The digital revolution is transforming almost every aspect of almost every business. As strategists, it is important to remain abreast of these trends in order to be able to advise our employers or clients appropriately.
But there is one aspect of the digital revolution we often overlook. And that is how digital can change the way we do strategy itself.
Most strategy processes still boil down to circulating large Powerpoint decks or Word documents by email. Just like we did 30 years ago.
Fortunately, that is now starting to change. StratNavApp.com is an online business strategy development and execution tool designed to:
StratNavApp.com is arranged around a unique Strategy Board. This brings together the 4 core stages of the strategy development and execution cycle:
The Analysis module is all about understanding the current situation and anticipated future(s). This includes the organisation's
This understanding provides the WHY of your strategy.
StratNavApp provides a number of tools for doing this, such as:
The different models are all integrated behind the scenes where this makes sense. For example, the insights generated in the other tools will automatically show up in your SWOT analysis. You can also attach them to processes in the Value Chain analysis, etc.
The Articulation module is where you express WHAT your strategy is. StratNavApp.com allows you to articulate your
You can also set your strategic
The Scorecard provides a useful summary of your Goals, Objectives KPIs and Targets. (The scorecard is in the Control quadrant.) It also helps you identify any gaps in your strategy.
The Strategy House provides a handy summary of your strategy. This is particularly useful for communication.
The Planning module allows you to map out exactly HOW you plan to deliver your strategy.
Initiatives move through various stages, such as proposal, approval, delivery and completion.
You can also organise your Initiatives in:
The Goal/Initiative Matrix allows you to map your Initiatives to your Goals. It highlights
The Initiative RASCI helps you to ensure that the right people are involved in the right initiatives in the right roles.
The Initiative/Scenario Matrix helps you test the robustness of your initiatives against the uncertainties you identified in the Analysis phase.
The Control module runs across the other modules. It provides tools to assist in the development and execution of your strategy. To make sure it actually gets done!
A RAID log allows you to record Risks, Actions, Issues and Decisions. You can also link these to your to the appropriate items within the other three modules. (Learn more.)
You can also record Stakeholders. These are either Individuals, Organisations or Generic Groups. Using a RASCI framework, you can map them as being either Responsible, Supporting, Accountable, Consulted or Informed for Goals, Initiatives or Actions.
The Meeting Manager allows you to plan and record all of your meetings. You can record which Stakeholders participated in which meetings. You can also record Agendas, Minutes, Actions and Decisions. The Actions and Decisions are automatically included in the RAID log. You can also then link them back to the relevant Insights, Goals and Initiatives, etc.
Lastly, the Scorecard provides a graphical summary of all of your KPI's Target and Actual Results. This allows you to easily track if your strategy is delivering. You can also feed this back into the ongoing Analysis and refinement of your strategy.
Collaboration is baked into StratNavApp at every step along the way.
To invite someone into your strategy project, simply enter their email address. StratNavApp will then email them with appropriate instructions which will then link them to your project. Only people you invite can see your strategy projects.
All changes are recorded, using a familiar legal red-lining approach where applicable. They also timestamped together with the author who made them. So you'll always know who did what and when. There is also a handy notes feature allowing teammates to annotate and comment on any element of your strategy. This ensures that all collaboration around your strategy remains attached to the strategy content to which it relates. No more trawling through email archives and old versions of documents to remember who said what when!
Once a day, StratNavApp will email you a summary of all the changes and notes your teammates have made, ensuring you're always up to date and engaged in the conversation.
The Reporting module enables you to extract a snapshot strategic plan at any stage in your journey. Because it is a dynamic snapshot at a point in time, your strategic plan truly becomes a "living document", not an annual report which just sits on the shelf until next year.
You can also export your strategy plan into Strategy Markup Language (StratML). StratML is the ISO Standard XML Schema for Strategy and Performance Plans and Reports.
Your projects are also fully searchable, and available from any device connected to the internet, be it a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
And you can upload files/documents and attach them to your analysis and initiatives. So the industry report you needed is always right there when you need it. And the business case spreadsheet is always attached to the initiative.
StratNavApp is free to use for up to three projects. If you want to do more than three projects, there is a subscription version available for a small monthly fee. Enterprise licenses are also available.
Why not click here to give it a go, now?
I love running. There is something elegantly simple about it. You can do it almost anywhere and with very little equipment. And it's something that we, as humans, have evolved to do over hundreds of thousands of years.
But what does running have to do with strategy? At least five things, I think.
Despite its elegant simplicity (left foot, right foot, repeat...) there is an almost infinite variety of different ways in which people approach running.
