STRATEGY

Organizational strategy is a bit like the heartbeat of a company—it’s what keeps everything aligned and pumping toward a shared purpose. To me, the best definition is: Organizational strategy is the coordinated set of plans and actions that defines how a company organizes its people, resources, and processes to achieve its overarching goals and adapt to its environment.

It’s less about the external “where we compete” (that’s more business strategy’s turf) and more about the internal “how we make it work.” Think of it as the playbook for wiring the organization—its structure, culture, and systems—so it can deliver on the big-picture vision.

Defining “business strategy” can feel like pinning down a cloud—it shifts depending on who’s looking at it. To me, the best definition is simple yet meaty enough to cover the essentials: Business strategy is a clear, actionable plan that guides a company to achieve its long-term goals by leveraging its strengths, addressing challenges, and making smart choices about where to compete and how to win.

It’s not just a vague mission statement or a pile of spreadsheets—it’s the roadmap that says, “This is where we’re going, and here’s how we’ll get there.” Think of it as the game plan a coach draws up: it’s about positioning your team (the business) to outplay the competition, adapt to the field (market conditions), and score points (profit, growth, impact).