Fast strategy

The term strategy is often used in different ways. Many understand it to mean an idea, a concept from which coherent activities are derived to meet a challenge or seize an opportunity.

This requires a realistic idea of what the organization can do, where it will play, and how it will play in the future. It is not uncommon for activities to be undertaken with the goal of increasing impact. You need an agreed-upon approach that is easy to communicate and understand.

In many industries, planning horizons are shortened. Digitalization and new realities in the world have challenged long-held ideas and assumptions.

But how can you derive a good strategy in the first place? The days of months of analysis and scenario planning are over. Assumptions and premises may have changed in the meantime.

So no more strategy then?

That's like a captain who doesn't know in which direction he wants to steer. No wonder when you arrive in nowhere like that and run out of fuel.

I think you can do that for a short time. But you should be on the lookout to see if things come up that lead to you building a solid foundation for the long term. To do that, though, you need a certain strategic mindset.

An alternative is to quickly develop a strategy.

The information you need to do this is certainly available within the company.

• Have your employees ask questions up front. Questions they would ask if you had to design a strategy.

• Then, in a small group, discuss what is feasible, what the challenges and opportunities are.

• Ultimately, the goal is to filter them and reduce them to one main theme. For this theme, the assumptions and activities are formulated.

The entire process takes three days and provides you with a strategy that you will implement over the next 18-24 months.

In the meantime, if you discover new developments that invalidate your assumptions, start the process over again, adjusted to the current situation.

PS: A moderator can help you with this.