Question

Strategies by definition, must employ the entire organisation if it is to achieve its long-term goals.Given that today's markets are in constant flux requiring organizations to be nimble if they are to adapt and compete,are strategies even necessary?One could argue that strategies can " shackle" an organization and prevent them from competing successfully in a volatile global economy.Is this position founded? Discuss its merits,provide and defend your position.

Answer 1

Strategies form part of the Strategic management and strategic planning activity. It is not only to achieve long-term goals but the same goals are further divided into short-term achievable targets. Supposing the short-term targets become unachievable, the same are reviewed and revised as the present market flux and accordingly, adjustments are made in the strategies so that it is kept in line with the organizational goals in the long run.

I feel it is hence essential to have definite strategies in place because that gives a roadmap for future. It helps in making the action plans possible. Strategies involve activities such as setting up of objectives and implementation of goals of an Organization by analyzing the internal and external business forces. In this regard, if the external forces in the short-terms make it difficult to implement the strategies, a team can examine those factors and incorporate the scope of strategies accordingly in its plans.

One way to help sail through market inequalities by way of strategies could be by applying the Organizational vision. Vision, when shared with the Organization can help depict the image of the Organization before the stakeholders which includes even the employees who shall be part of the implementation team. Leaders can create a climate of trust and facilitate relationships among people in a work team by establishing certain set of Leadership Values in the Organization that regards to both ethics and job activities if the vision is clear and is jointly shared by the members of the Organization. This shall hence contribute in the overall efforts of the Organization and its members and vouch for success of any process improvement strategic plan. Vision helps in fostering climate of trust and relationship in the organization when shared. Adding more to it, when the vision of the end result is stated to the team, it gives the team a clear idea of how to undertake an activity and channelize their efforts towards a particular target. In case of market flux, vision can facilitate the organizations to come up with alternate strategies that can cater the market changes to the extent possible. Also, in order to measure a process improvement in the strategic plan, comparison is essential to mark out the improvement in the process and early actions could be taken to adapt the organization’s activities to market factors.

Strategies shall further be necessary to create a type of culture that promotes the prevention, identification and resolution of issues associate with risk by undertaking suitable steps in the process. Appropriateness would also require in the management of the Strategic risks wherein those risks could be appropriately undertaken by the Organization willingly with the view to win some strategic advantage over others in the market, especially in the times of market flux. Hence, strategies are forever essential for both, survival and growth of an organization. Thus cannot be compromised.