Thinking and acting strategically

Abstract

After reading this chapter you will be able to:

• understand and explain the difference between strategic thinking,strategic management and strategic planning

• define strategic thinking, strategic management and strategic planning

• choose which strategic activity is appropriate under different circumstances

• understand the difference between entrepreneurship and management and recognize different mixes of the two in strategy making

Strategic thinking involves the integration of several types of mental skills and techniques, as well as certain habits and attitudes, in the context of defining the problem to be solved from an initially ambiguous sea of unconnected data, and then solving it. There is an element of risk in strategic problem solving because complexity causes uncertainty. (LOEHLE, 1996: 1)

Great strategies, like great works of art or great scientific discoveries, call for technical mastery in the working out but originate in insights that are beyond the reach of conscious analysis. (OHMAE cited in de Wit and Meyer, 1998: 94)

Creativity cannot be taught, but it can be learned. (OHMAE cited in de Wit and Meyer, 1998: 100)