The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix: Using 2 x 2 Thinking to Solve Business Problems and Make Better Decisions

by Alex Lowy, Phil Hood

By studying the work of hundreds of the most original and effective business minds, the authors present a common architecture that illuminates exceptional analysis and creative performance. 2 x 2 Thinking is characterized by a fundamental appreciation for the dynamic and complex nature of business. The best strategists go out of their way to tackle dilemmas rather than merely solve problems. They use opposition, creative tension, iteration and transcendence to get to the heart of issues and involve critical others in finding the best solutions. The authors demonstrate how to apply the 2 x 2 approach to a wide range of important business challenges.

Genres: Business

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2004

Reviews

[Bibhu Ashish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part about reading this book is it will give you a framework to think in a more structured way. The content may look easy but the hard work, perspectives and rich experiences that has gone to create this book is really heartening.The authors have condensed some of the best books in business literature to create an ideal book for reference on how to think about and create models. After you browse through so many models and matrices, every problem would look to you as an inherent conflict of two parameters, one on x axis and one on Y axis. Critiques may think that this is a very simplistic way of finding solutions to the problems, but isn't that what we always crave for.
The chapters are well laid out, starting with a case for why we should go for this kind of approach and then mentioning almost all the frameworks which have been created with this kind of matrix to solve some of the bizarre and complex problems.
I go with more enlightenment and more analytic food for my brain after reading this book. May be I can use the ideas and concepts which have been described in this book to enhance my problem solving skills.
Go out and try mapping all your problems to a 2 X 2 matrix for there is no problem which you can not map to this and get a clarity on how you need to proceed.