Why Strategy Eats Culture for Breakfast: A Look at Successful Companies
Have you ever wondered how some companies are able to consistently outperform their competitors year after year? It’s not just luck or happenstance that leads to such success. Rather, these companies have a clear strategy in place that guides every decision they make. In fact, they prioritize their strategy over their company culture. This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s a practice that has allowed these companies to achieve great results.
What Is Strategy?
First, it’s important to understand what we mean by “strategy.” A company’s strategy is its plan for achieving its goals. It outlines the specific actions the company will take to succeed over the long term. A good strategy takes into account the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It’s not just a wishful list of things the company hopes will happen; rather, it’s a well thought out plan of action.
Why Is Strategy More Important Than Culture?
Although company culture is important, it’s not enough on its own. Culture can help create a positive environment for employees, but it doesn’t ensure success. In contrast, a well-designed strategy provides a roadmap to guide the company toward its goals. Successful companies have a clear understanding of what they want to achieve and how to get there. They make tough decisions based on what will help them accomplish their key objectives.
Examples of Successful Companies
Let’s take a look at some companies that have put strategy first and achieved great success. Take Amazon, for example. From the beginning, Amazon’s strategy has been to become the “earth’s most customer-centric company.” This has driven everything the company does, from its focus on low prices and speedy delivery to its development of cutting-edge technology, such as its voice assistant, Alexa. By prioritizing this strategy, Amazon has been able to dominate the e-commerce landscape and expand into new markets, such as entertainment and healthcare.
Another example is Apple. Apple’s strategy has always been to create innovative, high-quality products that simplify people’s lives. This has allowed Apple to remain at the forefront of the technology industry for decades. The company has consistently introduced new products that wow consumers and keep them coming back for more.
Conclusion
Ultimately, while company culture is important, it’s not the only key to success. Companies need a clear strategy that guides their decision-making and focuses their efforts. Companies that prioritize their strategy over their culture are those that consistently achieve great results. By taking a page from the playbooks of successful companies like Amazon and Apple, we can learn how to create a winning strategy ourselves.
