Chapter 1. Designing a Strategy

Where do we start to build a strategy? Let's start with a working definition. A strategy is a plan to achieve a goal. Every situation may require different strategies and different plans. However, it is possible to apply a consistent way to design a strategy. The benefit of doing so is that everyone involved learns a consistent language.

In this first chapter I will show you a five-layer strategy framework, developed by global business coaching company Shirlaws (www.shirlaws.com.au). It can be applied to any business issue that you want to understand in greater detail. The five levels are: