LAST STRATEGY BITES OF 2023.
Hello Folks,
Hope you're in great spirits! Christmas is coming and I'm sure you're in the HO HO HO mood already! Here's wishing you and your family a great and lovely time together. Here's hoping that the New Year brings all the joy and success you deserve in your life.?
Before you take off for Christmas, I'd love to arm you with top tips?from the best military strategist of all time, Sun Tzu?and would also like to bring to attention 3 key trends for 2024. A lot in the new?year is about embracing?who you truly are and valuing diversity to become a genuinely good strategist.?
Apart from this, I have some good news to share towards the end of your read.
Let's take a quick strategy dose before 2023 ends. ??
MINI STRATEGY BITES 1 - STRATEGIST TIPS FROM SUN TZU
"The Art of War," a timeless classic written by the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, provides profound insights into the principles of strategy, warfare, and leadership. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, Sun Tzu's timeless teachings continue to offer valuable guidance in the art and science of strategy. Here are some key learnings from this influential work. ??
Know Yourself and Your Enemy: Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding the adversary. Victory comes from knowing both strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of the opponent.
Adaptability and Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is crucial. Sun Tzu advises that successful leaders are those who can adjust their strategies according to the evolving dynamics of a situation.
Avoiding Conflict When Possible: Sun Tzu advocates for seeking solutions that avoid direct confrontation whenever possible. The ultimate victory is achieved without engaging in unnecessary battles.
The Importance of Timing: Timing is critical in strategy. Sun Tzu stresses the significance of seizing the right opportunities and acting at the most advantageous moments.
Leadership and Morale: Effective leadership is about inspiring and maintaining the morale of one's own forces. Sun Tzu highlights the importance of leading by example and fostering a cohesive and motivated team.
Economic Use of Resources: Sun Tzu advises leaders to use resources wisely and efficiently. Wastefulness can lead to unnecessary setbacks, so a strategic leader carefully manages and conserves resources.
Feel free to steal my time here for a 15 minutes chat ? : https://lnkd.in/gPNEKyR8#thesmilingstrategist #freelancestrategy #freelancestrategist #brandstrategist #creativestrategist #strategytips #marketingtips
MINI STRATEGY BITE 2 - KEY TRENDS FOR 2024.
Photo Credits: Everybody & Everymind by Lucy & Yak is a collection celebrating neurodivergent experiences, UK
Some thought provoking quotes for brands to reflect upon. ?? Consumers around the world have started, in significant number, to question traditionally Eurocentric, heteronormative and youth-focused views of history and culture in 2024.
CONSUMERS CAN SMELL PRETENCE
领英推荐
"Navigating culture wars should be easy for businesses invested in making inclusivity their core value. Consumers have their eyes on which ones are committed to empowering marginalised communities,?from communications to recruitment and R&D,?and those pretending. Brands planning to remain neutral in 2024, especially in the US, have picked a side?already." - Dan Hastings-Narayanin, deputy foresight editor, The Future Laboratory
IT’S TIME TO RECLAIM YOUR IDENTITY
“We’ve lost a lot of control over our land, we’ve lost a lot of control over the education that our children get; our own data and our own stories are kind of our last control over ourselves. If we lose that, if we lose sovereignty over that, it doesn’t bode well for the uniqueness that is Māori.” - Te Taka Keegan, Waikato University associate professor of computer science, in The New Zealand Herald These shifts are empowering Black, Indigenous and other people of colour to reclaim their identities and rewrite their stories. They are also encouraging people from myriad underserved demographics to unashamedly be their true, individual selves – requiring brands to ditch consumer typologies that treat groups as monoliths.
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT GEN Z AND MILLENNIALS
"A youth-obsessed culture is just boring. Casting people of all ages has always felt natural to me, as we design for people at all stages and moments of their?lives." - Rachel Comey, US fashion designer Rather than thinking about growing old in terms of losing youth, it should be reframed around finding new ways to evolve and thrive. Rather than thinking about ageing, the focus should be on the new self you are becoming. Brands must embrace this with products, services and marketing communications that are empowering, celebratory and energising, rather than derivative and patronising.
Source: John O'Sullivan and Jessica Smith
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#thesmilingstrategist #ministrategybites #miniculturebites #diversityandinclusion #brandstrategytips #marketingtips #strategytips #brandstrategist #creativestrategist #freelancestrategy #freelancestrategist #futuretrends #trends2024 #trendspotting #trends #insights #babyboomers #brandconsultant #strategyconsultant #brandgrowth #creativestrategy #trendingnews
MINI SHOUTOUT -
#TheSmilingStrategist now ranks top on Google organic search for #freelancestrategist. I've faced immense challenges moving across countries - personal, health, racism - you name it. Yet I've stuck to my passion for #brandstrategy and #creativestrategy and brought honest and disruptive value to my agencies and clients. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who believed in me and supported me throughout my journey from Singapore - Mumbai - Sydney. Your support means the world to me and I hope to continue putting in the hard yards! #thankyou
Here's the link to steal my time for a cuppa ? https://lnkd.in/gPNEKyR8#thesmilingstrategist
That's all for now. ??
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ????
Until the New Year!
Your Smiling Strategist,
Roma | +61403880286