Out-Execute Or Out-Strategize?
Seth Godin is making an important point about strategy in this post — Strategy matters more than ever — and that’s what he wants you to focus on.
However, I want you fundraisers to focus on his first two sentences …
“When everyone is playing the same game, your execution is critical. Your store is like their store, your bread is like their bread, so we care very much about the care and skill you put into your product or service.”
Why do I say focus on execution?
Because most fundraisers are following exactly the same fundraising strategies, whether homespun or consultant-provided. Environment group A does exactly the same thing as environment group B (and C and D). Medical care/research center A follows the same strategy as center B. University A’s fundraising strategy is indistinguishable from University B’s. And so on.
And since few if any nonprofits in any given sector have a unique marketing strategy that might actually confer a fundraising advantage, then their only hope of being successful is to out-execute the competition. Do every single little tactical or operational thing better … spectacularly better.
Which is it going to be for you — out-execute or out-strategize?
Tom
P.S. Godin’s last sentence: “Not changing your strategy merely because you’re used to the one you have now is a lousy strategy.”
One response to “Out-Execute Or Out-Strategize?”
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Clearly we were both inspired by Seth Godin’s post about strategy. And I agree with both of you. We have to out-strategize AND out-execute. I wish I could pick just one, but I can’t. Thoughtful strategy + smart execution, hand-in-hand, are essential if we want to stand out. By “thoughtful”, I mean not simply status quo, resting on one’s laurels stuff. http://clairification.blogspot.com/2012/07/why-if-its-not-broke-dont-fix-it-no.html#more By “smart”, I’d agree with what you’ve suggested in this post. Thanks for all your great insights. I enjoy them!