Strategic and Tactical Approaches In Home-Based Business
In basic terms, strategic refers to the "what and why" and
tactical refers to the "how." Both methodologies are critical to
your business success.
Strategic thinking, planning, and actions reflect your ability
to take into account the big picture, to recognize patterns and
trends, foresee issues, predict outcomes, and have smart "Plan
B's" to fall back on.
Strategic issues deal with mission and purpose - why your
business exists, how it makes a difference, and where it will be
in the future. Tactical refers to the hands-on part of getting
the job done, making sure the strategic goals are met. Tactical
procedures consist of performing tasks with quality and
competence. How are you currently balancing these two approaches
in your business? Are you buried in details and day-to-day
deadlines or are you able to focus your thinking and actions
from a larger, deeper perspective?
Take a good look at almost any struggling home-based business
owner and the first thing you'll discover is many of them work
long hours. They get caught up in trying to be and do everything
on their own and often find themselves on a treadmill that
doesn't stop running.
Their dream of creating freedom and prosperity is quickly
quashed when they assume all of the responsibilities required.
Instead of focusing on building the business, they appoint
themselves bookkeeper, salesperson, marketing expert,
receptionist, customer service rep, cleaning staff, computer
tech, etc.
Many struggling home-based business owners are operating at a
"tactical" level instead of a "strategic" one and this is where
overwhelm, frustration, stunted growth and eventual failure
cultivate.
Many new entrepreneurs don't understand the importance of a
strategic plan and the need to outsource, delegate, automate and
discard certain activities that take them away from building the
business.
If you feel like you're being buried by the details of
day-to-day operations, the first step is to ask yourself, "Am I
working "on" my business or "in" it?" Have you merely created
another job for yourself? If you're focusing more on the "how",
you've created a job for yourself by working tactically.
If you can honestly say you are focusing the majority of your
attention on the bigger picture and from a larger perspective,
and are focused more on the "what and why", you are operating
strategically.
Again, both approaches are important, however, as the business
owner, you want to focus your attention on building, designing,
planning and acting in ways that support the BIG picture.
If you're stuck on how to proceed strategically and uncertain
about how to leverage your time more efficiently, partner with a
coach, mentor or trusted advisor to help you get clear on what
you really want for your business so you can develop a success
plan.
Running a profitable home-based business can be fun and easy
once you learn how to leverage your time properly, function
strategically, and by surrounding yourself with skilled people
who are as committed to your success as you are.