If culture eats your product strategy for breakfast – why do you design a strategy?

Leverage the culture with a behavior-based product strategy

In the growing product management community, we often discuss the importance of a strong product strategy and different strategic models. But what if you work in an organization where "culture comes first" and eats Strategy for breakfast? This is especially true when you manage an existing product. In this scenario, it's crucial to make your strategy harmonize with your cultural values. Here are five key considerations for designing a strategy that leverages your culture:

1. Forget about the schoolbook – challenge the Strategy Concept

Gone are the days when the strategy was confined to a document or template-driven content. It can be anything. We have explored multiple ways to challenge traditional strategies and replace them with STRATEGIC THINKING. A strategy can be a vivid image depicting your customer, a problem you want to solve, or an iterative learning process. Dare to be bold and pinpoint the strategic assets that will be the linchpin of your success. Break free from old traditions and identify the key elements that will drive your success. We often call them STRATEGiC ASSETS.

2. Design for usage

Visualize your strategy as a tool to be used - not a presentation to be shared. Imagine the strategy to be a product, carefully crafted for maximum impact. Who will use it? When will it be applied? Make sure the strategy is part of all aspects of product planning, from generating requirements and problems to solve as well as being part of the prioritization mechanisms. In one company, we used five eye-catching posters placed strategically in the offices and online spaces (like TEAMS backgrounds). Each poster carried two essential questions, guiding every team member in applying the strategic essence in their daily tasks. In another case, we created a prioritization mechanism that was using the strategic assets. When you start developing the product strategy ask yourself: WHEN DO WE NEED THE PRODUCT STRATEGY?

3. Start with the culture

Understanding the cultural landscape is not as easy as it sounds. Just as product management is shaped by its context, so too is your product strategy. Tailor your strategy to harness the existing cultural dynamics, guiding behaviors towards success. Be deliberate in selecting the strategic model that best aligns with your organization's unique ethos. Recognize that it's not just about crafting a strategy; it's about crafting one that resonates deeply with the culture it's meant to thrive in. This alignment will be the bedrock of your strategic success.

4. A Solid Starting Point

The beginning of your strategy holds great potential. If your culture puts customers first, start by defining your customer. In financially-driven environments, begin by examining revenue streams that hold promise, and how to minimize cost. In a risk avert culture start with risks to?mitigate. Remember, the starting point isn't just a step; it's actually the core of your strategy. When working with one of the largest robotics companies in the world, the starting point was chosen very carefully. The Strategies were executed, and the success was extraordinary.

5. Emphasizing Behavior: Simple yet Powerful

Instead of lengthy presentations, focus on behaviors. For example, a company in my home area SK?NE (South Sweden) rallied around the principle "We respond when the customer calls!" This seemingly simple strategy was based on a smart analysis of their Ideal Customer Profile's dissatisfaction with existing support options. Supported by a configuration tool, training, and a unique product design, this behavior-driven strategy propelled the company's growth from 1 MEUR to a staggering 20 MEUR in just three years!

Embrace product principles that free up your strategy, bringing about tangible shifts in behavior, acting as a catalyst for transformative growth. And it will make your product strategy more accessible.

In summary, when culture is at the heart of your organization, your strategy should align with and leverage it. Use the culture to succeed! By redefining what strategy means, treating it as a product, adjusting it to your unique context, choosing a starting point carefully, and focusing on behavior-driven content, you're not just crafting a strategy but fostering a cultural shift that will lead to unparalleled parallel success. Remember, in this setting, "culture eats strategy for breakfast," but a strategy rooted in culture emerges as the cornerstone of success.

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This article stems from my rich experience collaborating with some of the world's most successful enterprises. Together, we've propelled product initiatives that generated an impressive 3 Billion EUR in sales across 100+ projects. These endeavors spanned from startups to industry giants, primarily centered around midsized, tech-intensive firms with diverse platforms and substantial workforces. With gratitude, I thank all the technology strategists, product managers, and researchers, that have let me be a part of their success.