Simplify Your Strategy
Many organizations confuse operational plans with strategy. Creating a strategy is an outward-looking, relatively high-level exercise that’s about identifying how to meet your stakeholders’ needs. Once you’ve done that, you can figure out the specific steps you need to take to get there. Here’s how to build a strategy that avoids fragmented efforts and missed opportunities.
Separate strategy from action. Strategy is about positioning your business in the marketplace — it’s not a list of tasks for each function to execute. When you confuse strategy with action, you and your team will lose sight of the overall direction. Keep strategy focused on big-picture positioning instead and let specific decisions and deliverables follow.
Reframe your language. The words you use shape your thinking. Replace terms like “marketing strategy” with “customer strategy” and “HR strategy” with “employee strategy” to focus on your stakeholders. Subtle shifts like this help ensure that your strategy remains aligned with the needs of the people you’re serving, not just internal functions and processes.
Read the article: “Keep Strategy Simple ,” by Graham Kenny
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BBA, DU || Health & Fitness || Travel & Tourism || Reading & Research || FMCG Planning & Analysis Vision: Linking industry practices with academia Good at: Asking the right questions
2 周Now-a-days in corporates, strategy seems to be the most overused word. But every time I see a "strategy" it simply turns out to be an overglorified action plan. Simple rules of thumb: if your "strategy" doesn’t answer "why?" but only "how" then its not strategy folks. Its action plan. Strategy must answer why and what.
50 Under 50 UN Women 2024 | HR Associate Manager | PhD | Women Leadership |Business Partner | Entrepreneur | Consultant | Certified Happiness Coach | Change Agent | Success Catalyst | Expert at Afro Asian Union | Advisor
1 个月To truly shake the world, we must unite our visions and efforts. Start by crafting a clear, shared purpose that resonates with all stakeholders. Foster open communication to ensure every voice is heard, creating a culture of collaboration. Set measurable goals that align with your vision, allowing for accountability and focus. Regularly assess progress and adapt strategies as needed, embracing flexibility. Encourage innovation while remaining grounded in your core mission. Celebrate small wins to maintain momentum and inspire commitment. By weaving together diverse talents and perspectives, we can transform fragmented efforts into a powerful, cohesive force for change. Let’s seize every opportunity!
Sales and Marketing Manager, Aguettant Suisse SA, Geneva, Switzerland
1 个月Clear business strategy is vital. It guides execution, and mixing the two weakens both. A concise strategy ensures everyone aligns with shared goals.
General Counsel, McDonald's Korea
1 个月Agree! A strategy is NOT a plan. This also helped me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuYlGRnC7J8
Marla Harr HR Partner – Management Development, I partner with HR executives to develop middle managers for senior roles using targeted Professional Skills programs, helping build a strong pipeline of future leaders.
1 个月Your definitions of?operational plans and strategy does simplify the understanding of the 2-step process. Thanks!