organizations and strategies

Last week during class we were asked to do a litle research for organizations and strategies. Two terms that might sound familiar to everybody but do we really know the meaning of these two words? In the following article the term strategy and it's difference from tactics are explained.




Strategy

The term strategy is another term that we hear all and maybe use often. The simplest definition for strategy is 'a long term plan to accomplish a goal'. Just like organization, strategy is also a Greek word. It's two words actually, 'στρατός' and 'άγω' (stratos & ago). These two words mean military and conduct/lead. We can see that even so many years ago in ancient Greece strategy was as important as it is today to the military.

Nowadays, strategies are not only used by military during battles but it is a common term in sports, games, business and organizations. The four most common ways people use strategies are stressed by Henry Mintzber (in his book 'The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning').

• Strategy is a plan, a "how," a means of getting from here to there.
• Strategy is perspective, that is, vision and direction.
• Strategy is position; that is, it reflects decisions to offer particular products or services in particular markets.
• Strategy is a pattern in actions over time; for example, a company that regularly markets very expensive products is using a "high end" strategy.

Strategy vs Tactics

A lot of times people confuse the two terms. It is true that they seem to have the same meaning but they don't. In contrast with strategy, a tactic is coming up with a way to reach an immediate or short-term target. Tactics can help fullfil a strategy.

Famous quotes

1. Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
   - Sun Tzu (Chinese General, circa 500 BC)
2. Tactics mean doing what you can with what you have
   -Saul Alinsky
   

Finally, I saw an interesting post in Seth Godin's blog about the difference between strategy and tactics. He mentions that:
'The right strategy makes any tactic work better. The right strategy puts less pressure on executing
your tactics perfectly.

Here's the obligatory January skiing analogy: Carving your turns better is a tactic. Choosing the right
ski area in the first place is a strategy. Everyone skis better in Utah, it turns out.'

Click HERE to view the complete post on Seth's blog.