What is strategic thinking, and why is it important?

 

A way of thinking that includes consideration of long-term goals, as well as all constructive methods for achieving them, is called strategic thinking. It is an extremely effective ability to anticipate and prevent potential problems and thus ensure the development and growth of the initiative that is being strategically considered.

 

How strategic are you in your business? Are you more prone to a reactive approach that aims to “put out fires” and make decisions based on current circumstances and the achievement of short-term goals? Certainly, both approaches have their benefits and should not be mutually exclusive. The fact is that there is a somewhat more significant advantage to strategic thinking, and here’s why.

 

Strategic thinking is characterized by a focus on a long-term vision and goal, solving problems through understanding their causes (and therefore the ability to predict, prevent, or reduce problems), flexibility in relation to the set plan, and creativity to undermine conventional thinking that aims at the moment at solving problems and maintaining the status quo.

 

These characteristics are the characteristics of a high-quality strategic document.

 

When do we recommend strategy development to our clients?

 

Our experience shows that the following three cases are most common:

 

  1. a) when we see that the client needs the provision of stability, achievement of goals and long-term stability (of business)

 

  1. b) the client is not sure how, when, by what means and in what ways it is necessary to communicate its values to the target group

 

  1. c) the client has a new product, value or service and wants to place information about values on the market in the most reliable way (communication)

 

How do we come to the conclusion of what type of strategy our client needs?

 

And how do we come to the conclusion of what type of strategy our client needs? – we do it through a conversation, during a meeting – through a set of questions adapted to the needs of our client. Based on the data from the conversation, we conclude what type of document is needed – that is, if the client starts to communicate his product “from scratch”, we need a brand strategy aimed at designing and communicating the entire brand; if the client has a clear identity but an insufficiently designed way of communication – we will certainly propose a communication strategy, or, on the other hand, if the client already has a recognizable identity, developed communication channels, but wants to improve communication activities that will bring him closer to the desired goal – we would very likely decide for the creation of a content strategy or, possibly, for the creation of an action plan.

 

An agile approach to the strategic document and a partnership approach to the client are our keys to success

 

What is extremely important to emphasize is that there is no single, universal strategic document and approach that fits everyone and magically offers a solution. Each client is unique, as are the needs for which they turn to us. In addition, it is important to know that the strategy itself is not a “dead letter on paper”, and the client’s dealing with the strategy should not end with the finalization of the document. Namely, it is necessary that, during the implementation of the strategic plan, the strategy is continuously adjusted so that the document itself is a reflection of the changes in the market in order to meet the specific goals of the client.

 

That’s why it’s crucial, exactly what our team of strategists practices – a tailored approach to the client, their problem and an analytical view of it. This results in conclusions, based on objective facts and the needs of the client, which help us to choose the type of strategy and then the strategic approach adequate to the respective case. During the actual implementation of the strategic plan, the agile approach allows us always to be ready for optimization, to record all changes in external circumstances and the internal milieu of business, and, in accordance with those changes, to make changes to strategic actions for better results.

If you have doubts about the strategic setting of your business and you are not sure what type of strategy you need, the first step towards a solution would be a consultation with our team. It is quite certain that we will welcome you in a recognizable atmosphere and, through a conversation, determine which set of strategic steps is needed in order to position yourself on the market adequately, attract a key group, create a recognizable brand and competitive advantages in order to achieve goals of your business.