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4 Books to Fuel Strategy in 2025

4 Books to Fuel Strategy in 2025

Wrap up the year with insights and inspiration from these must-read titles.

Peter Graham
December 20, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Hi there,

Every year at Bridge, we have a Secret Santa tradition, where we encourage the team to give each other a book. It’s a great way to encourage knowledge exchange and the choices are always revealing!

In the same spirit, I’m sharing a list of books that have shaped my thinking and might inspire your own strategy.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of customer needs, refine your value proposition, or explore the future of AI, these titles have something for everyone.

1. Value Proposition Design: How to Create Products and Services Customers Want

Why Read It?
This book and the theories underpinning it have been my go-to resource for understanding Jobs-to-be-Done and designing competitive value propositions. Packed with frameworks and tools, it’s more of a “manual” than a book; a must-read for anyone serious about product innovation strategy.

Personal Note
If you’ve been following my recent newsletters, you’ll recognise how much of our thinking stems from Alexander Osterwalder’s frameworks. It’s a powerful resource for aligning your product or service with the true needs of your customer.

2. The Mom Test: How to Talk to Customers & Learn If Your Business is a Good Idea When Everyone is Lying to You

Why Read It?
This book was a game-changer. It transformed how I approach conversations with customers. It’s packed with practical tactics to gather honest feedback. If you’re planning to carry out customer research anytime soon, read this first.

Personal Note
I wish I’d read this sooner. An empowering guide for anyone looking to understand what customers truly need, and to avoid the pitfalls of confirmation bias.

3. Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers

Why Read It?
This classic explains why innovative products and services often fail to transition from early adopters to the mainstream market. Moore provides a roadmap for targeting the right niches and building value propositions for multiple roles within an organisation.

Personal Note
I’ve witnessed first hand, product teams trying to leap to the early majority without first lasering on their early adopters. This book is the antidote to that mistake. And don’t be fooled; it’s not just for tech marketers. Every growth marketer should read this book!

Christmas Bonus 🎁

We’re big fans of Moore’s framework for quickly framing your value proposition for a target market. Steal the super simple formula here.

4. Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit

Why Read It?
The final book is written by one of the most renowned global statesmen of the past century, Henry Kissinger. Co-written with technologists Eric Schmidt and Craig Mundie, it delves into the profound and imminent effects of artificial intelligence on humanity.

Personal Note
This book is high on my own Christmas wish list. I was inspired to pick it up after hearing Eric Schmidt discuss it on a podcast, and the story of Kissinger writing its final chapters from his deathbed only amplifies its significance.

Wishing You a Wonderful Holiday Season 🎄

Thank you for being part of this journey in 2024.

I hope one of these books inspires you as much as they’ve inspired me. Here’s to a restful holiday period and an exciting, opportunity-filled 2025!