Project Management’s Post

Too many opinions and not enough data? Here's how to design your strategy: "Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it's about deliberately choosing to be different." — Michael Porter Strategic thinking is critical in leadership. It’s not just about planning. It’s about smart choices. FREE Management Courses 🔥 𝟭. 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 👉 https://lnkd.in/dSVg_gUX 𝟮. 𝗜𝗕𝗠 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 👉 https://lnkd.in/dYVWT9kj 𝟯. 𝗔𝗜 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 👉 https://lnkd.in/dDsiXKyK 𝟰. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀, 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 👉 https://lnkd.in/dWHe3xk8 𝟱. 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 👉 https://lnkd.in/dmxgWS9G Here's how top firms like BCG, Bain, and McKinsey do it: ➤ Define Your Unique Value - Model: Porter's Value Chain - Actionable Step: Map out your key activities. - Application: Streamline to deliver unique value. ➤ Analyze the Competitive Landscape - Model: BCG Growth-Share Matrix - Actionable Step: Categorize products into four types. - Application: Focus resources on high-potential areas. ➤ Prioritize Initiatives - Model: McKinsey's 7-S Framework - Actionable Step: Align strategy, structure, and systems. - Application: Ensure all aspects support your vision. ➤ Develop a Clear Vision - Model: SWOT Analysis - Actionable Step: Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. - Application: Form a clear and actionable vision. ➤ Foster Innovation - Model: McKinsey's Three Horizons - Actionable Step: Manage short-term and long-term growth. - Application: Mix projects to support immediate and future goals. ➤ Adapt and Evolve - Model: PEST Analysis - Actionable Step: Analyze Political, Economic, Social, and Technological factors. - Application: Adapt strategies to external changes. "Strategy without process is little more than a wish list." — Robert Filek, BCG How do you make your strategic decisions? Share your thoughts below! Did you find this helpful? ♻️ Share it with your network. Follow Jay Mount for more.

Too many opinions and not enough data? Here's how to design your strategy: "Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it's about deliberately choosing to be different." — Michael Porter Strategic thinking is critical in leadership. It’s not just about planning. It’s about smart choices. FREE Management Courses 🔥 𝟭. 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 👉 https://lnkd.in/dSVg_gUX 𝟮. 𝗜𝗕𝗠 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 👉 https://lnkd.in/dYVWT9kj 𝟯. 𝗔𝗜 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 👉 https://lnkd.in/dDsiXKyK 𝟰. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀, 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 👉 https://lnkd.in/dWHe3xk8 𝟱. 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 👉 https://lnkd.in/dmxgWS9G Here's how top firms like BCG, Bain, and McKinsey do it: ➤ Define Your Unique Value - Model: Porter's Value Chain - Actionable Step: Map out your key activities. - Application: Streamline to deliver unique value. ➤ Analyze the Competitive Landscape - Model: BCG Growth-Share Matrix - Actionable Step: Categorize products into four types. - Application: Focus resources on high-potential areas. ➤ Prioritize Initiatives - Model: McKinsey's 7-S Framework - Actionable Step: Align strategy, structure, and systems. - Application: Ensure all aspects support your vision. ➤ Develop a Clear Vision - Model: SWOT Analysis - Actionable Step: Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. - Application: Form a clear and actionable vision. ➤ Foster Innovation - Model: McKinsey's Three Horizons - Actionable Step: Manage short-term and long-term growth. - Application: Mix projects to support immediate and future goals. ➤ Adapt and Evolve - Model: PEST Analysis - Actionable Step: Analyze Political, Economic, Social, and Technological factors. - Application: Adapt strategies to external changes. "Strategy without process is little more than a wish list." — Robert Filek, BCG How do you make your strategic decisions? Share your thoughts below! Did you find this helpful? ♻️ Share it with your network. Follow Jay Mount for more.

46 years ago, McKinsey identified strategic thinking as one of three different mechanisms companies use to formulate strategy. In that process, they identified four rules of strategic thinking. 1. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Strategic thinking begins with a solid foundation of facts and data. 2. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Great strategists don't accept the status quo. They question widely held beliefs and seek opportunities where others see limitations. 3. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬. A strategist looks for ways to achieve goals at minimal cost, constantly seeking low-cost or no-cost solutions to win. 4. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝-𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. The best strategies often take the road less traveled. Instead of engaging in predictable, head-on competition, strategic thinkers find indirect and unexpected paths to success. IMO, these are some good rules to start with, but like most academic approaches to strategy, they fail to consider the human dynamic. Strategy doesn't come to life all by itself - it has to energize people into action. At a minimum, I would add a rule that says: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘥𝘥 (or change)? --------- 💡 I'm Alex Nesbitt. I help leaders connect strategy with action and scale with simplicity. 🚀🎯 PS. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 with this masterclass: https://lnkd.in/dgQ9dQVc Spring Special - 30% discount with the coupon code SPRING24

