Strategy - Personal and Business

Many different daily tasks require a strategic process to be formulated or habitually developed, and then implemented. This can be as simple as at what time you get up and the process you take in getting ready for the day. For example you may wake at 6:00 am, shower and dress at 6:15, drink a cup of coffee and grab a bite to eat at 6:45 and be out of the door by 7:00.

This is what is known as routine strategy. This is a process that flows with the normal, every day motions that we make in life. Routine strategies are all around us, rarely viewed as strategy to the normalcy that comes along with them. Most of us strive to be as efficient as possible in order to maximize our daily efforts, therefore more routine and strategy is required as part of life/time management skills. Strategies do not always go without a hitch. Something inevitably comes along that requires change, something that breaks the routine. For example, let's say that your alarm clock fails to buzz you with your 6:00 am wake up call. You wake at 6:30 am and are now rushed. No harm done, you are just put in a position to adapt to the change. Maybe showering and getting dressed are all you can accomplish; breakfast will just have to wait.

You will survive the day, the cobwebs will clear soon enough and at worst you are feeling a bit hungry, however your adaptation to change allowed you to still make it to work on time with small sacrifices. One thing is probable and that is you will probably take a look at the alarm when you get home, checking back-up batteries, volume, etc.., in order to make sure the strategy/routine isn't disrupted the next day. The same goes for business strategies. Once a formal plan has been created whether by routine or by change, it is important to stick to it and develop as you go. Business in general requires change and adaptation. In more instances than not change is a necessity that allows for growth. Change can be a company's biggest asset if built on a strategic foundation. Corporate strategy should be easily defined by the processes in which the company operates, the processes should line together with the strategic plan and architecture that fortifies the internal works of the company.

What if your company lacks a unified strategic plan? Inevitably, without a cohesive strategic plan in place the foundation weakens. If you have one portion of the company implementing one process and another portion following another model the company as a whole will not be an efficient, fluid machine. Potential will be lost as the structure weakens.

Rick Munster is the Media Planner for Debt Reduction Services, http://www.debtreductionservices.com. He resides in Boise, Idaho. When he's not developing marketing plans he enjoys writing and getting away to the mountains for a nice hike, and finding somewhere to drop a line and do a little fishing.