Technique 2.17 Some Strategy Questions
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Introduction
To help identify a sense of urgency, the questions are framed to make you think more about working "on" your business rather than just "in" your business.
Questions
1 a What vision, purpose and values are currently embodied in your organisation?
b Are you moving decisively toward realizing that vision?
c If not, what would move you in that direction?
2 a What is the most dramatic trend which affects your industry?
b Are you part of the trend?
c If not, should you be part of the trend?
3 a What are the 3 major changes shaping your industry over the next 5 to 10 years?
bIn what ways are you positioning your organisation to participate in these changes?
4 a What are the most glaring weaknesses of your organisation?
B How are you going to redress them?
5 a What are the key needs of your major stakeholders (customers, employees, shareholders, etc)?
b How are these needs being served?
6 a What is happening to other industries that could be adapted to your business and your product/service?
7 a What business are you really in?
b Should you focus only on this business?
c Can you create additional value focused on this business only?
8 a If you could do absolutely anything in your industry, what would it be?
b Are you doing that now? If not, why not?
9 If you were starting from scratch, what would you do first?
10 What is your vision of the next 5 years?
11 a What is the gap between your 5-year vision for the organisation and where you are now?
b What can be done to close the gap?
12 a What, specifically, would make your company "better" than it is now (more profitable, greater revenues, improved product/services, more value to the customer, employer of choice, etc)
b What would make your product/service 10% better than anything in your market?
13 a What actions could you take today which would double your profits in 24 months?
b How about in 12 months?
c What is stopping you from taking actions, now?
d What is the best way for you to take these actions, now?
14 a What are the 3 things you would really like to do which would make a significant difference to your organisation?
b What is stopping you and why?
15 a What is the most important thing you have to offer your customers?
b Why is it so important to you?
c Why is it so important to your customers?
16 a What are the most important reasons people buy your product/service? Rank the reasons in order of importance with 1 as the most important?
b How can you improve their ranking?
17 Why would you like people to buy your product/service?
18 a In your wildest fantasies, what do you want people to be able to say about your organisation and product/service?
b What is necessary for people to be able to say that?
19 a What do you think is missing from your product/service?
b What would make your product/service really amazing?
20 a What are your competitors doing that "blows your mind"?
b What are your competitors doing that "blows your customers' minds?
c What should your competitors be doing that would "blow your mind"?
d What should you be doing about that?
21 a What product/service have your customers asked for but nobody is currently supplying?
b What are you going to offer and/or do to handle this situation?
(source: Gary Delbridge, 2004)
