O que você deve considerar antes de fazer uma mudança de carreira na Estratégia de Negócios?

Are you a strategic thinker and able to connect long-term vision with operational impact? Before you decide on a career pivot, perhaps check within your organization what opportunities exist to get involved in strategic initiatives to build the skills you need. This will also allow you to determine if this line of work is practically turning out to be what you have imagined.

Are you a dynamic worker? Can you undertake new projects you haven't worked on without being afraid of failure? Are you a self-starter? Are you an active problem solver? Are you an excellent people reader? Do you enjoy strategizing abstract ideas? Are you great at pattern recognition? If yes, you are all set to transition. Provided you've made adequate savings to help aid the transition.

A comprehensive understanding of your business field is crucial for strategists. Pursuing an EMBA helped me gain this perspective. It boosted my confidence and improved my interactions across different bank departments. A strategist must communicate effectively with the board, CEO, finance and risk teams, HR, and IT and convey strategy to employees and the market. Understanding market analysis, trends, and marketing tools is also crucial.

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of your current skills and competencies. Identify strengths that align with the demands of a career in business strategy. Consider skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, strategic planning, data analysis, and leadership abilities. Bridge any skill gaps through training, courses, or gaining relevant experience.

Setting goals in strategy, remember: it's a unique, rewarding field for those who enjoy exploring different organizational aspects and impacting its direction and success. However, a strategist's success is only sometimes linked to the organization's triumph. A good strategist involves business unit leaders, the team, the CEO, and the board. Effective strategy emerges from collaboration. Rarely can a strategist claim sole credit for organizational success. Strategy is a long-term path if you're okay with a "shadow" role. If not, consider it a stepping stone towards a CEO position.

Clearly define your career objectives in business strategy. Determine what you want to achieve in this field, whether it's advancing to a higher position, transitioning to a different industry, or specializing in a particular area such as marketing strategy, operations, or organizational development. Align your goals with your personal values and aspirations.

Choosing a growing market with potential is critical. But beyond researching market trends and attractive industries for strategists, it's crucial to pick the right CEO to partner with on this journey. The composition of the board of directors is equally vital. If the board is approachable, its members are engaging and experienced, and both the CEO and the board are engaged in strategy and ready to assist and support, this combination is far more critical than selecting the correct industry or trend.

Research the job market and industry trends within the realm of business strategy. Identify sectors or companies that align with your career goals and values. Analyze the demand for business strategists, the skills in demand, salary trends, and potential growth opportunities in different sectors or geographic locations.

Career change is an important decision and it is important to access your current skills and experience and try to understand the challenges and opportunities of new role. Many often the decisions are based on short terms and then realised at a later stage when it’s too late. This creates problems to cope up with new opportunities and frustration etc

Understanding the position of strategy within an organization is crucial. It's essential to know beforehand about the authority and resources you'll have. Clarify your needs during discussions with potential leaders. Will you need staff? Will you influence data analytics departments? Is there a budget for market research and customer interviews? I've encountered organizations recognizing the need for a strategist but unclear about their role. This can leave you caught between conflicting demands, needing more resources and authority to make an impact, or being reduced to merely documenting leaders' ideas. Another vital aspect is the strategist's responsibility for implementation. It should be part of the strategist's duties and KPIs.

Assess your compatibility with the role of a business strategist. Consider your interests, passion for problem-solving, strategic thinking abilities, and your willingness to adapt to a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Reflect on your past experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities and challenges of a business strategist role.

Consider networking with professionals in the field to gain insights into the day-to-day realities of the role. Seek informational interviews or shadowing opportunities to understand the nuances of the job. Evaluate the potential impact of the career change on your personal life, financial situation, and long-term career aspirations. Develop a plan for acquiring additional qualifications or certifications that might strengthen your candidacy for roles in business strategy. Remember, a career change into business strategy demands careful consideration of your skills, goals, market trends, personal fit, and the potential impact on your life. Taking proactive steps to assess these factors can pave the way for a successful transition.