Category Archives: Strategy

Focus on the principles not the examples

in Innovation, Strategy

“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.” – Sun Tzu

We all use examples to explain our ideas. Some people use examples from the same category, and a small percentage of us use examples that fall outside those categories. To explain these ideas, we conceptualize them into principles.

In the world of strategy, we have stratagems. For example, the golden rule of strategy principle: Do what others are unwilling to do.

And example of how this looks in practice: Map every walkable street on Earth (including those shared with animals).

Most companies wouldn’t think about doing it. But one company didn’t shy away from the challenge: Google.…

what is strategy?

What term comes to mind when you hear the word strategy?

in Leadership, Strategy

Cynthia Montgomery, Professor of Strategy at Harvard University, asks her students what terms come to mind when they hear the word “strategy.” This word cloud illustrates their typical responses, which tellingly lack the word “leader.”

what is strategy?

Why is that? More of the same leads to more of the same.…

Why do trendspotting at all?

in Innovation, Question-To-Innovate, Questions, Strategy

question to innovate

This number twelve of a series of weekly posts where I will answer a few common questions about innovation. Please feel free to add your own response. Also, if you have any questions you think we should discuss, let me know.

This is one of those not so obvious questions.

First of all, if you are doing trendspotting because you want to stay ahead of competitors, you have it all wrong. This is a reactive response. Sure, if you do it right (and most of the time you won’t be right), you’ll stay ahead of competitors. But that shouldn’t be your main motivation.…

Hop off the bandwagon

What argument can you win?

in Innovation, Strategy

Hop off the bandwagon

There are 2 kinds of warfare: asymmetrical and stupid.   —DR. CONRAD CRANE, DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. ARMY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND AUTHOR OF THE U.S. ARMY/MARINE CORPS COUNTERINSURGENCY FIELD MANUAL

I have a client who competes with Starbucks. Or at least that is what they think. I don’t think they do because they have no argument to win. What is Starbucks good at? There are other factors at play, but these are the main ones: They fill the middle between your home and work, and they are also known for making good enough coffee.

These are not attributes where my client can make a confident argument that they can win. And my client can’t just turn itself into a roaster. And it shouldn’t.

So what to do? The answer is simple but difficult: You do what the other guy can’t or won’t.…

how to get better at strategic thinking

Powerful Strategic Thinking technique for non-strategic thinkers

in Leadership, Strategy, Thinking

how to get better at strategic thinking

How can you get better at strategic thinking? Or in other words, “How do you improve your thought process?” One of the keys to becoming a great leader is to constantly improve your strategic thinking, so you can adjust to new global realities.

The first step is to accept that you are not right most of the time. You have to “constantly” question your own opinions. One way to do this is to surround yourself with people who don’t think like you. People who will question you. Make these people a key part of your team because what you don’t want is to be surrounded by YES men.

Another tip is learn game theory. Game theory is the study of strategic decision making. And strategic thinking is all about making better decisions. Game theory provides you tools to help you gain added perspective to generate alternative views. If you have added perspective, you’ll be able to anticipate and think critically about what may lay ahead; which are key strategic thinking habits.

Anyway, here a few simple and cost-effective ways to begin developing your strategic thinking ability:…