Firms often rely on strategy documents to guide their actions, but these often fail to inspire or engage employees. Instead, they should aim to create a ‘strategy story’ that can be shared and understood by all. This story should be simple, relatable, and have a clear narrative arc. It should also be flexible enough to be adapted to different contexts and audiences.
The first step in creating a strategy story is to identify a protagonist. This could be the company, a customer, or a product. Next, the story should present a challenge that the protagonist must overcome. This challenge should be significant and relatable, creating a sense of urgency and engagement.
The story should then outline a proposed solution to the challenge. This solution should be presented in a way that is easy to understand and compelling. It should also be clear about the actions that need to be taken, and by whom.
Lastly, the strategy story should conclude with a vision of success. This vision should be inspiring and achievable, giving employees a clear goal to work towards. By creating a strategy story, firms can ensure their strategy is understood and acted upon by all. Remember, a good strategy story is not just a tool for communication, but a tool for action.
Go to source article: https://hbr.org/2014/04/forget-the-strategy-powerpoint/