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Strategy is not X

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Re: Strategy is not X

#21

Post by hliyan »

dalbasal wrote: post #16
hliyan wrote: post #15

To me, strategy is a plan of action within a system that dynamically resists your attempts at progress, usually due to the presence of other agents similar to yourself. Chess is a good microcosmic example.

So "strategy" doesn't apply to tasks like going to the moon, curing cancer or getting into shape?

If going to the moon involves incorporating the reactions of competitors into your plans, then yes. Otherwise I believe the word "method", "plan" or "technique" would suffice. For example, I have always been mystified by the the term "branching strategy" (in the context of source code version control systems). It is just a method, but the word, alas, now feels too pedestrian for most. One at least needs to go with methodology.

Re: Strategy is not X

#22

Post by lordnacho »

Someone else mentioned Mintzberg, well worth a read. It will shatter many folk theories of what strategy is.

Having said that I'll give a vague answer.

Strategy is consciously deciding on one policy while sacrificing another. If we play a high line, we can't low block around the penalty area. If we press like mad, we can't conserve our energy. If we play the tall guy up front we are committing to crossing the ball, not passing it on the ground.

So basically it's a question of what we're doing and what we are choosing not to do, aka tradeoffs.

The reason things get vague is that we often get mixed up about what is the goal and what is the policy to get there.

Re: Strategy is not X

#23

Post by yakshaving_jgt »

toolslive wrote: post #18

He missed one: Strategy is not tactics. For example I see sports pundits do confuse strategy with tactics all the time. I guess you need to be a chess/go player to really understand these concepts.

> I guess you need to be a chess/go player to really understand these concepts.

How did you reach this conclusion?

Re: Strategy is not X

#24

Post by yobbo »

toolslive wrote: post #18

He missed one: Strategy is not tactics. For example I see sports pundits do confuse strategy with tactics all the time. I guess you need to be a chess/go player to really understand these concepts.

Differentiating between tactics and strategy illustrates different levels and priorities in the overall game plan. It might still be valid to use these words interchangeably at some level.

For example; how to set up an ambush is a tactical question, but when and why might be strategic questions. Tact is near synonymous with "how to act".

Re: Strategy is not X

#25

Post by pabe »

Business modeling is about the system that makes your company work.

Strategy is about how your business model / system is going to compete with other players on the market.

In Europe, you're getting a QR code for COVID vaccination. You have to show that QR code at certain locations to be allowed to enter. Usually, you get that QR code printed on an A4-page.

You decide to print that QR code on little plastic cards. You partner with pharmacies (sales channel) and a printing company (production). That's part of a business model.

Now you're realizing that your business model can be copied easily. You realize you've got a first mover advantage and that you've got to aquire pharmacies as fast as possible to defend against competitors. That's a strategy.

If you decide to deliver the first 50 cards per pharmacy for free (trial), that might be a tactic.

Re: Strategy is not X

#26

Post by Msurrow »

ksec wrote: post #13
ttymck wrote: post #4

I think about this topic a lot. I think I am fairly good at tactics: devising the "checklist" and executing on it. I don't know if I am any good at strategy. I haven't tried, and I wouldn't know where the line between tactics and strategy lies. It doesn't sound like the book being reviewed answers my question. Are there such books? Is it just a matter of "doing" strategy, to know what it is and how to do it well (tri…

>between tactics and strategy lies My two cents. In business ( And straightly in the sense of business, because the context changes if you apply to War ). I would consider tactics as something that sit between Strategy and Execution. Strategy as direction, or vision and goal. Whether you should enter a specific market, or pursue certain market opportunities. Tactics as steps and moves to achieve that goal. Execution…

I’m asking this only because I’m curious to know what your answer would be, so even if my question persents some pushback to what you wrote, please know it is only my interest go “dig a bit deeper”.

The way you define strategy here “ Strategy as direction, or vision and goal.” is exactly what the linked article (and the book) says strategy is not. I.e. “Strategy is not your goals” and “Strategy is not a vision statement”.

So, assuming you know what you are talking about, thats an interesting juxtaposition. What are your thoughts on the article/book saying vision and goals are not Strategy? (Eg. why do you think it is?)

Re: Strategy is not X

#27

Post by m12k »

ajb wrote: post #10

Interesting that he's not sure what a strategy consists of after reading the book. I read the same book and it does give a definition, with three essential parts, but frustratingly doesn't then link the examples back to show how they illustrate the definition. Rumelt says good strategy consists of: "1. A diagnosis that defines or explains the nature of the challenge. A good diagnosis simplifies the often overwhelming…

Thanks for referencing that. Maybe it's semantics, but as someone coming at this from a game design perspective, 1 and 2 are clearly strategic, but I'd have said 3 is tactical rather than strategic. Tactics are the mid-level actions/subgoals that are used to implement a strategy. You can have a strategy without tactics - though usually you will need them in order for the strategy to succeed.

Re: Strategy is not X

#29

Post by [deleted] »

yakshaving_jgt wrote: post #23
toolslive wrote: post #18

He missed one: Strategy is not tactics. For example I see sports pundits do confuse strategy with tactics all the time. I guess you need to be a chess/go player to really understand these concepts.

> I guess you need to be a chess/go player to really understand these concepts. How did you reach this conclusion?

[deleted]

Re: Strategy is not X

#30

Post by etempleton »

It always shocks me how many leaders struggle with what a strategy is in the business world. Typically, as the author mentions, they either present a goal, “XXX sales in Q1,” as a strategy or a checklist of tactics or actions. A strategy can be as little as a sentences or an entire plan, but it should be formalized. It is the “why” question. It answers the question of why you have people doing the things they are doing and keeps everyone on the same pages

A simplified example might be:

// Goal

xxx sales in Q1

// Strategy

Sell product at below competitor cost to capture market share and increase profit through efficiency of scale.

// Tactics

- decrease product price 10%

- promote price difference in advertising

- implement cost saving measures in customer support

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