Create a Strategy with IMPACT, Not Strategery

Wikipedia defines strategy as “is a high level to achieve one or more goals under conditions of uncertainty.” The word is of military origin, deriving from the Greek word strategos. In military usage strategy is distinct from tactics, which are concerned with the conduct of an engagement, while strategy is concerned with how different engagements are linked.

Descending the stairs to my home office, one of my first thoughts, besides what I want to accomplish for the day, is how I can position the business long-term. Mindful of the current environment, I play out alternative scenarios, asking “what if this happened?” Ok, if that occurred, what would we do if that happened? I play out the repercussions in my mind.  To some degree, it comes naturally to me. It’s a skill that I use to help organizations develop insights, clarify objectives, and overcome obstacles.

But, having been in communications for 20-plus years, the term “strategy” has become one of the most overused terms, and more often than not, it’s strategery.

Poorly thought-out, hurried plans, made under duress do not represent strategy. At best they are tactics. When presented as a strategy, however, they become strategery.

Below are a few examples to help you determine whether the plan you are currently developing represents strategy or, in fact, strategery:

1) If the ‘strategy’ meeting you’re holding was called ten minutes ago it’s a strategery meeting

2) If you’re developing the plan at midnight on your 10th cup of strong coffee, it’s probably strategery

3) If three participants in the meeting are dialing in separately by phone to discuss it, it’s strategery

4) If the ‘strategic plan’ needs to be implemented as soon as possible and completed by next week, it’s a strategery plan

5) If the CEO, CFO, or COO are not a part of the initial meetings and discovery sessions, it’s strategery.

If you’re familiar with the above examples, this is one of the reasons why Collaborative Partnership Strategies was formed. We create opportunities for private, public, and nonprofits by helping them leverage funds and awareness through innovative strategies focused on IMPACT.

The acronym, IMPACT, represents the values that we strive to fulfill with every client.