Why do similar firms succeed in one country but fail in another, irrespective of their strategic choices?
Competition and macroeconomics expert, Prof. Arturo Bris, believes that a country’s economic success and national competitiveness is not unlike a cycling race. If you want to ride fast, you need three things: a good bike, to be in good shape, and a smooth and fast road. You might say the business is the bicycle, the business leader is the cyclist, and the road is the government and the external environment. The responsibility of a government is to design and build the best possible road. And it turns out that when the road is good, good cyclists suddenly appear and want to race on it.
In his new book, The Right Place, Arturo Bris provides an analysis of countries’ competitive performance based on 30 years advising governments and institutions around the world on this topic. The typical mistakes that countries make are highlighted, while the pillars necessary to build a truly competitive economy are revealed to provide a roadmap for government organisations to follow.
Bris suggests potential initiatives that governments can implement to help the private sector create jobs, support small businesses, nurture innovation, attract talent, and other steps to help make their countries more prosperous. He draws on fascinating real-life case studies, from the rebranding of Thailand and Israel’s move to become a start-up hub, to Norway’s gender equality efforts and Bhutan measuring itself on Gross National Happiness. The book provides an illuminating read for politicians, government institutions, and students of macroeconomics, while giving invaluable insights for business leaders to give themselves the best possible chance of success in their macroeconomic environment.
