Comments on: Vision, strategy, and tactics

By: Ari Herzog

Ari Herzog — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:39:06 +0000

I agree with everything you wrote, Chris, minus one point.

Your statement, "Strategy is knowing the destination," is not necessarily accurate. I suggest strategy is knowing the direction.

By means of background, one of my favorite quotes is by John Steinbeck. Near the beginning of his autobiographical tale, "Travels with Charley," he writes:

"In Spanish there is a word for which I can't find a counterword in English. It is the verb vacilar, present participle vacilando. It does not mean vacillating at all. If one is vacilando, he is going somewhere, but does not greatly care whether or not he gets there, although he has direction. Everything in the world must have a design or the human mind rejects it. But in addition, it must have purpose or the human conscience shies away from it."

As a converge my experiences and passions to work with business and government leaders to help them navigate the web and build online communities, they don't need to have a destination defined because we all know the web changes every day with new tools and technologies. But they do need to have a direction, so I can help guide them.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:01:56 +0000

Great article. I never thought of it that way, but you highlight some key reasons why people give up or lose interest. Well done.

By: Armando Guerra

Armando Guerra — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:51:40 +0000

This goes to show where plain talk is more effective in getting the point across than techie talk. So many times the “experts” are trying so hard to establish their credentials that they totally lose sight of the people they are trying to help. Are they pushing the newest, shiny gizmo or are they helping me get to my goals?

Excellent use of storytelling to get the point across.

By: Lisa McGrath

Lisa McGrath — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:33:35 +0000

Well said. Thanks for the great article!

By: steve golab

steve golab — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:24:59 +0000

I am not sure this a topic that can be discussed properly in a blog? Really the difference between vision, strategy, and tactics is only 15% of the plan. The other 85% is execution which I find so many people fail miserably.

By: David Sandusky

David Sandusky — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:24:08 +0000

I love this post! I must admit I take people on a trip when I present on personal mission and vision because people really get the difference in this context (health works too). First a virtual vacation then pick on someone for a career trip. Man it works – you gave me new points and I thank you! I give a talk tomorrow and will mention this post to the SBA group.

By: Connie Bensen

Connie Bensen — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:10:24 +0000

Hey Chris,
I really like the post too – hope you saw my humor on Twitter. (we can't load up the bus & drive it faster?! please!!)

I use the terms: vision, mission, strategy, objectives & goals. But your analogy is great!

By: carruthk

carruthk — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:53:28 +0000

Chris – this is a really good article! I'll definitely be referencing it for my students.

By: Chris Brogan

Chris Brogan — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:06:37 +0000

Really great post, Chris. I love the analogy all the way through. As you and I both are known for community, making that point about all the people in the van is a great one.

Love this post!

By: Fred

Fred — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:27:01 +0000

Nice article, Chris. I particularly like the analogies at the end “Drive the van faster is both useless and dangerous, especially if faster means into a telephone pole.”

Too often people want technology to come up with the answer to questions that can only be answered by a human.