Tell me if you relate to this conundrum: when you have the word “Strategy” in your title or job description, answering the question “𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰?” is sometimes met with glassy eyes or uncertain nods. It usually requires a deep breath 🧘♀️ and some follow up explanation. So, on behalf of those who struggle to crisply define Strategy, let me clarify. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗱𝗼: ⁉ Pontificate on the market or business with no direction or point 😳 Build fancy slides and charts just for fun or to confuse people 🚫Claim or try to solve every one of the myriad issues that can derail a marketing leader’s day 🙅🏻♀️Make recommendations that sit on a (digital) shelf and no one's the wiser 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 (𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀) 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿, 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁, 𝗜 𝗗𝗢: 🔮 Identify insights to reveal how market and consumer dynamics will impact your business over the next 1-5 years 🏢 Find untapped opportunities in your brand foundation, communications, product portfolio, distribution channels, and beyond ⚖Use critical thinking to objectively and credibly voice what you and your smart team might already have been thinking, but need another perspective or data-based rationale to voice 💡Connect disparate dots based on broad and diverse lived experiences And as a result, my clients get: 🙌 Diagnosis and solutions to problems they’ve been unable to solve 🌃 A plan to provide a north star to a frenetic team and mobilize cross functional and executive support 📈 Industry leading concept and product performance metrics 💥Brand positionings that are both relevant and distinct in crowded markets 💭 A prioritized innovation pipeline 🤝 A true thought partner that’s in it for the long haul Got it? Good! If these sound like outcomes you need, Let’s Talk! #brandstrategy #connectingthedots #insighttoimpact
My family still doesn’t know exactly what I do lol —- keep it simple. I put people on TV and in the news 😂
Doesn’t matter the industry people have questions when they hear the word “strategist” in the job title
As someone who used to have "strategy" in her title, I understand! Love your explanation and this pic!
Your clear and insightful explanation of strategic development helps demystify the role and highlights the immense value you bring to your clients and their businesses, Elizabeth.
This clarifies the essence of strategic thinking beyond presentations and buzzwords. The "don't" list is brilliant!
You offer such incredible value and support, Elizabeth! Great photo btw!
It’s challenging because many don’t understand, misuse, consider themselves a Strategic X, or even believe their business has a clear strategy when it doesn’t. You are not just accurately defining but are correcting misconceptions.
Ha, yes! Love this, Elizabeth.
I create organizing strategy, organizing education and programs to disrupt white supremacy culture for social justice organizations, unions and nonprofits.
7moEvery. Day. Every time I say that I work with organizations and campaigns on organizing strategy, I hold my breath, waiting for the person to understand or not understand. The difference between a plan and a strategy is important, but hard to articulate.