The Art of Planning Strategically

The allure of conservatism in business or organizations stem from the conviction that pioneering efforts does not pay off. Many believe that it is better to be a follower than a leader. This is probably the reason why many prefer to wait and see and then follow. In many instances this idea may be well founded but it is not always the case.

When planning strategically, the same premise may be true. Business or organizations may be well contended with a plan, followed from others in the same or similar industry who have made it. Why reinvent the wheel when it is there already? A wheel by any other form is a wheel. This idea does not fit in when planning strategically.

Why take the road less traveled in planning strategically? Why not just copy or imitate some plans that you think may work just fine? The answer is profound yet it is simple. Things that you plan that competitors will expect will not produce any strategic advantage for business or organizations. However, it is the unexpected; the unforeseen puts the competitor in an awkward position, forcing it to reveal its strength and weakness in relation to your strategic plan.

The strategic planer has to take the road less traveled as he plans because it is first of all an alteration. Alteration in the strategic plan context is making comparatively small changes that have significant effects. Comparatively small changes done in the right time and in the right location may significantly affect the performance of competition. Small changes can be done in the organizational level, on the financial level. Minute changes can be made on marketing and product delivery. Because the amount of change may be insignificant is does not become easily noticeable.

Since alteration is unexpected in character, the chance of the competition fully anticipating your strategic plan is practically vague. Plan something expected and it is easily discovered, plan something unexpected and they will shake their heads in disbelief.

While the rest of the industry may be going in one direction, you take the road less traveled not by going in the opposite direction but changing business lanes, catering to certain needs you have identified as you watched industry move in the consumer highway. Such kind of game plan is possible on the road less traveled.

The Road Less Traveled is an Adventure

Routine and the expected breeds boredom and makes you dull and predictable. Doing the same thing over and over again produces a mentality of complacency and contentment. The road less traveled is an adventure.

Not only is the road less traveled an alteration it is also an adventure. Adventure is the stuff of kids and that is the reason why they have vibrancy and richness in their imagination. Adventure is also for the strategic planer, it forces him not only to think and be excited but it forces him to driven by emotion. Emotions drive us by contributing certain chemicals into our system. It gives us a certain kind of fear and gives excitement to the otherwise mundane, tedious task.

Adventures are unusual, exciting and hazardous. These elements help in the formulation of strategic plans. Strategic plans must contain elements of the unusual; otherwise what sense will it have when it is of common knowledge to everyone. The element of the unusual fueled by adventure forces the strategic planer to come up scenarios that may seem wild to the imagination but may actually take place in the real business world. Wild scenarios like cars without wheels, hovering or cars that fly may seem wild but is a future possibility. The element of excitement, fueled by adventure is comparable to racing fuel that allows the machine to move at breakneck speeds.

Excitement sparks ideas and a host of other innovative undertakings. The element of hazard, fueled by adventure keeps the strategic planner in his toes and allows him to balance the strategic plan. Hazard should be tempered with safety. Hazardous scenarios will be anticipated and the appropriate measures installed. That is exactly what adventure is on the road less traveled.