Comments on: How Big the Big Picture?

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:32:52 +0000

Thanks for visiting, Wally. “Strategic concept” is very interesting. Have you written anything on it? I’d love to learn more.

By: Wally Bock

Wally Bock — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:56:26 +0000

I like your take on BHAG, Doug. For many companies, the idea is that “audacious and huge” are good all by themselves. And the BHAGs described in Built to Last, where the term originated were more tactics than strategies.

I just worked on a study of companies that have been successful for decades. One thing that jumped out at us was that they all had a strategy that was not a plan, but a simple concept. Wal-Mart, whom you used as an example, pursued a simple strategy that might be summed up as “Deliver everyday low prices to customers through increasingly effective purchasing and operational efficiency.”

What I’ve come away with is that the entire concept of “strategic plan” might be a relic of earlier ages. What most great businesses seem to have is a strategic concept that defines how they compete and how they make money and a variety of tactics.

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:50:52 +0000

Thanks for your comments, Beverly, and thanks for visiting!

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:48:43 +0000

Thanks for your comments, Susan, and thanks for checking out my blog!

Doug

By: Beverley McClure

Beverley McClure — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:53:44 +0000

Great perspective on BHAG. I like to start with a vision of where we want to be in X years, then work backwards to determine what needs to be in place today, tomorrow, etc, to make that vision a reality. Makes it more real and actionable.

Beverley McClure
Fresh Perspectives LLc

By: Susan Mazza

Susan Mazza — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:53:05 +0000

Excellent post Doug. I too have seen this concept misapplied as seems to happen with so many concepts that “catch on”. While the notion of a BHAG is about realizing extraordinary possibility, all too often when a BHAG is revealed by the executive team it is perceived to be a pipe dream by the very people who are called upon to execute. While the job of the executive team in casting the vision involves a great deal of enrollment in the vision as a real possibility, it seems to me the BHAG’s that emerge “from the core of a company’s values and aspirations” as you put it are the only ones that people can truly get behind with both their hearts and minds.

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:40:05 +0000

Joanne, thanks so much for your comment!

Doug

By: Joanne Maly

Joanne Maly — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:15:53 +0000

Doug,

Your acronym captures well my memories of many management team directives for long-term ‘vision’ planning, reports and off-site retreats. While these initiatives can undeniably provide some value, too frequently, the result of these efforts is yet another ‘great plan in a binder on shelves filled with great plans in binders.’

I will now have some back-up support if I need to decline participation in any (i.e., Big Hairy Audacious Goal) initiatives.

Thank you for your helpful post today.

Joanne Maly

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:12:49 +0000

Thank you, Mike. Your kind words are really appreciated.

Doug

By: Mike Henry Sr.

Mike Henry Sr. — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:30:21 +0000

Doug,

This is a great post. So much of the published leadership thought can actually cause more harm than good. Nice post.

Mike…