> [!success] Strategy = a integrative set of choices that positions you to win # What is a Strategy A strategy is: - An integrative **set of choices that positions you a on playing field of your choice in a way that you win** - Must be coherent and doable - uncomfortable, because you cannot control them - ultimately the _customer is the customer_. - concerned with the [[Prefer a Long-Term Philosophy|long-term]], not this cycle > [!tip] The essence of strategy: > **choosing to perform activities differently than rivals do.** > -_[HBR](https://hbr.org/1996/11/what-is-strategy)_ Strategies are what makes your [[What is a Plan|plan]]s _cohesive_. [[Strategy is Design]], a [[Good Strategy]] will [[Make the Decision that Informs all Subsequent Decisions]]. It should be [[Simplicity|simple]], and easy to contain in a short _(no more than 1 page)_ [[Strategy Document]], defining the problem, the [[Tradespace]] selections as a policy, and the synergistic/cohesive actions that carry out the policy. ## An Alternative Definition: From UCLA Anderson School of Management professor Richard P. Rumelt, by way of Jeff Zych: > [!cite] [[Strategy is Design]]ing a way to deal with a challenge. A good strategy, therefore, must identify the _challenge_ to be overcome, and design a way to overcome it. To do that, the kernel of a good strategy contains three elements: a _diagnosis_, a _guiding policy_, and _coherent action_. ## Other Ways of Thinking about It Those are all well and good, but a strategy is doesn't *have* to be one particular thing. It doesn't have to contain elements `x`, `y`, and `z`. In fact, being overly reliant on templates can be an indicator of [[Good Strategy|Bad Strategy]]. From [[This is Strategy]]: > [!info] Strategy isn't a map -- it's a compass. ^401810 This is my favorite thing that book said. Strategy doesn't explain everything you're doing in every scenario - it tells you just enough that you can keep moving in a strategic direction as the ground around you changes. **** ## Source - -  - https://hbr.org/1996/11/what-is-strategy - https://jlzych.com/2018/06/27/notes-from-good-strategy-bad-strategy/ - [[This is Strategy]] - which you'd sure hope answers the question "what is strategy" ## Related - [[What is a Plan]] - [[A Plan is Not a Strategy]] - [[Strategy Document]]