No Ordinary Disruption Book Summary - No Ordinary Disruption Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

No Ordinary Disruption summary

Richard Dobbs James Manyika Jonathan Woetzel

The Four Global Forces Breaking All the Trends

3.9 (28 ratings)
19 mins

Brief summary

No Ordinary Disruption by Richard Dobbs, James Manyika and Jonathan Woetzel explores the impact of megatrends like urbanization, technological innovation and globalization on the global economy and society, and offers insights on how individuals and organizations can adapt to these disruptions.

Table of Contents

    No Ordinary Disruption
    Summary of 8 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 8

    A series of globally disruptive forces are fundamentally changing the economic landscape.

    The quarter-century before the crash of 2008 was a time of unparalleled economic development. Interest rates were low; natural resources cheap; jobs plentiful and workers adequately employed.

    But that phase is now over. Today, we’re entering a new phase, marked by four globally disruptive trends.

    These trends are: a shifting focal point of economic activity and dynamism; an acceleration in technology’s scope, scale and economic impact; an aging global population; and a greater degree of connection through trade, capital information and people.

    While these trends certainly present major challenges, they’ve also been the driving force behind pulling some one billion people worldwide out of poverty since 1990.

    In short, increased connectivity and advances in technology have spurred economic growth. The shifting locus of economic activity as a result has meant more development in ever more remote regions, further ameliorating the burden of poverty in these areas.

    This new world is thus going to be wealthier and more urban, with higher skill levels and better health than previous generations.

    These four global trends interact in complicated ways, however, which makes predicting future conditions increasingly difficult. Not just that, but such forecasts are often based on past experiences and outmoded ways of thinking.

    To succeed in this new world, we need to reformulate our prior notions about how the economy works.

    For instance, supply and demand traditionally says that when demand for financing is high, capital becomes more expensive; and then, demand will abate. But now the opposite is true. Emerging markets the world over are rapidly building capital-intensive infrastructure and spurring demand, even though the cost of financing continues to rise.

    But this is just one example of how old ways of thinking aren’t keeping up with changing conditions. Let’s take a closer look at today’s four disruptive forces.

    Want to see all full key ideas from No Ordinary Disruption?

    Key ideas in No Ordinary Disruption

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is No Ordinary Disruption about?

    No Ordinary Disruption (2015) details four forces that are changing the world’s markets in profound ways. These blinks show you how the business world, the jobs that support it and the market that shapes it are transforming and what companies, governments and individuals need to do to not only survive but succeed in this new world order.

    No Ordinary Disruption Review

    No Ordinary Disruption (2015) presents a thought-provoking analysis of the global forces reshaping our world and offers valuable insights for navigating the future. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • Packed with well-researched data and expert assessments, it provides a comprehensive overview of the major disruptions impacting our economies, societies, and businesses.
    • By exploring the significance of emerging markets, technology advancements, and shifting demographics, the book reveals new opportunities and challenges that will shape the future landscape.
    • Its balanced and objective approach avoids hyperbole and focuses on practical implications, making it a trustworthy resource for understanding and adapting to the changing world.

    Best quote from No Ordinary Disruption

    Leaders will have to resist the temptation to focus on the hazards of the period ahead instead of the opportunities it presents.

    —Richard Dobbs, James Manyika and Jonathan Woetzel
    example alt text

    Who should read No Ordinary Disruption?

    • CEOs, marketing executives and students of business
    • Anyone interested in economic development and global finance

    About the Author

    Richard Dobbs researches global economic patterns at McKinsey. He has taught at the University of Oxford and at several other universities; No Ordinary Disruption is his second bestselling book.

    The director of the McKinsey Global Institute, James Manyika has advised a number of leading technology companies in Silicon Valley. He is also the vice chairman of the President’s Global Development Council, appointed by US President Barack Obama.

    Jonathan Woetzel cofounded McKinsey’s operations in China, where he lives. He is a lecturer at the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University, and has written four books on China.

    Categories with No Ordinary Disruption

    Book summaries like No Ordinary Disruption

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    33 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    No Ordinary Disruption FAQs 

    What is the main message of No Ordinary Disruption?

    The main message of No Ordinary Disruption is the impact of disruptive technologies on the world economy and society.

    How long does it take to read No Ordinary Disruption?

    The reading time for No Ordinary Disruption varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is No Ordinary Disruption a good book? Is it worth reading?

    No Ordinary Disruption is a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the current and future impact of disruptive technologies. It offers insights and analysis that are worth exploring.

    Who is the author of No Ordinary Disruption?

    The authors of No Ordinary Disruption are Richard Dobbs, James Manyika, and Jonathan Woetzel.

    What to read after No Ordinary Disruption?

    If you're wondering what to read next after No Ordinary Disruption, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Hacking Growth by Sean Ellis & Morgan Brown
    • Business Execution for Results by Stephen Lynch
    • Growth IQ by Tiffani Bova
    • Great by Choice by Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen
    • Good Strategy, Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt
    • Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur
    • Southern Theory by Raewyn Connell
    • What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
    • Job Therapy by Tessa West
    • The Shortest History of Economics by Andrew Leigh