
Having a strategy inside a strategy even works on the inside of a company. Paul Oneil the CEO who engineered the historic turn around of the giant aluminum manufacturer Alcoa, had a strategy inside of a strategy. Paul knew that the poor employee safety record was something everyone from the union and management could agree needed fixing. But what he also knew was that the same new habits that he established for safety could be used to improve communication, processes and products and ignite collaboration across the entire company. (See "the Power of Habit" Charles Duhigg). Even the ancient story of the trojan horse was an example of winning the battle because the enemy didn't see the horse as a threat but as a gift.
If you can differentiate your product or service enough to make it look like a different product than your competitors, then you might be able to avoid a costly fight and go unnoticed as you gain customers and market share. And remember, just like a product life cycle that has a birth, growth to maturity and an end so does a strategy. So, keep your strategy fresh and hidden from competitors but clear to your team.
By: Kevin Minne
InnovationGrowthSystems.com
720-354-0291