p.1 Strategic Thinking describes a state of mind, an attitude
that looks at a given situation and applies a disciplined perspective, an orientation that constantly seeks out opportunities
for improvement and advantage.
p.1 A Strategy is a plan for getting from a point in the present
to a point in the future in the face of uncertainty and resistance. Without uncertainty and resistance, there is
no need for Strategy. Well executed strategy is the ultimate goal of Strategic Thinking. Strategic Thinking
recognizes that all strategies are not created equal, some are superior to others. And it recognizes that even the best strategies
are useless without superior execution.
p.4 "scenarios are not predictions." It is simply not possible to
predict the future with certainty...
Scenarios are vehicles for helping people learn. Unlike
traditional business forecasting or market research, they present alternative images: they do not merely extrapolate the present.
Scenarios allow an organization to
be prepared. "It is," according to Schwartz, "this ability to act with a knowledgeable sense of risk and reward that
separates both the business executive and the wise individual from a bureaucrat or a gambler."
p.5 Constant learning is one of the most distinguishing characteristics
of Strategic Thinking. Learning is the most powerful form of evolution. Constant learning is central to what advancing
civilization is all about. We "seek." It is perhaps our most distinguishing and enduring characteristic as a species.
A constantly changing environment dictates a strong commitment to continuous learning.
It's no accident that some of the most successful
companies in world markets have had long-standing commitments to continuous learning. Hospitals that have found themselves
committed to programs like patient focused care and continuous quality improvement initiatives have found that these commitments
quickly translate into significant investments in education throughout the organization.
"Hunting" is an obsession in Strategic Thinking
organizations. Hunters actively seek out ideas, and then adapt them for their own use. They constantly look everywhere
for things they can steal and apply. They forage far beyond the boundaries of their own industry for new thinking.
