Strategy is the art of directing military operations . This word derives from the Latin strategĭa , which in turn comes from two Greek terms: stratos ( "army" ) and agein ( "driver" , "guide" ).
The concept is also used to refer to the plan devised for the management of an issue and to designate the set of rules that ensure an optimal decision at all times. In other words, a strategy is the selected process through which it is planned to achieve a certain future state .
Types of strategy
It is possible to classify strategies in different ways. According to the scope of application, for example, a distinction is made between military strategy , corporate or business strategy , gaming strategy and educational strategy , among others.
Various types of strategy can also be recognized in each sector. If we focus on business and the operation of a corporation, there are operational strategies , commercial strategies , advertising strategies , etc. You can even think about more specific issues, such as a pricing strategy, a product strategy , or a cost strategy .
In all cases, there is an analysis that aims to achieve optimization in the development of actions and the use of resources. The aim is to direct efforts towards a certain goal.
The art of war
Military strategy is one of the dimensions of the art of war , along with tactics (the correct execution of military plans and maneuvers in battle) and logistics (which ensures the availability of the army and its combat capacity). Strategy is responsible for the planning and direction of war campaigns. It also deals with the movement and strategic disposition of the armed forces.
Precisely one of the most important books in the field of military strategies is called "The Art of War" and was written by a great Chinese strategist named Sun Tzu . This work is made up of a total of thirteen chapters where such important issues as offensive strategy, terrain and its types, fire attack, strong and weak points, maneuver and the use of spies are addressed.
Strategy in chess and other games
On the other hand, it is worth highlighting the existence of strategy games , entertainment where victory is achieved thanks to the use of intelligence and after having deployed plans and technical skills to predominate over adversaries.
We have to highlight that in chess it is common for players to establish their strategy to develop the game and thus be able to defeat their opponent. In this sense, the value of each of the pieces on the board (the pawns, the rooks, the knights, the bishops, the queen and the king) is taken into account in order to determine what it means to lose one or the other. .
The concept in business and education
In the same way, we cannot ignore what is known as marketing strategy . A concept that refers to all those actions that a company plans to carry out in terms of marketing and communication. In order to determine them, the organization thoroughly studies the market as well as other issues such as the needs of its clients and the characteristics that differentiate it from its most direct competitors.
In addition, we can name the existence of strategic plans , a notion that is often used in the business field. A strategic plan is an official document where those responsible for an organization or company stipulate what strategy they will follow in the medium term. Generally, these types of plans have a term of between one and five years.
In the field of teaching, it is also common to talk about the educational strategy to define all the activities and actions that are organized with the aim of achieving the objectives that have been set.
The strategy, in this case, is a planning of management and teaching to achieve certain goals. It involves the design of measures and actions that then, with their implementation, favor the teaching and learning process and the acquisition of knowledge.
Strategy Examples
Let's take the case of a company that aims to increase its sales . For this purpose, it carries out an analysis of the industry, focusing on its direct competition. It also makes an evaluation of its own processes to know in detail its cost structure, the performance of its human resources and other factors. With all the data at their disposal, managers design a strategy that is based on quality, investing in innovation to attract new consumers and thus achieve sales growth.
Let's now think about an NGO that aspires to reach more citizens with its message . Thus, it develops a strategy that includes training its team in communication and launching dissemination campaigns through social networks and other Internet platforms.
A person, meanwhile, can develop an investment strategy with the objective of making their savings work and promoting an expansion of their capital. In this way, you invest 50% of your savings in a fixed term, 25% in a common investment fund (FCI) and 10% in stock stocks, keeping the remaining 15% in a savings account for immediate access to money.