molly's search for strategy. a short story about business strategy

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Molly’s Search for Strategy In which Molly doesn’t get very far because nobody seems to know what they’re talking about. A short story by Charles Kingsmill

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Molly’s Search for Strategy. A short story by Charles Kingsmill. In which Molly doesn’t get very far because nobody seems to know what they’re talking about.

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Page 1: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

Molly’s Search for Strategy In which Molly doesn’t get very far because nobody seems to

know what they’re talking about.

A short story by Charles Kingsmill

Page 2: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

Molly was bored, so she went to see Dad. He was surrounded by paper. He looked unhappy. He was reading out loud. “The recommended template for the strategy is laid out in charts 1 to 63 with supporting materials in appendices A to G. What? What?”   “What’s the matter, Dad?” asked Molly.   “I’m cross because I have to write a strategy for work, that’s why. And they don’t even seem to know what a strategy is.”   “I’ll find out, Dad” said Molly.   But Dad had gone back to his papers and his muttering. “Nuts” he was saying. “A slide deck is not a strategy”.

Page 3: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

So Molly went to see Grandma. “What’s a strategy, Grandma?” “Why do you want to know?” asked Grandma. “I want to help Dad” said Molly. “Well, I think you should ask around” said Grandma. So Molly went to see Peacock.

Page 4: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

“Do you know what a strategy is, Peacock?” asked Molly. “My strategy is to grow revenues from £30 million to £50 million” said Peacock, spreading his admittedly beautiful feathers. “And to be recognised as the leading quality supplier in my industry.” Hmm, thought Molly, no mention of how he’s going to achieve it. This is just hubris. And narcissism. “Nuts” announced Molly. “Just wanting to be big and admired is not a strategy.” So she went to see Bull. And Bear.

Page 5: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

“Do you know what a strategy is, Bear or Bull?” asked Molly. “Our strategy is to return to double-digit revenue growth…“ said Bull. “… while at the same time cutting costs…” added Bear. “… thereby increasing profitability to above 15%” finished Bull. Hmm, thought Molly, a P&L forecast. But just because the spreadsheet adds up doesn’t mean that the forecast does. And she sniffed, because she thought she smelled something. “Nuts” concluded Molly. “A financial forecast is not a strategy.” So she went to see Dog.

Page 6: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

“Do you know what a strategy is, Dog?” asked Molly. “I’m doing the right things already; my strategy is to do it better” panted Dog keenly. Hmm, thought Molly, at least Dog is enthusiastic. But anyone can be enthusiastic, and let’s face it, Dog isn’t the smartest toy in the box. “Nuts” snorted Molly. “Trying harder is not a strategy.” So she went to see Chameleon.

Page 7: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

Chameleon was rippling between various gorgeous colours. “Do you know what a strategy is, Chameleon?” asked Molly. “My strategy is to be like the kings of the jungle: Apple, and Google, and Amazon” lisped Chameleon. Hmm, thought Molly, you don’t look like a very convincing king of the jungle to me. You’re really just a chameleon, pretending. “Nuts” decided Molly. “Imitation is not a strategy.” So she went to find Monkey.

Page 8: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

She found Monkey jumping between trees. “Do you know what a strategy is, Monkey?” called Molly. “At our recent strategy retreat, we identified a dozen strategic priorities, underpinned by over one hundred achievable market-facing activities” called Monkey back. Blimey, thought Molly, no wonder you can never sit still. You’ll drive yourself mad. “Nuts” called Molly. “Doing lots of things is not a strategy.” So she went to see Owl.

Page 9: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

“Do you know what a strategy is, Owl?” asked Molly. “My strategy is to optimise returns by disintermediating legacy player relationships in a range of industry adjacencies” hooted Owl. “Pardon?” said Molly. “I’m deleveraging structural competitive horizontality” hooted Owl, impatiently. Hmm, thought Molly, there’s less to this than meets the eye. “Nuts” hooted Molly back. “Jargon is not a strategy.” So she went to see Ostrich.

Page 10: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

Ostrich had his head in the sandpit. “Do you know what a strategy is, Ostrich?” asked Molly. “My strategy is to outperform the market average” came a muffled voice. Hmm, thought Molly, then why are you hiding? How will that help? “Nuts” sniffed Molly. “Disregarding your competitors is not a strategy.” So she went to see Parrot.

Page 11: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

“Do you know what a strategy is, Parrot?” asked Molly. “Our strategy is straight from the gut. It’s to win, dummy!” cawed Parrot. Hmm, thought Molly. That is - by some distance - the stupidest answer I’ve heard today. I’ve had it with this lot. “Nuts” said Molly. “Exhortation is not a strategy.” “A strategy, a strategy, a strategy” cawed Parrot. “STOP SAYING THAT WORD” said Molly. “You don’t know what it means.” And very sadly, she trailed back to see Grandma.

Page 12: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

“Grandma, I didn’t find out what a strategy is” said Molly. “Well, what did you find out?” Molly sighed. “It was really annoying. I found out that nobody else knows either.” “Well, that’s worth knowing in itself, isn’t it?” smiled Grandma. “Touché, Grandmamma. Very clever. But people pretend they know what they’re doing and they don’t. They just don’t. It’s so silly. I just wanted to do something to help Dad, that’s all. I tried and I tried and it was so difficult and no-one had the answer but it was important so I kept trying anyway.” And she started to sniff. So Grandma nestled a little closer.

Page 13: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

“Listen Molly. I think you’ve learned a good lesson today. Sometimes you decide you’re going to be really helpful and valuable to someone… but you don’t know how. So you need a strategy. That means asking people for help and trying out ideas… and maybe nothing seems to work at first… and it’s difficult… but you just keep trying because it’s important. And eventually you figure out just how you’re going to be helpful and valuable. That’s what having a strategy means. Hmm, thought Molly. Hmm. Hmm. “Do you know, Grandma? I think you may have something there.” “Why don’t you go off and tell Dad all about it?” “Okay Grandma” said Molly, smiling again, and off she skipped.

Page 14: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

Editor’s note:

Grandma is of course wrong.

A strategy is the application of co-ordinated resources to a point of leverage to overcome

obstacles in the way of some valuable objective.

Hoot!

Page 15: Molly's Search for Strategy. A short story about business strategy

Charles Kingsmill helps teams to hammer out great business strategies.

Contact:

www.charleskingsmill.com

[email protected]