HOW TO FORMULATE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS STRATEGY — A REVIEW OF HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL PUBLICATION

Opara-Eze Tochi
2 min readJan 31, 2023

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For organizations to succeed in today’s rapidly shifting business environment, they need a successful strategic strategy. A Harvard Business School (HBS) report stated that having a strategic plan can help firms in a number of ways, such as by fostering a future-focused vision, highlighting cognitive biases and weaknesses in thinking, and monitoring progress in accordance with strategic objectives.

Setting a purpose from the outset is one of the keys to formulating a successful strategy. This entails determining the organization’s core values, mission, and vision and using them as the basis for all strategic decision-making. Businesses can build a unified vision that drives their actions and keeps them focused on their long-term goals by clearly identifying the purpose of the firm.

Global events are another important factor to consider while developing a strategy. Businesses must be aware of global trends and events that may have an impact on their operations in today’s interconnected world. This encompasses economic, political, and technological advances, as well as changes in consumer behaviour and market conditions. Businesses can anticipate possible obstacles and possibilities by taking these global developments into account and modifying their plans as necessary.

Another critical component of strategy formulation is the establishment and effective communication of goals. Businesses must set attainable goals that are consistent with their overall vision and purpose. They must also successfully communicate these objectives to all stakeholders, including employees, clients, and investors. This makes it easier to make sure that everyone is working toward the same goals and that progress is being made in that direction.

Another significant aspect of strategy formulation is examining data, case studies, and trends. Businesses must take the initiative to collect and analyse data that will help them make strategic decisions. This includes performing market research, studying the competition, and assessing market trends. Businesses can then identify opportunities and dangers and establish plans based on solid evidence and data.

Finally, businesses should view strategy as a continuous process rather than a one-time event. This entails always evaluating and revising their strategies in response to new information and evolving conditions. By being agile and flexible in their approach, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and adapt to changes in the business environment.

In conclusion, following the keys to successful strategy creation — beginning with purpose, evaluating global events, creating and successfully communicating goals, examining data, case studies, and trends, and thinking of strategy as an ongoing process — will help Nigerian businesses thrive in this fast-changing business climate. By implementing these strategies, companies can establish a vision, define specific goals, and continuously adjust to changing conditions, which enables them to remain competitive and succeed over the long term.

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Opara-Eze Tochi

Opara-Eze Tochi is a Data|Business|Financial Analyst and a researcher in the field of business strategy and development.