Dear Rubi

Rubi Says…

Dear EcoDev:

I feel your pain. Glad you didn’t ask Marc Benioff - he’d have laughed you off the continent.

Look at strategy with a small-s. What do I mean by that?

It fits in the space that traditionally was occupied by tactics. Small-s strategy is a set of processes and tools that are embedded in a way of working that fills in the gaps that consistently cause strategy failure.

It’s the difference between a symphony performance and a jazz concert.

A symphony works with a score that is highly crafted. The conductor and orchestra rehearse to shape the music and bring out what the composer captured in the score.

Jazz relies on a strong, clear rhythm structure with a set melody. The musicians create the ways and means that make up the piece as a whole.

In both cases the talent of the players matters, but it’s used in different ways to ‘create’ the piece of music.

Use small-s strategy to ‘aim and adjust.’ Revisit ideas as a matter of practice. Complex executions are critical issues - not pesky details.

Get yourself some jazz, Eco.

Sincerely,
Rubi