What's the difference between strategy and tactics?

Rich Horwath, CEO of the Strategic Thinking Institute, provides a clear and simple way of differentiation between strategy and tactics so managers at all levels can have a common understanding of these key business planning terms. Developing this common language is a strong start to effective strategic thinking and strategic planning.

Is your team tactical or strategic? Research shows the #1 cause of business failure is bad strategy and the most important role of a leader is setting strategic direction.

At the Strategic Thinking Institute, we help executive teams develop their strategic thinking and planning capabilities through strategy workshops, strategic coaching, and proprietary resources in order to set clear direction and create competitive advantage.

Our customizable workshops, strategic coaching, online courses, microlearning programs, and other resources built on the New York Times bestselling books on strategy will improve your team’s business acumen and strategy conversations.

Visit https://www.strategyskills.com to start a strategic conversation today.

What our clients are saying:

“Rich’s Deep Dive Strategic Thinking session with our global leadership team was incredibly valuable, serving as a springboard for our strategic planning process. The session provided my executive team with a methodical way of thinking about strategy and the tools to do so. There has been an immediate impact in the elevation in the way in which my team is thinking about strategy for the long-term health of our business. I give Rich my highest recommendation.”
-- Taryn Owen, President, PeopleScout

“Rich Horwath does an exceptional job of quickly understanding your business and then applying the most effective and efficient strategic tools to add significant value to the organization. I would very much recommend Rich to any leader that is looking to improve their strategic thinking, planning and execution to help enhance both top and bottom line. His Strategic Coaching program was a great experience!!"
-- Mike Pietsch, Executive Vice President, Carmex

“I highly recommend Rich if you or your organization want to increase your strategic capability. Rich takes the complex topic of strategy and provides a straightforward framework and practical resources to advance strategic thinking. Rich presented at the Intel Leadership Conference and the participants were able to take his 3A Strategic Thinking framework and immediately apply it to real business challenges.”
-- Kristin Porter, People Talent, Intel

“The Strategic Coaching Program is a terrific resource for leaders. The content is highly customized and it allows the leader to consider multiple elements of strategy development through an in-depth and critical lens. It also contains several unique resources for assessing the effectiveness of my company’s strategy which I will utilize with my teams as we move forward. Rich does a great job of guiding you through the program in a supportive and realistic way. His command of the content and relevant business experience enables him to relate to the participant with competence and authenticity. The Strategic Coaching Program definitively enhanced my professional development and I am a better leader for having worked through it.”
-- Andrew Sawyer, Senior Regional Sales Director, Celgene

“Rich Horwath did an exceptional job at helping our organization take a Deep Dive into how we were looking at strategy and planning. Since our Strategic Thinking and Planning workshop with Rich at our National Meeting, we have received feedback throughout the organization that it was the best session they have ever attended. The skills and tools have immediately made an impact on our organization.”
-- John Berrios, Vice President Commercial Operations, Bayer “

I learned more useful and practical strategy tools in one day with you than in five days at the Wharton Executive Education Program on Strategy. Your Strategic Thinking program was much more of what I was looking for: one day of using practical tools to help develop a strategy. I can envision using what you taught us immediately with my team for next year’s planning.”
-- Michael Tomcsanyi, National Director, Sunovion

"Your Deep Dive Strategic Thinking workshop was very effective at introducing planning concepts I am now using to develop strategies at FedEx. Your strategic concepts are universal for most product and service applications, and by providing about 10 concepts, we were sure to walk away with at least half of the concepts that we can apply to our specific work. I found your Deep Dive Strategic Thinking Process to be skillfully facilitated and concepts to be vital planning tools."
– Ann Smith-Gill, Marketing Special Advisor, FedEx