Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Strategic words and phrases for the decade (and beyond)

My sampling of several key strategic words, phases, and ideas you might want to be thinking about this decade - -
  • Envision - - More of an emphasis on imagination when thinking about the future.  A thrust and focus on reframing what might be possible in the future.  Don't predict, but don't ignore the extremes of your opportunities (and threats).  Key question - - "How do you measure the return on investment of reframing of the way you look at the world?"
  • Change is Here - - The acceleration of history is a disruptive strategic force.  We exist in a moment and movement of constant change.  The more you except this, the greater will be your opportunities.
  • Architectures of Collaboration - - How you interface and share ideas will define who you interface and share ideas with.  The power of global collaboration will produce a vast, innovative, and collaborative network of "who" you know people with "what" you know people.  Setting on the collaboration sideline is not an alternative.
  • Linkages - - It is about your strategic network.  Unique value will be generated in a global web of nodes and linkages.  The quality of your connections will determine your unique value.  Your connected world provides the mechanism for going from dreaming big to doing big.  Companies and individuals will be defined and measured in terms of the quality of their strategic linkages in a global network dominated by "who" and "what."  The "why" of strategy moves much closer to "who" and "what."
  • Private/Public Interface - - The developed world is broke or will be broke; austerity will reign.  Success will belong to those organizations that can negotiate the complex private/public interface - - where private investment flows in support of public goods and services.   Your unfixed pothole represents the pinnacle of the private/public interface and opportunity.
  • Adaptable - - Constant change will produce organizations that are both strategically adaptable and flexible.  The power of resilient organizations and individuals will rule - - those that face barriers, yet still move forward.  Strategic agility is closely linked to adaptability - - agility requires organizations to be both contextually specific and conceptually abstract in their strategic language
  • Think Bravely - - Living in a brave new world will require brave new thinking.  Being brave means challenging taken-for-granted assumptions.  Everything is fast-changing and highly competitive.  Strategic courage will be required.
  • End User - - The focus will be on the hole.  The electric drill might have seemed important last decade - - but all the customer or client really wants is a two-inch hole.  They want a hole, on time, on budget, that meets their performance requirements.  Don't be in the middle between the drill and the hole - - you will get marginalized.  The end will be the beginning.
  • Culture and Brand - - Your only strategic constants are your organizational culture and values combined with your brand.  The external environment is rapidly changing and challenging - - but the internal glue that supports and holds this all together needs to be stronger than ever.  Thing of your culture and brand as the gorilla glue for strategic management.
  • Unique Value - - Value is out, "unique value" is in.  Being different and unique are the cornerstone of a foundation for being great.  Being great will be a function of creating "unique value" - - the more of a "monopoly uniqueness" you can create, the greater you will become. 
  • Social Well-Being - - The two columns of growth and prosperity will need a third leg - - social well-being.  All of your strategic stakeholders will demand a sustainable future.  You must build for the long term.  You must be fair and ethical in all your dealings.  You must benefit the local communities in which you operate.
  • Size versus Signals - - Get past the strategic implications of big, small or someplace in the middle.  Signals will trump size.  Your reputation is indivisible.  Your reputation relies on the actions and signals of every employee.  Strategically manage your signals in a new world of social media.  Tell (and sell) the world your story. 

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