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An organization needs to be well positioned in the
marketplace so as to enjoy
- a competitive advantage if a for-profit business,
and
- a solid reputation if a not-for-profit
organization.
The organization also needs to operate efficiently and
cohesively so as to achieve desired results. Flexibility is essential to ensuring that the
organization's position and means of operation is able to change quickly and easily as
circumstances dictate. Strategy encompasses a gamut of activities. These focus areas will be
explored in a series of articles on strategy; namely,
·
strategic thinking,
·
strategic
planning,
·
strategic alignment,
·
strategic implementation,
·
strategic agility, and
·
strategic planning training
First, we will examine the all encompassing concept of
strategic thinking.
What is Strategic Thinking?
Strategic thinking is the process of developing and
evaluating every decision and action in light of current and future circumstances, the
direction you want to go in and the results you want to achieve. It involves being able to
apply possibility thinking to every situation. It is not about doing “business as usual” but
rather pushing the envelope to see what can be done smarter and what else can be done
“instead of”, or as an “add on”, that would maximize opportunities. Every challenge, every
problem, or every action that someone needs to face or embark on in the organization needs to
be assessed in light of the broader context. This wider framework will better inform
decision-making and ensure the functioning in an organization is done in a more integrated
fashion and is aligned to the strategic goals.
Who Should Be Doing the Strategic
Thinking?
Contrary to popular opinion, it is not
solely the domain of the top leadership, nor is it the sole responsibility of a strategic planning
unit. It is the
responsibility of every person working in, or for, the organization. It is also not a once-off
activity to be done when a strategic plan is being formulated. Having a strategic plan is one
thing, but having every employee working that plan is the ideal. It also doesn’t mean blindly
putting into action what appears in the plan. It requires time to re-evaluate, challenge, and
adjust where necessary.
Just think of the potential if all employees, from
first line of customer interface, to clerical administrator, to machine operator, to team
leader, to specialist, to executive leadership, applied proactive thinking to their work. To
add to that imagine if every employee and leader considered the environmental context in
which they operate, the resources they have at their disposal, the relationships they need to
foster, and the most efficient way to operate so as to achieve the best results and sustain
them. Can any organization today afford not to enable or encourage such a
process!
What Does Strategic Thinking
Entail?
Strategic thinking implies that all
variables are considered - those that pertain to the internal environment of an organization or
work area, and to the market environment outside of the organization and to the much broader
macro external environment. Patterns and trends must be ascertained and the potential impact
assessed so that adjustments can be made in a timely manner. Thought must be given to what
actions the organization can take to proactively influence the circumstances in its
favor.
On a daily operational level, it
consists of considering every factor that could impact upon, or be impacted by, any decision
made or action taken. It involves ensuring alignment to the organization’s goals. The potential
impact is ascertained so that strategic decisions can be made and subsequent required actions
planned for.
What Skills are Required for Strategic
Thinking?
The ability to:
·
see the big picture
·
initiate innovative
ideas
·
conceptualize
complexity
·
know the right questions to
ask
·
think horizontally and
simultaneously
·
know when to ask searching
questions
·
integrate concepts, however
disparate
·
apply lateral thinking to different situations
·
challenge current processes, practices and
strategy
·
unearth alternative approaches, solutions or
methods
There needs to be a culture in the organization
that allows and enables strategic thinking to take place.
Individual employees also have a responsibility to extend their skill set in this competency
and be willing to initiate strategic thinking in different situations. Strategic thinking
provides a start for any strategy process and it also ensures that the organization’s
strategy will remain relevant throughout the year.
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