Strategic thinking is the process of understanding the fundamental drivers of a business and creatively challenging conventional ideas to develop unique opportunities for value creation. It is distinct from strategic planning, which is a structured method for setting business goals and defining steps to achieve them. Key benefits of strategic thinking include uncovering value opportunities, challenging assumptions, and aligning strategies with business objectives.

1. STRATEGIC THINKING & PLANNING

2. What is Strategic Thinking?
“Strategic Thinking is a way of understanding the fundamental
drivers of a Business and rigorously (and playfully)
challenging conventional thinking about them.”
Focuses on finding and developing unique opportunities to
create value for the organization
Takes into account: Products & offerings, Markets,
Clients/Customers, Competitors, and Suppliers.
Input to strategic planning

3. What is Strategic Thinking?
Strategic Non-Strategic
 Broad view with zoom in
 Abstract with powerful
engagement of the imagination
 Abstraction illustrated with
concrete examples
 Important, non-intuitive,
framework breaking ideas
 Embraces alternatives and
uncertainties
 Aims to achieve an overarching
goal
 Narrow view
 Concrete with no engagement
of the imagination
 Concrete illustration only
 Generally understood ideas
that fit within a consensus
framework
 Embraces neither alternatives
nor uncertainties
 Focuses on supporting goals

4. What is Strategic Thinking?
The process of Strategic Thinking must ensure that business
strategies are:
 Aligned: fit with business’s Mission, Vision, Competitive
Situation, and Operating Strategies
 Goal-orientated: strategies’ outcomes must linked with
business’s goals
 Focused: points out exactly what should be prioritized
 Implementable

5. Benefits of Strategic Thinking
 Uncovers potential opportunities for creating values
 Challenges assumptions about an organization’s value
proposition
 Help with understanding the fundamental drivers of a
business & challenging conventional thinking about them
 Raises awareness of what needs to be done

6. Pre-Strategic Planning
Before commencing on Strategic Planning:
1. Understand the WHY – why you are in business in the
first place
2. Define your Vision (Vision Statement and Mission
Statement)
3. Set your Goals for the Business
4. Set your SMART objectives

7. Strategic Planning
“Strategic planning is a structured process of thinking about
and writing down where you are, where you want to be, and
how to get there.”

8. Don’t get confused!
Strategic Thinking is different from Strategic Planning.
Strategic Thinking should be a continual habit,
while Strategic Planning should be a recurring
exercise.

9. Questions, Comments or Clarification?
Contact: Maverick Mentoring For Business
Email:
peter@maverickmentoringforbusiness.com.au
Phone: 61 3 9005 8275