46 years ago, McKinsey identified strategic thinking as one of three different mechanisms companies use to formulate strategy. In that process, they identified four rules of strategic thinking. 1. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Strategic thinking begins with a solid foundation of facts and data. 2. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Great strategists don't accept the status quo. They question widely held beliefs and seek opportunities where others see limitations. 3. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬. A strategist looks for ways to achieve goals at minimal cost, constantly seeking low-cost or no-cost solutions to win. 4. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝-𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. The best strategies often take the road less traveled. Instead of engaging in predictable, head-on competition, strategic thinkers find indirect and unexpected paths to success. IMO, these are some good rules to start with, but like most academic approaches to strategy, they fail to consider the human dynamic. Strategy doesn't come to life all by itself - it has to energize people into action. At a minimum, I would add a rule that says: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘥𝘥 (or change)? --------- 💡 I'm Alex Nesbitt. I help leaders connect strategy with action and scale with simplicity. 🚀🎯 PS. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 with this masterclass: https://lnkd.in/dgQ9dQVc Spring Special - 30% discount with the coupon code SPRING24

46 years ago, McKinsey identified strategic thinking as one of three different mechanisms companies use to formulate strategy. In that process, they identified four rules of strategic thinking. 1. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Strategic thinking begins with a solid foundation of facts and data. 2. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Great strategists don't accept the status quo. They question widely held beliefs and seek opportunities where others see limitations. 3. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬. A strategist looks for ways to achieve goals at minimal cost, constantly seeking low-cost or no-cost solutions to win. 4. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝-𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. The best strategies often take the road less traveled. Instead of engaging in predictable, head-on competition, strategic thinkers find indirect and unexpected paths to success. IMO, these are some good rules to start with, but like most academic approaches to strategy, they fail to consider the human dynamic. Strategy doesn't come to life all by itself - it has to energize people into action. At a minimum, I would add a rule that says: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘥𝘥 (or change)? --------- 💡 I'm Alex Nesbitt. I help leaders connect strategy with action and scale with simplicity. 🚀🎯 PS. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 with this masterclass: https://lnkd.in/dgQ9dQVc Spring Special - 30% discount with the coupon code SPRING24

46 years ago, McKinsey identified strategic thinking as one of three different mechanisms companies use to formulate strategy. In that process, they identified four rules of strategic thinking. 1. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Strategic thinking begins with a solid foundation of facts and data. 2. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Great strategists don't accept the status quo. They question widely held beliefs and seek opportunities where others see limitations. 3. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬. A strategist looks for ways to achieve goals at minimal cost, constantly seeking low-cost or no-cost solutions to win. 4. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝-𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. The best strategies often take the road less traveled. Instead of engaging in predictable, head-on competition, strategic thinkers find indirect and unexpected paths to success. IMO, these are some good rules to start with, but like most academic approaches to strategy, they fail to consider the human dynamic. Strategy doesn't come to life all by itself - it has to energize people into action. At a minimum, I would add a rule that says: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘥𝘥 (or change)? --------- 💡 I'm Alex Nesbitt. I help leaders connect strategy with action and scale with simplicity. 🚀🎯 PS. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 with this masterclass: https://lnkd.in/dgQ9dQVc Spring Special - 30% discount with the coupon code SPRING24

46 years ago, McKinsey identified strategic thinking as one of three different mechanisms companies use to formulate strategy. In that process, they identified four rules of strategic thinking. 1. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Strategic thinking begins with a solid foundation of facts and data. 2. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Great strategists don't accept the status quo. They question widely held beliefs and seek opportunities where others see limitations. 3. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬. A strategist looks for ways to achieve goals at minimal cost, constantly seeking low-cost or no-cost solutions to win. 4. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝-𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. The best strategies often take the road less traveled. Instead of engaging in predictable, head-on competition, strategic thinkers find indirect and unexpected paths to success. IMO, these are some good rules to start with, but like most academic approaches to strategy, they fail to consider the human dynamic. Strategy doesn't come to life all by itself - it has to energize people into action. At a minimum, I would add a rule that says: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘥𝘥 (or change)? --------- 💡 I'm Alex Nesbitt. I help leaders connect strategy with action and scale with simplicity. 🚀🎯 PS. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 with this masterclass: https://lnkd.in/dgQ9dQVc Spring Special - 30% discount with the coupon code SPRING24

46 years ago, McKinsey identified strategic thinking as one of three different mechanisms companies use to formulate strategy. In that process, they identified four rules of strategic thinking. 1. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Strategic thinking begins with a solid foundation of facts and data. 2. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Great strategists don't accept the status quo. They question widely held beliefs and seek opportunities where others see limitations. 3. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬. A strategist looks for ways to achieve goals at minimal cost, constantly seeking low-cost or no-cost solutions to win. 4. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝-𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. The best strategies often take the road less traveled. Instead of engaging in predictable, head-on competition, strategic thinkers find indirect and unexpected paths to success. IMO, these are some good rules to start with, but like most academic approaches to strategy, they fail to consider the human dynamic. Strategy doesn't come to life all by itself - it has to energize people into action. At a minimum, I would add a rule that says: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘥𝘥 (or change)? --------- 💡 I'm Alex Nesbitt. I help leaders connect strategy with action and scale with simplicity. 🚀🎯 PS. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 with this masterclass: https://lnkd.in/dgQ9dQVc Spring Special - 30% discount with the coupon code SPRING24