Your organization probably has a purpose statement, carefully crafted to reflect who you are and why you’re really here. You may even have a saying or slogan; something that goes on your website or shows up in the graphics. You certainly have programs and activities that serve that purpose well. And you probably have some goals—the things you wish would happen.
These are all great things. But having them, even clarifying them, isn’t enough.
You need a plan—a written strategy that will point to these outcomes.
Strategy answers the how questions. It’s the play- book, game plan, and operating procedures that bridge the gap between passion and plans. It’s how to transform ideas into execution.
Very few organizations have a documented strategy. They have goals and vague words to describe activities, but they don’t have a strategy.
If you’re new to the idea of strategy, this book gives a good overview and shows how it can help.
Click here to download our entire breakdown of Playing to Win by A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin.