Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review"The term strategy has become so overused and ambiguous in meaning that crafting a coherent, actionable, and successful strategy is unclear and challenging and can lead to company and career shipwreck. Rich is a lighthouse providing process, tools, and guidance to help anyone navigate to a clear, focused, and actionable strategy. His knowledge, experience and examples of strategy in action are invaluable."
—Martin Schray, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation
In his book Strategic, Rich distills the essence of strategy and strategic thinking into its constituent parts and provides a clear framework and guidelines to elevate these capabilities within an organization. While the concepts presented are clear and concise, discipline and commitment are required to apply them effectively. Rich provides readers with the tools necessary to execute and achieve their goals.”
—Michael Combs, President & CEO, CorVel Corporation
“Rich simplifies strategy into a universal language that anyone from anywhere can understand. In a skills-based ecosystem, Strategic provides dozens of practical principles and tools for developing, applying, and communicating with clarity your ability to be strategic while others are tactical.”
—Jason Zeman, Director, Strategic Enablement Leader, Deloitte
“In the 20+ years I have known Rich, he continues to push the boundaries on what strategy truly is and what it is not. His newest book, Strategic, continues this path in providing logical, useful, and understandable tools for any leader to enhance their strategic abilities to effectively navigate all areas of their business. It grabs your attention immediately and will catapult you into the world of strategic expertise.”
—Rob Schneider, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Omron Healthcare
“In his new book, Strategic, Rich Horwath presents a comprehensive guide and clear, relatable examples for strategic thinking in all facets of the business for leaders in any size organization. Drawing on his 25 years of expertise in the field of strategy, Rich outlines a clear framework for developing and executing successful strategies that will enable executives to create sound strategic direction to success. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to improve their strategic thinking and planning skills and taking their leadership to the next level.”
—Shea Uebelhor, Co-Founder, Cayke Table of ContentsIntroduction 1
Navigate Your Business 4
Being Strategic 6
The Unstrategic 7
Strategic Fitness 9
What’s Your Strategic Quotient (SQ)? 11
Trail Blazes 14
Part I Strategy Fitness 17
Chapter 1 Strategy 19
Strategy Is Not 20
GOST Framework 22
Strategy Defined 24
When to Change Strategy 26
3A Strategic Framework 28
Strategy Development 30
Designing a StrategyPrint 34
Trail Blazes 36
Chapter 2 Resource Allocation 39
Reallocation of Resources 43
Discipline to Focus 46
Making Trade- offs 49
Trail Blazes 51
Chapter 3 Decision Making 53
Creating Decision Trees 56
Avoiding Decision Traps 58
Determining Decision Rights 60
Delegation: Lead at Your Level 64
Trail Blazes 68
Chapter 4 Competition 71
Assessing the Competition 72
Competitive Positioning 75
Learning to Differentiate 78
Understanding Competitive Advantage 82
Trail Blazes 86
Part II Leadership Fitness 89
Chapter 5 Leadership 91
Situational Awareness 92
Emotional Intelligence 96
Leadership Philosophy 98
Trail Blazes 101
Chapter 6 Personal Performance 103
Three Principles of Preparation 105
Energy Management 109
Executive Presence 112
Trail Blazes 114
Chapter 7 Mental Toughness 117
Seven Saboteurs of the Mind 118
Mental Training Techniques 119
Nonjudgmental Observation 122
Breaking the Judgment Habit 124
Trail Blazes 126
Chapter 8 Time and Calendar 129
Eliminating Time Traps 130
Three Ways to Monotask 131
Optimizing Email 136
Trail Blazes 137
Part III Organization Fitness 139
Chapter 9 Organizational Foundation 141
Organizational Structures 142
Purpose 143
Mission 143
Vision 145
Values 146
Culture 147
Internal Obstacles 151
Trail Blazes 155
Chapter 10 Business Model 157
Evolving Your Business Model 158
Creating a Value Proposition 161
Mapping a Value Chain 163
Designing the Future State 165
Trail Blazes 171
Chapter 11 Talent and Succession 173
Talent Scorecard 174
Five Talent Traps 175
Succession Planning 177
Trail Blazes 181
Chapter 12 Innovation 183
Insight 184
Solving Challenges 186
Biomimicry 187
Domain Jumping 189
Catalyzing Questions 191
Trail Blazes 194
Part IV Communication Fitness 197
Chapter 13 Strategy Conversations 199
Dialogue 203
Discussion 205
Direction 208
Trail Blazes 211
Chapter 14 Collaboration 213
Enhancing Collaboration 214
Facilitation Framework 218
Trail Blazes 224
Chapter 15 Customers 227
Internal Customers 228
One- on- Ones 229
Managing Up and Laterally 230
External Customers 232
Board of Directors 237
Trail Blazes 239
Chapter 16 Meetings 241
Strategic Meeting Framework 243
Strategic Approach to Meetings 247
Trail Blazes 251
Close 253
Notes 257
About the Author 271
Index 273
