Organizational strategies. of necessity, include strategic planning. This can be an overused and sometimes misunderstood business term. Strategic planning includes a hard look at the organization itself and whether or not it has the resources to meet objectives. It also includes an organizational assessment. These are critical to meeting the goals of a company: What do we do? Who do we do it for? How do we do it better than any competition? Answers to these questions require a hard organizational assessment including a review of a company’s vision, mission, values and the consequent development of a strategy to meet the goals.
Business Development strategies involve defining channels to reach target customers, the plan to develop or expand markets, and planning and execution for the maximization of current customer relationships. OEM and technology partners are thoroughly assessed and clear objectives are outlined. This process establishes the direction of each of the subsequent areas.
Product strategy includes market assessments, technology planning, a product roadmap and a product plan to execute that roadmap. This step is critical in that product launch strategies evolve from this step, but should not dictate it. Time critical products can derail the overall plan. Careful consideration must be taken to make certain that quality is not sacrificed for speed. Product launch details must be the most significant part of the marketing and sales strategies.
Marketing strategies involve long and short term brand development and positioning. The fact of the World Wide web’s influence on a brand’s success is unimpeachable. The web site look and feel will set the expectations of the market for the brand. Press, trade show and social media strategies are included in these considerations. Marketing strategy also involves the development of effective internal communication which is often overlooked.
Sales strategies define the execution of achieving the organizational goals. Developing enthusiastic and competent sales teams with a hunger to achieve high standards and rapid growth requires a patient and thorough development of a candidate pool. The easiest task is hiring the wrong person for the role. The most difficult is not only finding the right one, but letting the wrong one go.