I listened to an EXCELLENT podcast where Jonathan Stark and Blair Enns discuss the definition of “strategy”
What it is
and more importantly…
What it’s not.
Strategy is NOT:
- Tactics – The specifics of what you will do.
- A Plan – Plans are simply how you organize tactics; which comes after strategy.
- Guaranteed – Risk is part of a good strategy; it requires a degree of faith.
Here are the two best definitions of “strategy” from the podcast:
Jonathan’s definition: “Strategy is a concise high-level approach to achieving an objective that applies your strengths against something’s weaknesses in a surprising way.”
Blair’s definition: “Strategy is an idea that describes a journey to a position of advantage.”
There are nuances to these, but the point is:
Strategy is your approach to achieving an objective
causing you to win.
Honestly, is your tech organization winning?
Or, is it chaos?
Here is an example of a nonprofit tech strategy:
Vision: A thriving, Christ-centered community where every family experiences spiritual and economic growth.
Mission: To deliver practical resources, mentorship, and Christ-centered initiatives that empower individuals and families to achieve lasting stability and spiritual renewal.
Tech Strategy: Leverage data analytics, mobile-first tools, and scalable cloud platforms to streamline resource delivery, amplify mentorship reach, and foster deep connections—capitalizing on the nonprofit’s localized presence and relational approach to disrupt the cycle of instability and disconnection in underserved communities.
It’s easy to develop tactics from this strategy.
This strategy is also aligned with the organization’s mission.
Strategy is alignment.