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Do you know the difference between goals, strategies, and tactics?

Do you know the difference between goals, strategies, and tactics? You’d be surprised at how many people use these terms inter-changeably. The terms are most certainly very different. John Furguson explains the difference over at the Brand Insight Blog. Short story: a goal is what you want to achieve. A strategy is how you could achieve your goal. A tactic is an action to execute a strategy.

For example, my goal for Alltop is worldwide domination of RSS. My strategy is to us Twitter to reach thousands of people with Alltop’s hundreds of topics. My tactic is to create a large following using informative links so that I earn the right to promote Alltop to them.

More help for Marketing.


Comments (10)

Nov 08, 2009
ChemSanch said...
Great post Guy, I think the most important is to have clear the goal, established the strategy carefully and review it sometimes and only in that moment start the tactics.
Nov 08, 2009
Mike said...
The example seems like an example of how people get this concept wrong. Wouldn't your goal be something like "Create a profitable, self-sustaining business"? Attaining "worldwide domination of RSS" seems more of a strategy, and using Twitter is a tactic.
Nov 08, 2009
schmogel said...
twitter is not a strategy...
Nov 09, 2009
sfstrategies said...
A timely reminder on essential elements of business planning - remember to focus on action
Nov 09, 2009
Les McKeown said...
Good post, Guy. Clear and to the point.

It's also interesting that most people will find it easier to work either on a strategic level or a tactical level but not as easy to work on both at the same time. That's why we need to surround ourselves with people who are good at working at different levels.

Nov 09, 2009
Great clear definitions of the differences between goals, strategies, and tactics
Nov 09, 2009
Good post! After deciding on the goal we also add objectives to the planning process - to have a way to measure whether your strategies are producing the desired results or not.
Nov 09, 2009
stevebrannan said...
Not only is this a great article, but it addresses the real issue, lack of initiative to properly educate oneself!
Nov 09, 2009
herbert weiler said...
Is this true i dont know maby
Nov 09, 2009
Jorge Barba said...
"Create a profitable, self-sustaining business"? What's original about that? A goal or BHAG has to be original to you, can't be the same for everyone.

Microsofts goal was to put a computer in every home, not to 'create a profitable, self sustaining business'.

This is why we have so many crappy products and services, they're all out to do the same thing as everyone else. You can't tell the difference between them, only the name and colors on the logo.

If it's not different then it's not strategic.

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