Get-Who|To|by Framework: How Strategy Cultivates Ideas
Does your strategy tell you what to do next?
Does it give you ideas?
Or does it leave you wondering “what’s next?” like some of these?
To be the best in the industry.
To maximize shareholder value.
To be the go-to brand for everyone everywhere.
To be a global leader.
A strategy that doesn't drive ideas and generate ideas is only the mirage of a strategy—promising from a distance but offering no real substance at closer inspection. It’ll leave you wandering and grasping for help.
But a strong strategy should spark plenty of supporting ideas. In fact, lots of them…
Big ideas.
Little ideas.
Ideas from you.
Ideas from others.
Structural ideas.
People ideas.
Product ideas.
Partnership ideas.
Marketing ideas.
Creative ideas.
But for a strategy to spark ideas, it should be easy to understand. If it can't convey the big idea in a sentence or two, your teams will get lost in a fog of confusion.
The Get|Who|To|By Framework:
The Get|Who|To|By Framework can help shape your strategy so it can be explained quickly. The structure works like this:
But remember, frameworks don't magically make strategy easy. It still takes the hard work of research and analysis. If there are holes in your logic, your teams will point out fallacies, or they just won’t generate ideas. This is a red flag you shouldn’t ignore.
Here are some applications of the Get|Who|To|By Framework…
Strategic sparks:
Pick any one of the examples above, and you shouldn't find it difficult to generate an idea or two. Those ideas could be creative, messaging, or channel ideas. Or, if these were top-level anchor strategies (they’re not—more on that another day), you could start to envision structure, management, or product ideas.
There are many factors that signal whether a strategy is good or bad. However, the quantity of good ideas should be a significant signal you’re on the right path. A well-crafted strategy doesn't merely provide direction; it ignites the creative spark in your teams. It's crucial to ensure that your strategy is clear, concise, and inspiring to set the stage for success.
