Architecting

Developing a coherent business strategy is often where most managers spend their time.  Great leaders spend even more time on implementing and delivering.

It has often been stated,  “the essence of strategy is sacrifice”.  The first steps in architecting are as much about where to focus, what not to do, and how to allocate resources.

One simple first step is to use a strategic framework and establish both a planning routine and governance. Depending on the complexity, scope, and scale of the business additional tools may be needed.  In my opinion, business leaders should be trained on  scenario planning and apply that to assessing future impacts (and understanding what has been done around their core strategy.  The “best of the best” at this are two groups – Global Business Network, now part of Monitor Group, and Shell  ( check out the Shell scenario guide and the latest version of the Shell scenarios).