Hi!
I’ve been rethinking my strategy framework.
More accurately, I’ve been reframing the ideas.
Why?
Because metaphors are a great way to teach people.
The framing of your argument is key to the argument’s success.
Think about some of the more important lessons I’ve taught you over the years:
- Discounts are for dummies!
- Strategy before tactics.
- Data is reactive. Research is proactive.
All of them are framed in a way that makes you stop and consider the lesson wrapped in the framing.
Today, I want to spend a few moments on strategy before tactics.
The frame I’m using for my strategy framework is loosely called “5 Filters”.
The filter metaphor is designed to highlight the importance of getting rid of all the extras so you can get at that core thing.
Today, I want to talk about 2 buckets.
One bucket is strategy.
One bucket is tactics.
The strategy bucket has:
- Your vision
- Your target customers
- Your position
The tactic bucket has:
- The actions you’ll take to make the ideas that come out of your strategy bucket successful.
There’s a third bit that I’m trying to figure out the metaphor to explain it, but that’s the resources you need to take the strategy and turn it into tactics that will help you achieve your goals.
That’s getting off course.
The key point I want to make today is that when you are making your plans for the days, weeks, and months ahead, I want you to spend a moment thinking about which bucket your idea goes in.
More importantly, I want you to think about where the idea originates.
Are you starting in the tactics bucket and trying to force an idea to fit into the strategy bucket?
This is far more common than folks like to admit.
Or, have you started in the strategy bucket, and the action you take flows logically into the tactics area?
Less common in our always-on-demand culture.
I bring this up because the core of strategy is choice.
That’s why we are filtering out things.
But in the world today, we can get overwhelmed by the feeling that we need to do something…no matter what.
Does this make sense?
Say hello.
Hit reply.
You’ve gotten this far. Do me a favor and share this post with a friend, colleague, or on your social media.
Dave
PS. Here’s a picture from a really cool Subway bar in NYC.
Check it out.
