Strategy and business planning ensure the success of companies in the medium and long term.
The starting point of this article is at least unusual. The article published in Wired by Giulia Giacobini:
Is the future of automation a robot capable of “printing” robots?
Researchers at MIT have created a robot that is capable of designing and printing other robots. Or rather, a key part of their structure: the so-called actuators.
These are systems that make it possible to implement a command and turn it into an action of a machine (in practice, they have the same function as the muscles of our body).
If they did not exist, a robot would not be able to move or perform any kind of action.
As always, news of this kind, seemingly far removed from our world and our business, is the starting point for looking critically at the future.
The intrinsic aspect of this revolution, for that is what it is, is that robots are able to do repeatedly, we might say endlessly, the “manual” procedures carried out by scientists.
That is, to create a new actuator, they have to try and experiment with materials and procedures until they find the right solution.
Robots, by definition, as long as they have electricity and systems working properly, can develop these processes continuously.
Tirelessly, without becoming demotivated by failure. 24/24, 365 days a year, without extras, benefits, sickness etc.
Strategy and business planning to build the future
Now imagine a robot factory, making and testing parts of other robots, bringing them, in theory to the perfect version. Fruit of thousands of trials.
This is what will happen in the short term, if I understand correctly.
Now let’s move the hands of the clock 10 years from now, when this technology will have even faster processors, quantum computers, integrate with nano technology, have new materials that are even more ductile and high-performance, etc.
In short, a mix of super technology, stuff to put the inventors of the Matrix and all the other fantasy films to shame.
What can happen to our Business?
Apparently nothing, especially when thinking about the Italian micro enterprise.
Actually a lot, in my opinion.
It is enough to think how many companies have closed with the advent of Amazon.
Amazon is definitely a great e-commerce but first of all it is a perfect machine in terms of logistics.
Today it delivers to homes and offices. But it is forging agreements with large chains such as Autogrill, Burger King and others to put their own pick-up points (Amazon Loker) inside the stores.
Now what is the connection?
The nexus is that today Amazon’s logistics are highly automated. Tomorrow it could be totally, and I mean totally, robotized.
But as with Amazon this applies to so many other companies.
Robots are leading the way in the automotive industry.
For the past several years, 3D printers have been making parts for airplanes, automobiles, industrial design products etc.
The first prototype houses, 3D printed, are also being made.
Good.
We combine 3D printing with robotics.
While the house is being printed, the robots, lay the electrical and home automation systems. They fix windows and doors, lay tiles and siding.
Strategies business planning and scheduling
Now think about what happens, for example, in highway maintenance.
Today it is carried out by teams of workers who often even risk their lives to fix a guardrail or a signal.
In 10 years, thanks to autonomous driving and the use of on-board cameras, vehicles will arrive directly on site with pinpoint accuracy.
Robots, placed on the vehicles, will take care of all maintenance and restoration work. 24/24, 365 days a year. And they don’t even have a union.
We are talking about thousands of employees in Italy alone.
This is the future that awaits us.
The question is, are we ready? Are our companies ready for this momentous change?
Web and social have disrupted the process of acquiring and sharing information, not to mention the consumer’s purchase decision process.
Soon there will be a new revolution.
Business strategies: how can we make a difference?
How can we evolve our companies so that they come ready for this new world and enable us to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves?
About a month ago, I had a meeting at a company in Brianza.
I was asked to evolve the company, translated simply, significantly increase turnover and profits.
In order to prepare a strategy, I asked the three partners where they wanted to be in 3 to 5 years.
This information is essential to prepare a plan that defines short-term activities, 6/12 months, according to medium-term business goals and long-term goals (3/5 years).
The response was disarming. We don’t care to think about where we will be in 3 or 5 years, we care about today.
Being an entrepreneur means, first of all, designing, thinking and planning the strategy that guarantees a secure future for the enterprise.
True, nothing is certain, but if we live today, the certainty is that there will be no tomorrow. Of course, I am talking about business.
Strategy and business plan
Strategy, strategy and more strategy, to:
- Differentiate yourself from competitors.
- Improve processes and customer experience
- Acquire new market share
- Making new products or services
- Create, with a strategy of focus, new market niches and immediately become a leader in them.
Strategy is everything. It is the central cog that makes the company move.
Strategy is a decision-making process that decides everything. Through strategy you take into consideration the strategic goals that allow you to build your positioning and win over your competitors:
- How to position yourself in the market
- What is our target audience
- Which products to make and what is their reference price
- The Marketing and Communication Strategy
- What Web and Social strategy to implement
- Which communication channels to use
- What kind of sales network we need to build
No strategy, no business.
Every time I go to Crema, my hometown, walking down the very central Via XX Settembre and Via Mazzini, I watch the evolution of the stores. Every six months one store closes and another reopens.
Basically, the featured products are always the same. There are at least 30 clothing stores on these two streets. A couple, differ in the quality of products for sale.
The others, unfortunately, offer more or less the same product.
The differentiator becomes the price, or the skill and friendliness of the salesperson.
- What is the medium to long term strategy?
- Why open yet another clothing store?
- Why should a customer choose you?
- What more do you offer than others who, all things considered, have already gained some customers?
- How can you make a difference to your prospective clients?
Strategy and business planning: differentiating elements
One differentiator is definitely the customer experience, or rather, the experience that the user has in contact with the brand, its products and services.
So you can differentiate by developing the strategy on user experience. You are the only store in Crema that offers coffee and pastries to every person trying on a dress.
Or you may decide to develop a focus strategy, that is, you choose a small niche market and try to become, immediately, a leader in it.
Open the only store in Crema that sells, exclusively, red dresses. True, you please only part of the public, but when a woman wants a red dress, there is only one store with a rich assortment.
We can give dozens or hundreds of such examples.
The important thing, the basic question, remains the same.
How can I make a difference for my Client? Based on the answer you can implement your strategy.
Good strategy to all and a great Sunday.
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