competence - Strategic Orientation

Strategic Orientation

·         A thorough definition of SUCCESS in quantitative and qualitative terms.

·         Prepares a contingency plan. Plan B.

·         A thorough knowledge of the situation.

·         Formulates strategies based on SWOT , IS and ES.

·         Examines policy  long term perspective.

·         Determines objectives and sets priorities.

·         Anticipates potential threats or opportunities.

·         Thorough knowledge of industry tactics and best practices

·         Thorough understanding of the inter play of various components in sustaining a successful operation.

·         Demonstrates internal and external awareness.

·         Foreknowledge; being one step ahead of competition everytime

·         Graetz's model holds that the role of strategic thinking is "to seek innovation and imagine new and very different futures that may lead the company to redefine its core strategies and even its industry". Strategic planning's role is "to realize and to support strategies developed through the strategic thinking process and to integrate these back into the business".

“The skillful commander does not demand victory from his soldiers. Victory is the product of a skillful commanders creative imagination. The Skillful General is circumspect. He prefers to win by strategy” The Art of War

Skill Builder Program:

1.       Review your personal  goals and objective to make sure they are realistic.  Request feedback from others outside of your organization.

2.       Prepare a SWOT analysis of personal capabilities against career plans.

3.       Build your annual goals and objectives around your personal vision. Make sure they are realistic.

4.       Develop a "tool box" of  strategic thinking techniques

5.       Identify colleagues who appear to have well-defined strategic plans; speak with them about how they formulated their plans and the strategies they are using to meet their objectives.

6.       Seek opportunities for assignments that require strategic planning, e.g., volunteer to serve on a task force or planning committee on an organization as Christmas party

7.       Serve on a strategic planning team

Illustration:

Marj, a key account manager, was given a new assignment in another territory. She is expected to perform immediately as the region is behind company norm. Marj, demonstrating strategic thinking, plans a transition program wherein she captured all the necessary details she needed to accomplish her objective. Details as Data on historical sales, customer master list with respective Terms of trade, and account information, promo budget, schedule of trade introduction, list of purchasers with peculiarities, manpower required, route plan, forecast for the month, volume accounts and contingency plan. With her strategy and plan in place, marj achieved her targets.