Focus

the analysis of unstructured information is hard, time-consuming work 

Crown, Cork and Seal, a maker of metal containers is one of the oldest case studies in the strategy collection.  Crown's strategy had been crafted in the early 1960's by John F. Connalley.  The company achieved a phenomenal record providing an average return to shareholders of 19 percent per year.

What was Crown's secret?  The case repeats the conventional wisdom that Crown specialized in container for hard-to-hold products such as aerosols and carbonated soft drinks.  While true, of course, this description is neither complete nor terribly useful in understanding how Crown competed.  Nevertheless most analysts stop there.  They will not have noticed that the details of Crown's policies point in other directions as well.  In general people will not push further because the analysis of unstructured information is hard, time-consuming work that requires both rich knowledge of facts and well-developed skills in logic, deduction, and induction.

ACTION POINT:  Gather facts and hone your skills in logic, deduction and induction to prepare to study strategy.