7 – Generic Strategy and other Choices that form “The Big Picture” of a Company’s Strategy

This is the first of 3 videos on Strategy Formulation by the STRATEGY4ACTION framework, focusing on a handful of main choices I call “THE BIG PICTURE” of a Company’s Strategy. On the heels of the Analysis Wrap Up, we will use Michael Porter’s Generic Strategies’ framework to pick one for your company. Then, we will define what is the Competitive Advantage(s) you will be building, and the Core Competences that should support it; whether you have them or need to enable them.

Then, we will create or fine-tune your VisionMission and/or Purpose statements, and what are the Values and/or Behaviors you want to uphold in the company.

And because we have a compilation of Opportunities, we will create a draft definition of Long term Goals that will be fine-tuned when creating Financial Projections.

The choice of a Generic Strategy and the other main Choices of a Company’s Strategy form what can be called the Big Bicture.  It’s like a flag that shows the way towards a challenging and exciting goal that has been desired and established. And, at the same time, it’s a framework for decision making, clarifying priorities and defining what you do and what you don’t do.  Finally, it’s a source of inspiration to everyone in your organization for the foreseeable future.

When was the last time you took the time to review or consider the elements of “The Big Picture”?  How structured was that effort?  Strategy4Action brings you the best practices on it and facilitates that work while, at the same time, bringing more of your employees’ ideas to the table.  As the example in the video demonstrates, you can find a path to healthy return on capital by finding the right strategy even in the worst of industries.

Here is direct access to the airline industry study mentioned in the video: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/travel-logistics-and-infrastructure/our-insights/between-roic-and-a-hard-place-the-puzzle-of-airline-economics

The Strategy4Action Framework is a step-by-step guide to define or fine-tune your company’s Strategy and put it in action.

Learn more about the whole Strategy4Action framework here: Strategy4Action – S4A Steps