Business strategy is the plan of action that a company follows to achieve its goals and objectives in a competitive market. It involves making decisions about how to create value for the customers, employees, and suppliers, as well as how to allocate resources and gain a competitive advantage. A good business strategy is essential for a company’s success, as it guides the direction and scope of the organization.
There are different levels and types of business strategies, depending on the size, scope, and nature of the business. Some common examples are:
– Corporate level strategy: This is the overall direction and purpose of the company, such as whether to diversify, acquire, or merge with other businesses, or enter new markets or industries.
– Business level strategy: This is the specific way that a business unit competes in its market, such as whether to focus on cost leadership, differentiation, or niche segments.
– Functional level strategy: This is the operational plan that supports the business level strategy, such as how to optimize the marketing, finance, human resources, or production functions.
To formulate a business strategy, a company needs to define its vision, set its top-level objectives, analyse its business and the market, define how to gain a competitive advantage, and build a strategy framework. The strategy should be aligned with the company’s mission, values, and culture, and should be flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions and opportunities.
A business strategy can be measured by various indicators, such as customer satisfaction, market share, profitability, growth, innovation, and social impact. A company should regularly monitor and evaluate its strategy performance and make adjustments as needed to improve its results and achieve its goals.