One Example of Strategy Formation Preceding Strategic Planning: Crafting a Blue Ocean Strategy for a Liberal Arts College

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In my previous post, Untangling the Strategy Paradox, I stressed the importance of forming a strategy before proceeding to strategic planning. One of the ways to guide your thinking on strategy formation is to consider the concept of impact: what effect or influence do you want your institution to bring to bear on the world through what you do?

What might that strategy formation look like? Let's explore, as an example, how a hypothetical liberal arts college can leverage the multifaceted lens of impact to forge a distinctive and purposeful path, setting itself apart from its peers. Strategy formation can be particularly bothersome for traditional liberal arts colleges: they often find themselves navigating turbulent waters, struggling to differentiate themselves and carve out a unique value proposition. However, by embracing the concept of "impact" as a strategic compass, these institutions can chart a course toward uncharted territories, crafting a blue ocean strategy that transcends the traditional boundaries of liberal arts education.

Defining the institution's desired impact

The college may define its desired impact as "cultivating adaptable, socially conscious leaders with a deep appreciation for the humanities, empowered to address complex global challenges and drive positive societal change."

Identifying key impact areas

Aligning with this desired impact, the college can identify key impact areas such as global citizenship, interdisciplinary problem-solving, ethical leadership, and cross-cultural understanding.

Aligning resources and capabilities

To maximize its impact, the college can reallocate resources toward experiential learning opportunities, immersive study abroad programs, interdisciplinary capstone projects, and partnerships with international organizations and non-profits, leveraging its strengths in the liberal arts and fostering a global mindset.

Measuring and evaluating impact

The college can establish metrics to gauge its progress, such as the number of students participating in global service-learning initiatives, the diversity of international experiences offered, the success rates of alumni in leadership roles that drive social impact, and the college's contributions to addressing global challenges through research and advocacy.

Fostering stakeholder engagement and buy-in

By involving faculty, students, alumni, and community partners in shaping its vision for globally engaged, socially conscious education, the college can foster a shared commitment to this mission, attracting like-minded individuals and fostering a culture of social responsibility and global citizenship.

Differentiating the institution

Through its unwavering focus on cultivating globally minded, socially conscious leaders, the college can differentiate itself as a pioneering institution in this realm, garnering recognition and attracting students seeking a transformative educational experience that transcends traditional boundaries.

Promoting continuous improvement and adaptation

As global challenges and societal needs evolve, the college can continuously monitor its impact, adapting its strategies and reallocating resources to address emerging issues, seize new opportunities, and remain at the forefront of socially engaged liberal arts education.

By anchoring its strategy formation in the pursuit of meaningful impact, this liberal arts college can navigate uncharted waters, charting a blue ocean course that redefines the role of liberal arts education in a rapidly changing world. Embracing impact as a strategic compass empowers the institution to differentiate itself, engage stakeholders, and ultimately contribute to society's greater good by cultivating socially conscious, globally minded leaders.

Robert (Skip) Myers, Ph.D., advises and counsels college and university governing boards and their presidents seeking to optimize and align their joint leadership performance.

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