“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where–” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“–so long as I get SOMEWHERE,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”
From Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, 1865.
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where–” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“–so long as I get SOMEWHERE,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”
From Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, 1865.
This is the exchange between Alice and the Cat in Alice in Wonderland. Unfortunately, it is true for many businesses also. They are just going through the motions and don’t have a real plan of where they are trying to get to.
There are some key questions you need to consider and be clear on.
1. Why does this business exist? What is its purpose?
2. What is the mission for the business? By when?
3. Where are we now and how are we going to get there?
This is the essence of business strategy. Here is as good a definition of strategy as we need:
“A business strategy outlines the plan of action to achieve the vision and set objectives of an organization and guides the decision-making processes to improve the company’s financial stability in a competing market.”
And a key to achieving a strategy is to set a baseline. Look at your business objectively, without the rose-coloured glasses on. What are its strengths? What are its weaknesses?