One only has to look at the number of books written on the subject to see this.
Training for and running a 5km race is very different from training for and running a 100-mile race. Road races are different from trail races (as well as all manner of 'adventure' races).
And there is:
And so most runners know that to progress beyond a certain level you need to approach running strategically. Just like in business, progressing as a runner requires that you:
I started running relatively late in life. At the time, I could barely run 2km without collapsing in a puffing and panting heap. All I wanted to do was get a little fit. However, as I gained a basic level of fitness, I started to think about running more strategically (as I eventually do with most things in life!) Eventually, a few short years later, I ended up running a 50-mile trail ultra-marathon.
When I started running, I knew nothing about ultra-marathons. I certainly would never have imagined I could ever actually run one. Running has taught me that:
With thought and insight, planning and preparation, and discipline in execution, people and businesses can achieve almost unbelievable things. (Tweet this!)
Running, particularly longer distances, gives you lots of time to think. There is something meditative in the simple and repetitive motion of running. It clears your head. Some runners like to use headphones and music to pass the time while running. But I usually avoid this, preferring just to be present in the activity.
I've done some of my best thinking while running. Being unable to take notes or start acting on my thoughts immediately, leaves me free to think more deeply than I otherwise might. And, of course, after a run, I come back to the world with a clearer head. I am more ready than before to tackle whatever the day demands.
Sometimes you can get so close to a seemingly intractable strategic problem that you can no longer see the forest for the trees. (Tweet this!)
When that happens, it is useful to have a way to step back from the problem. To change your mode of thinking. To give yourself enough space to see things differently. Sometimes, the simple act of going for a walk around the block is enough. Other times you need something more. And with most things in life, practice makes perfect.
No strategy is ever plain sailing. As Machiavelli said, "It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out nor more doubtful of success nor more dangerous to handle than to initiate a new order of things." Executing strategy takes hard work and often long hours. The circumstances are often emotionally charged. Let's face it - it can be draining at times.
Long distances running teaches you to remain focused up to and beyond the point of total exhaustion.
Physical and mental fitness are a key determinant of success in business as much as they are in running. (Tweet this!)
Let's face it: things don't always go according to plan. No matter how well you prepare, things still go wrong on a run. Anything from bad weather, to a dodgy prawn the night before, to blisters, chafing or other injuries, to getting lost on the trail, can threaten your run.
With experience and foresight, you can anticipate and avoid many issues. You can carry a waterproof jacket and mobile phone case. You can eat only tried and tested safe meals leading up to a race. You can wear twin-skin socks. You can carry a map and compass, etc. Other times, you have no choice but to bail out of a run early. This can be heartbreaking if its a race you've spent months preparing for!
Training, also, may not go according to plan. Work and family commitments, illness, etc. can call get in the way.
The key, in running as in business, is preparation, anticipation AND flexibility. Bake those into your plans. Don't treat them as an afterthought AFTER things don't go according to plan.
Bake preparation, anticipation and flexibility into your plans, not AFTER things don't go according to plan. (Tweet this!)
There is a certain physical pleasure you get from pushing your body beyond its limits. There is also the satisfaction you get from achieving things you couldn't do before. And there is joy in just being outside and on the trails. You get the best views, I believe, by running to the top of the hill. I've seen some spectacular sights when out running. I've observed the changing seasons in the forest more keenly than I otherwise would have.
They say it's important to stop and smell the flowers from time to time. Running affords me a unique opportunity to do so.
Of course, there have been early morning training runs, when it's cold, dark and wet outside. Times when I've had to remind myself that I enjoy running. But at the end of the day, I know I'd never have kept it up if I didn't enjoy it as an activity in itself and because of the sense of achievement I've gotten from it.
And I think it is the same with business strategy also. As noted above, it can be physically and mentally draining. If you don't enjoy the process, and if you aren't intrinsically motivated by what you're trying to achieve, it will be hard, if not impossible, to keep performing at your best.
Indeed, one might question whether struggle without enjoyment makes any sense at all. (Tweet this!)
So whatever business you're in, and whatever strategy you're pursuing, make sure it is something that brings you some joy. And in the difficult times - for they will come - make an effort to keep some fun in the process.
I am no running coach, but I am a strategy consultant. For a confidential conversation about how I could help your business, please contact me.
See also:
That's a really great strategy and I'm totally behind it. Even better, what I'm already doing is already totally aligned with the new strategy.It's a great get out because you get to appear to be enthusiastic, part of the team and forward-looking. But you don't actually have to do or change anything.
