BUSI 770 Liberty University Deciding on the Strategic Direction Discussion-hw.pdf

This week we will explore the process, necessary analysis, and key decision points related to setting the

direction of the organization. The strategy text by Gamble, Petraf & Thompson will provide an overview

to selecting the best path forward, while the Rumelt text of the process and key decision points related

will focus more on the underlying thought process. ‘The Decision Book’ by Krogerus & Tschappeler will

ller text give you an opportunity to evaluate if and/or how your decision models are changing, and the Ke

.will provide a solid Biblical worldview

Discussion Board Template

I usually receive questions on how to do the Discussion posts and how to include

Introduction

The use of machine learning data has proven valuable in many firms such as 1-800-flowers and

Amazon to learn about the internal and external functions of the organization. However, more

recently, the effective use of machine learning has also been demonstrated in strategic decision

making. An organization that can effectively move from strategy to execution will be the firms

that are the most competitive and sustainable. Machine learning through data also creates an

alignment of the power of design of the strategic decision making and the power of force in the

organization. In other words, the power is not mutually exclusive but builds upon each other to

strengthen the organization. Many decision making models are available to the strategist to use

in the development of strategies, regardless of which framework is selected, having the power of

several considerations that must be reflected about related to self-appraisal of the organization,

managerial tasks to achieve and level of quality of the data related to key performance

indicators. The understanding of the organization’s ability to execute requires an honest review

of capabilities.

According to Connell (2019) much of the honest review of capabilities must focus on areas that

reduce the gap between actionable strategic steps to organizational

performance. Connell suggests that there are some reference points that can assist the strategist

to complete the self-evaluation of the firm. The first reference point is to understand the value

proposition that the firm creates for the customer. Connell further defines the value proposition

as including the customer experience and promises made to customers and how well the

characteristics of the staff including their capabilities and competencies. The final reference

point to consider is understanding the milestones created and how best to measure success or

failure to achieve (Connell).

ensuring a plan to effectively allocate resources to achieve the strategies and establish a

performance reward system that continues to energize the organization as steps are

achieved. Gamble et al., Connell and Anonymous (2018) all share that there is an importance of

ensuring that design of strategies and the implementation of the strategies have measurability in

the metrics. To achieve the most impactful and timely way to ensure the power of design of the

strategic plan and the power of focus is to have timely, consistent and understandable data. One

solution to achieve both design power while remaining focused is the use of machine learning

strategies.

Strategic Thinking: Power of Design vs. Power of Focus

Based on the report by Anonymous (2019), this student would assert that the concepts of power

of design and power of focus are not mutually exclusive in strategic decision making. In other

correct.

Connell (2019) shares that the power of focus closes the gaps required for strategic

implementation by assessing the design of the business and continuously reviewing the literal

machine learning knowledge. Anonymous (2019) shares that “with more forward-looking KPIs,

progressive leaders can treat strategic measures as high-octane data fuel for training machine-

learning algorithms to optimize business processes” (p. 3).

Decision Model Key Decision Traps to Avoid

Achieving the most effective and efficient ability to achieve stellar strategies requires the

strategist to avoid decision models that do not foster an awareness of how to win versus

competition Connell (2019). The traps to avoid in selecting the decision model is to ensure the

model effectively accounts for the external environments. Connell asserts the model must

inform about the external to know how to “raise or lower costs, affect your customers’ choices,

and contribute to the gap between strategy and execution” (p. 3). Connell further asserts that the

“strategy can’t be static; it can’t be calendar-driven. Although there are annual, calendar-

have the ability to drill down to see underlying KPI data” (p. 3) and that the machine learning

data can outfit leaders in the firm to review and report on KPI reports frequently. Keller

The future of business competition and maximizing the power of force and the design of the

strategies can be achieved through machine learning. Machine learning data is proactive in

nature and requires leaders to adjust and course correct in a timely manner to ensure the longer-

term strategies achieve the intents. Choosing the decision making model is less critical than

assuring the model that is selected is able to account for the KPI data to move the organization

from low competitor to high-octane competitor.

References

Anonymous (2018). Improving strategic execution with machine learning. (2018). MIT Sloan

Connell, C. M. (2019). Women CEOs on making strategy happen. Strategic Direction, 35(7), 1-

Gamble, J., Peteraf, M., & Thompson, A. (2019), Essentials of strategic management, McGraw -

Summary of Key Points

Implementing strategic plans requires a continual understanding of the intent of the

actions and reflection of key metrics to ensure success. If success is questioned or changes in the

external or internal environments change, strategists must effectively reassess and adjust as

necessary. While the article does not fully meet the rigor that one would assess is needed for

inclusion as a peer-reviewed journal, the details are helpful to consider as points of reference.

Evaluation of the Quality of the Publication

Strategic Direction is an essential management information resource for today's strategic

thinkers. As a unique service, the journal scans through the best 400 management journals in the

a business magazine which rates the quality less than other publications in the research field.

Evaluation of the Quality of the Author(s)

Carol M. Connell is a professor and consultant on strategic management, and she has focused on

the activities that are necessary for leaders to create effective strategy and to execute

Where this fits into the discussion

Discussion in the article includes information related to the importance of execution,

playing to win, reassessing strategy and pitfalls to consider and address as strategies are

implemented.

Anonymous (2018). Improving strategic execution with machine learning. (2018). MIT Sloan

Summary of Key Points

The need to ensure that strategic actions are moving an organization forward in terms of

productivity and performance requires the use of data. The author discusses that machine

learning can help build the internal competencies of the organization to learn from automated

key performance indicators that guide the strategist to stay a course, adjust as needed or expire

The quality of the authors cannot be assessed since this article is listed as being authored by

“anonymous”. One could assume that the quality of the journal as a research-based magazine

editor and director of new editorial products, Michelman launched a suite of digital initiatives

that today comprise the core of HBR’s online brand.

make-over of s+b. Transforming it from a print-centric, issue-based, publishing paradigm to a

more fluid digital model in which the web is the primary distribution platform, he also edited and

wrote some of the magazine’s most popular features and introduced new editorial techniques,

such as interactive assessments, to s+b’s story-telling toolkit.

Where this fits into the discussion

Data is powerful in strategic planning and execution, and this article outlines that key

performance indicators (KPI) and machine learning is valuable in today's corporate landscape.

The anonymous author identifies that data strongly suggests that data-driven organizations that