This document discusses different levels of strategy - operational, business, and finance strategies. It defines strategy and outlines four common ways it is used: as a plan, pattern of actions, position in the market, and organizational perspective/vision. Strategy is developed through assessing internal/external contexts, evaluating alternatives, and creating a strategic plan. The levels must be aligned for success. Barriers to goals include failure to assess risks, bad planning, and untimely actions. Developing strategies involves considering options and selecting the best approach.

1. A T A
Strategy made simple
Ata D. Nazer
Strategist
atanazer@outlook.com

2. A T A
The First Step - definitions
Strategy levels
How do we develop a strategy?
Articulating successful strategies
Summary
The end

3. A T A
Building Business
Is about understanding and choosing the
right…...

4. A T A
The Definition of Strategy
Thefreedictionary.com
1) the science or art of planning and directing large-scale military
movements and operations.
2) the use of or an instance of using this science or art.
3) the use of a stratagem (tactic, trick, maneuver).
4) a plan or method for achieving a specific goal: a strategy for
getting ahead in the world.
Oxforddictioneries.com
1) A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim
2) The art of planning and directing overall military operations and
movements in a war or battle

5. A T A
The Concept of Strategy
• The concept of strategy has been borrowed from the military
and adapted for use in business
• In business, as in the military, strategy bridges the gap
between policy and tactics
• Strategy and tactics bridge the gap between goals and
resources

6. A T A
The Use of the Term Strategy
Henry Mintzberg, in his 1994 book, The Rise and Fall of Strategic
Planning [3], points out that people use "strategy" in several
different ways, the most common being these four:
• Strategy is a plan, a "how," a means of getting from here to
there.
• 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 is position; that is, it reflects decisions to offer
particular products or services in particular markets.
• Strategy is perspective, that is, vision and direction.

7. A T A
Withdraw
Defend
Attack
If it is a war strategy

8. A T A
STRATEGY LEVELS
Part I

9. Three Strategy Level
The Operational
Strategy
The Business
Strategy
The Finance Strategy

10. Essentials of Strategy Levels
Business Operational Finance
 What products?
 What markets?
 What tactics?
 What
resources?
 What quality?
 What
promotion?
 What resources
to deploy?
 When to
deploy?
 What
technology?
 What facilities?
 Initial funding
 Growth finance
 Expansion
Capital
 Asset
Management
 Exit/Cash Out

11. A T A
Alignment of Strategy Levels
Must be realistically
developed taking into account
the operational capabilities
Business
It must support all the business
strategies to achieve revenue
and profit targets
Operational
If the investment strategy is
not in synchronization the
company will fail
Finance

12. HOW DO WE DEVELOP A
STRATEGY?
Part II

13. Four steps in to developing your strategy
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Assess External Context
Assess the Internal Context
Evaluate your strategic alternatives
Develop your
strategic plan

14. Opportunity
• Demand is growing at
15%
• Market entry is costly
Threats
• Our main competitor is
aggressively promoting
• Customers not paying on
time
Strength
• Patented product
• We have cash
• Superior quality
Weakness
• We do not have an IT
system
• Our salesforce is not
well trained
Use SWOT Analysis

15. Strategy Development
MonitoringActivitiesDefineAssessment - IAssessment - E
How are we
doing?
How we will
get there?
Where do we
want to go?
Where are we
today?
Where have we
come from?
Progress
Review
Measure
Performance
Vision/ MissionChallengesEnvironment
Performance
Measurement
Targets and
Standards
GoalsSituationMarket
Analysis
Corrective
Actions
InitiativesOptionsCapabilitiesSituational
Analysis
Balanced Score
Card
PlanStrategyGap AnalysisMarket Forces

16. A T A
Strategy Types
Some Examples
1. Marketing Strategy
2. Supply Chain Strategy
3. HR Strategy
4. Sales Strategy
5. IT Strategy
6. Operational Efficiency
7. R&D Strategy
8. Procurement Strategy

17. A T A
ARTICULATING SUCCESSFUL
STRATEGIES
Part III

18. A T A
How does your landscape looks like?

19. A T A
Failure to assess risks
Bad planning
Untimely actions
3 barriers to goal achievement…

20. A T A
You Are Not Alone
There are others who can
play the game just as good
or better
CONS
Do not just see yourself and
what you can do

21. A T A
5
You have
many options
You need to
evaluate each
one
…and select
the best

22. A T A
Examples of goals that need strategy
• Going to the supermarket
• Travelling abroad for a summer vacation
• Buying a car
• Introducing a new potato chips product
• Introducing a new software
• Becoming a market leader

23. A T A
Summary
Each time you have a goal you
need a strategy
Assess Environment
Evaluate Options &
Select your strategies
Plan & Execute

24. A T A
The most critical factor to consider – the end
Your ability to translate
customer requirements
into your
product/service
deliverable

25. Withdraw
Defend
Attack
If it is a war strategy

26. Questions
around the
discussion
?