Just what do you think you’re doing, Dave?

I often find myself explaining to potential clients how Visionex can help with both short-term and long-term needs. A great movie analogy comes in handy.

I like to use the “Progression to Self-Awareness” discussion. Yes, it’s a reference to HAL in “2001: a Space Odyssey,” and it helps relate how successful businesses should be more like this fictional tale. (I hope that it’s still fictional!)

This analogy* is useful as I believe ALL companies should spend time thinking strategically. Unfortunately, too many are stuck in “firefighting” mode.

Too many have a very short vision based simply on the fiscal calendar. The result is that the only time spent developing strategy is when the next fiscal calendar is coming due. The extent of this “strategy” is a mere 12 months.

So, here’s an example showing how clients who approach Visionex with tactical needs often end up progressing to more strategic thinking the longer we work together.

• We need your immediate help! (“I’m being sued” or “I want to patent an invention.”)
• What are our known competitors up to these days?
• Who are our unknown competitors?
• Work with our R&D team in the early phase (Vet inventions and R&D in the concept stage).
• What are our unknown competitors up to these days?
• How do we stay up-to-date with our competitors, technology/IP/market space?
• Help us predict where the market and my competitors are headed in the next few years.
• What opportunities will be available to us in a couple of years?
• What disruptive, emerging and adjacent technologies should we be aware of?
• Where do we need to position ourselves in 15 years?
• How do we develop a process to manage our planned growth and innovation that will keep us on track for meeting our 15-year goals?

This list certainly isn’t comprehensive and it could be argued that some of these points should be re-ordered. (Strategies viewed in the rear-view mirror may appear to be smaller than the tactical problems in front of you.)

*Movie disclaimer: No companies were [intentionally] harmed in the writing of this blog.

 

Photo credit: Cryteria (Wikimedia)