<div><p>How is it that the most carefully laid business strategies can go horribly wrong when put into practice? Robert Rowland Smith's answer, based on years of experience in high-level consultancy, is that "reality eats strategy for breakfast": strategy, based on projections and assuming business is a rational pursuit, can't deal with the messy reality of life.</p><p><B>Robert Rowland Smith</B> advises blue-chip companies, teaches at London's School of Life, and writes, among other things, a regular column in the <I>Sunday Times</I>.</p></div>