strategy vs. tactics

Good strategy is not without its challenge.

FOUR MYTHS OF STRATEGY

Myth No. 1: Content Is King Content Is King Myth No. 2:

Consensus Equals SuccessConsensus Equals SuccessMyth No. 3: Exclusion Is EfficientExclusion Is Efficient

Myth No. 4: Communication Creates CommitmentCommunication Creates Commitment

Habit #1Have clear goals

Habit #2Be a constant learner, change and evolve as required.

Habit #3Sense of urgency wins.

Habit #4Set a pace that you can maintain forever.

Habit #5I like to have a number of success mantras; Habit #6Be Fit.

Habit #7Study time management

Habit #8Nurture a network.

Habit #9Fail often, fail fast, fail cheap.

THE END…

THANK

YOU!!!

Most executives believe that if you get the content of your strategy right, the success of that strategy is a foregone conclusion. They assume that the substance of the strategy must be composed of realistic objectives and the most accurate and valid information.In their quest to create a strategy that can credibly stand up to the scrutiny of these criteria — and senior management approval — companies often employ outside experts, such as consulting and marketing firms, to analyze, research and benchmark their industry, competitors and markets. In addition, they use tools such as a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to help create objectives that address both the past performance and current circumstances of the company. Sounds reasonable. And therein lies the problem.

In the eyes of many leaders, the ultimate level of buy-in for a strategic plan is simply consensus. The belief behind this myth is that if everyone feels pretty good about the plan and has no strong objections, it’s about the best that can be hoped for.

The typical strategic planning process is an exclusive affair. Executives often believe that the fewer people involved in the process, the easier it will be. As such, they often limit participation to a small group of business unit heads or the strategy development group.

Town halls, road shows, all-hands meetings and webinars are all popular vehicles for spreading the word and gaining buy-in once the strategic plan has been crafted. Most senior executives will tout these communication efforts as a critical step in helping the organization understand what the strategy means and what role each person plays in bringing it to fruition.But while these types of events can generate a significant amount of energy and excitement, they also contain serious pitfalls that can lead to cynicism rather than commitment.One of these pitfalls is the mistaken belief that employees are empty vessels, just waiting for the word from above about where the company is headed and what they should be doing to help it get there.Far from being empty, people are already full. They’re full of frustrations and disappointments about what executives have said they were going to do in the past and what they actually did. They’re full from promises made and not kept and from accepting requests to get involved in a company strategy and then being ignored when times got tough.

Habit #1Have clear goals

The clearer you know where you want to go and what your goals are, the more likely you are to get there. Have a vision. Everything happens first in the mind.

Habit #2Be a constant learner, change and evolve as required.

This means attending seminars, reading, and listening to audio books. By making learning a habit, this could be one of your competitive advantages.

Do it now; have a propensity for action; make decisions

quickly. I have found in business that the successful people are

those who have a huge sense of urgency. They always want to get it done sooner and now cultivates

the habit of doing it now.

you need to figure out what gives you strength and energy.

Habit #5Success Mantras;

Get your head in the game

Narrow your objectives.

Steady your reactions.

Know and stick to your moral compass.

Habit #6Be Fit.

fitness gives energy and energy is what allows

us to get things done.

Habit #7Study time management. OK - a plug for my ebook, book and cd.

We all have the same amount of time; it is a matter of how we use it and how much we get done.

Habit #8Nurture a network. Reviewing the address book, keeping in touch with people and trying to add value to them. The more we nurture this company, the more we can get things done.

Habit #9Fail often, fail fast, fail cheap.

In order to move forward, sometimes we have to fail. Don't let failure stand in the way of trying to move forward. You are not a failure if you fail; you are a failure if you don’t try.

Think about and decide what your success habits will be. Today is the first

day of the rest of your life.