Strategist & Strategic Planner

A strategist is someone who formulates and implements plans and actions in order to achieve specific goals or objectives. They analyze and interpret data and information, identify strengths and weaknesses, and make decisions based on their understanding of the situation. Strategists can be found in various fields, such as business, military, politics, and sports, among others.

Consider the role of:

1. Senior executive team: Three qualities senior managers need to contribute to high-level strategy-making:
   • Mastery of analytical concepts and techniques;
   • Social and influencing skills;
   • Group acceptance as a player – respect.
2. Middle and front-line managers: Four roles, middle and front-line managers typically have in relation to the management of strategy:
   • Information source – knowledge and experience;
   • ‘Sense-making’ of strategy – translating strategy into a message that is locally relevant;
   • Reinterpretation and adjustment of strategic responses as events Unfold;
   • Champions of ideas that can be the foundation of new strategies.
3. Consultants and Academics (Strategy specialists – analysts and planners): Academics and consultants contribute to strategy theories and processes. Both academics and consultants might run strategy workshops with senior decision-makers
   • Consultant-based models and theories: McKinsey Seven S or Boston Consulting Group Matrix
   • Academic-based models and theories: Michael Porter’s Five Forces, Henry Mintzberg’s theory of emergent strategy making, Igor Ansoff’s Product-Market Matrix

Strategic planners are professionals who develop and implement plans and strategies to achieve long-term goals and objectives. The strategic planner’s role consists of helping the organization to gather, analyze and organize information.

1. They track industry and competitive trends
2. develop forecasting models and scenario analysis
3. examine strategic performance
4. spot emerging market opportunities
5. identify business threats,
6. look for novel strategic solutions and
7. develop creative action plans

Strategic planners typically work in business, government, or nonprofit organizations, and their responsibilities may include conducting research and analysis, forecasting future trends, developing business plans, and monitoring progress toward strategic goals.