Do you have a strategy or a plan?

Yes, there’s a difference

Strategic planning is an oxymoron. 

A strategy and a plan are two totally different concepts, and you need both. Our latest Acumen explains why and takes both the long and short view, starting with an excellent short video on what strategy really means (spoiler: it’s not about what you’re going to do). 

Once you’ve nailed your strategy, we’re also sharing our favourite Cadence planning tool — popular because it takes so little time!  — for outlining your shorter-term goals and setting yourself up for success. 

Here’s to your best strategy and the end of “planning the plan”!

CADENCE CURATION

Watch: A Plan Is Not a Strategy | HBR | 10 mins

Creating a plan with goals, initiatives, and budgets is comforting, but it’s also a terrible way to do strategy. In this 10-minute video, leading management thinker Roger Martin explains why. 

If you need to improve your strategy focus, watch Roger explain

• What strategy is (and isn’t) (01:00)

• How strategy beats planning, with real-world examples (04:05)

• How to avoid the planning trap and deal with “strategy angst” (06:33)

CADENCE TOOLKIT

Cadence Tool: The 30-Minute Quarterly Plan

When it comes to shorter-term planning, it’s easy to see the “forward gap” between where you are now and where you want to be. But you can still feel daunted by the steps you need to take.

The 30-Minute Quarterly Plan shifts your mindset with just five questions that lead you to your goals for next quarter. It’s popular at Cadence as the perfect antidote to planning overwhelm — no spreadsheet required!

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Do you ever think you’re expending a lot of energy without making much progress?

Take a breath, watch the strategy video linked above, and complete the Cadence planning tool!