Singular versus holistic

I’m still surprised when I stumble across an organization that formulates their entire organizational strategy around one idea. Businesses that have a singular rather than a holistic strategy, identifying for example “Growth” or “Acquisition” as their sole strategic objective, are either not taking the process seriously or they don’t understand the purpose of a well positioned strategy.

Now the process to identify strategic objectives is too complex to explain here, however what I can articulate is that there are four fundamental areas you should be considering when formulating a strategy, namely:

1. Profitability

2. Productivity

3. Innovation

4. Competition

Now this doesn’t mean you should use these as your objectives, but while you are formulating your strategic objectives you should be considering each of these areas at a macro level, diving down to a micro level to determine the validity, impact and priorities that surface.

“Growth” is not a strategy, it’s a goal that is satisfied by a well formulated and articulate strategy.

© Shawn Casemore 2013. All rights reserved.