Think of each of the four lenses – Social/Cultural, Human, Technological, and Financial – as just that, a different lens through which to view the four fundamental strategy questions. Each lens provides a different and important point of view to consider as you’re crafting your response to the questions. Let’s look at each lens.
To begin, please click on Social/Cultural in the outer ring.
In “Roadmaps and Revelations” Sydney begins his explanation of this lens to Rory by saying: “You’ve got to start with the heart.” When debating the strategy questions, and proposing possible answers, ask yourself which alternative(s) resonate most with your passion as an organization. For example, during the strategy creation process you may consider changing your focus in question one (What Propels Us Forward?) from customers and markets to sales and distribution channels. However, if you have a long and successful tradition of working closely with your customers, something you as an organization feel passionately about, you’d better be certain that making the change will lead to greater success because you’ll be overriding what resides in the hearts of your people, and that’s a powerful motivator.
Plain and simple, what are the human ramifications of your strategy decisions? When you decide upon a certain strategic course, what will that mean in terms of the skills and capabilities you require in order to execute that strategy? Will you need to invest in training, consulting, or new hires? Be ruthlessly realistic about what your choices entail through the human lens.
Will your strategic choices require new enabling technology? Or, what impact will your strategy have on existing technologies you employ. Technology touches every organization in every industry, and thus must be carefully considered as you navigate your strategic choices. This lens also impacts the others; new technology may require new skills (the Human lens), may challenge long-held assumptions about the best and right way to do things (Social/Cultural lens), and will have an impact on finances (Financial lens).
You can’t overlook the financial ramifications when making strategic decisions. Each choice will undoubtedly entail the allocation of resources, for example your new strategy may require updated skills training (a cost in the Human lens), or commit you to an extensive communications campaign (the Social/Cultural lens). Are you willing (or able) to make the financial investments necessary to start down this new path? And, of course on the opposite side of the ledger each decision must be regarded in the light of the potential revenue and profit you expect to garner from your new strategy.
Those are the lenses through which you should consider each of the four fundamental strategy questions.
