Heads or Tails? Strategy Requires More Than a Coin Flip

By Stephen Garchow

Strategic decision-making is an important competency for today's business organizations. Yet, many implement suboptimal strategic decisions because of haphazard decision approaches that subject leadership teams to poor strategic issue framing, inadequate key factor identification, laborious data collection, and detrimental group dynamics. Companies that make sound strategic decisions establish a foundation for future success. This book is a focused, practical guide introducing the Lean Strategic Decision Model (LSDM). LSDM is designed to improve strategic decision effectiveness and efficiency using a simple 9-step process. After defining terms specific to LSDM, the book presents the model using a fictional case study, which exposes the reader to the entire model. Using an approach intended to encourage the reader to examine their own personal biases about strategic decisions, Chapter 3 examines the myths and realities about strategic decision-making. Chapter 4 investigates organizational behavior research into decision-making and explains how these findings affect the design of an optimal strategic decision process. Chapter 5 introduces the Lean Strategic Decision Model and explains it benefits and the advantages over other strategic decision processes. Chapter 6 introduces the template used for LSDM, called the Lean Strategic Decision Model Canvas. Each component of the Canvas is explained. Evaluating simple strategic issues using the Canvas is also covered. Chapter 7 walks the reader through the entire 9 step process, examining important considerations for each step. Chapter 8 examines approaches for developing and evaluating an LSDM Canvas for more complex strategic decisions. It introduces additional tools that will assist the reader in evaluating these complex issues. Chapter 9 presents two real-life case studies that demonstrate the value of LSDM for unique business situations. Chapter 10 closes the book by explaining how you can determine whether your company needs to implement a strategic decision process like LSDM. Appendix A contains a list of criteria that companies can use as a guide for establishing a Canvas that will address their unique business situation. Appendices B - F are blank forms that can be used by companies to implement LSDM. Appendix G provides additional information that can help companies select the correct factors for analyzing their strategic issue.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1505478308
• ISBN13: 9781505478303
• Release Date: March 2015
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 162 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.4" x 6.0"