals is an essential playbook for traditional businesses navigating the digital age, offering concise insights and actionable strategies that will enable them to thrive amidst technological disruption. A must-read for any business leader seeking to stay ahead in today's fast-paced marketplace." — Mo Abudu, founder and CEO, EbonyLife Media; philanthropist; and former human resources management consultant"In Smart Rivals, Feng Zhu and Bonnie Cao masterfully capture what it takes for innovative companies to thrive in a marketplace dominated by tech giants. Their strategic frameworks and real-world examples are a treasure trove for any organization aiming to survive and thrive despite the odds. Whether you're an established player being disrupted or are yourself a startup, Zhu and Cao will provide you with crucial insights into how companies can rally their people, purpose, and strengths to outwit seemingly unstoppable competition." — Hubert Joly, former Chairman and CEO, Best Buy; senior lecturer, Harvard Business School; and author, The Heart of Business"With rigorous research and real-world examples, the authors brilliantly map out the terrain that will allow traditional businesses to thrive in the digital age." — Marco Iansiti, David Sarnoff Professor of Business Administration and codirector, Digital Initiative, Harvard Business School; coauthor, Competing in the Age of AI"Smart Rivals is a fascinating read, revealing how businesses can leverage their unique advantages to thrive in an era of constant technological change. Highlighting the importance of digital transformation, including the rise of AI, as a blessing rather than a curse, Feng Zhu and Bonnie Cao have written a powerful guide for business and government leaders alike." — Makan Delrahim, Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP; former Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division, US Department of Justice"Smart Rivals fast-forwards traditional strategy to today's battle with the tech giants. It's the new playbook for this new competition!" — Kathleen M. Eisenhardt, Stanford W. Ascherman, MD, Professor, Stanford University School of Engineering; coauthor, Simple Rules"A groundbreaking work that reimagines the role of traditional companies in the digital era. This book is a must-read for every manager competing in the digital economy." — D. Daniel Sokol, Carolyn Craig Franklin Chair in Law and Business, USC Gould School of Law; Affiliate Professor of Business, Marshall School of Business