Strategic Management & Business Policy (2024)

By Jeremy Bradley Updated April 10, 2019

Businesses need to implement sound strategies to succeed. Those strategies form part of an overall management and business policy that guides the business in connecting with customers, generating profits and managing resources. The related concepts of strategic management and business policy are keys to help small business owners manage their responsibilities and set clear objectives.

Strategic Management and Business Policy

Strategic management represents a theoretical concept first introduced by Peter Drucker in the mid-20th century. The idea behind strategic management is that organizations will be better equipped to meet their goals and objectives if the owners and managers adopt a clear business philosophy. For many businesses, that philosophy will be to increase their share of the market.

For others, it might be about making a difference in the community or about developing new products. Sometimes, a combination of motives drives the management's strategy. In any case, strategic management helps the business to keep its sights set on what matters most and to not get distracted by ancillary concerns.

Business Policy and Strategy

The generic term business policy refers to all of an organization's processes and procedures. This can range from human resources policies to the company's marketing agenda and its plans for growth and development. Business policy is closely related to strategic management because the policies are essentially the strategies put into action. If the strategy calls for an increased market share, for instance, the business policies would be constructed to match this strategy.

The two terms are so closely intertwined that they are often use interchangeably. Policies become strategies and vice versa. The important thing for a business owner to keep clear is that strategic management is a mind-set or philosophy for doing business, but business policies are the specific methods for running the organization on a day-to-day business.

Setting Business Objectives

Strategic management and business policy both rely on the basic notion of setting objectives that are "SMART" – an acronym representing Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound goals. In the context of running a business, setting SMART goals means specifically detailing what the goals are about and what they are intended to do.

For example, a goal to "sell more products" means little unless details are added to the goal statement. A goal might be: "sell 25 percent more of the product within the next 30 days by targeting new customers." This goal is clear and concise and it helps the business owner to manage all of the policies and strategies necessary to enact that objective.

Following Through with Goals and Objectives

Goals and objectives mean little in the organization if there is no follow-through. Effective management policy and strategy and coherent business policy both depend on the enactment of objectives in a timely and responsible manner. This involves, above all else, clear communication of those objectives to all the concerned parties.

If the business has decided to increase revenue by 5 percent during the next quarter, for instance, it needs to clearly delineate to its staff and managers how this goal will be accomplished and what is required of them in order to accomplish it. This sets the bar for excellence in the organization and gives business owners a benchmark against which to judge performance.

Strategic Management & Business Policy (2024)

FAQs

Strategic Management & Business Policy? ›

1) Strategic Management Deals with strategic decisions that decide the long-term health of an enterprise. It is a comprehensive plan of action designed to meet certain specific goals. Business Policy offers guidelines for managers to take appropriate decisions.

What is strategic management and business policy? ›

1) Strategic Management Deals with strategic decisions that decide the long-term health of an enterprise. It is a comprehensive plan of action designed to meet certain specific goals. Business Policy offers guidelines for managers to take appropriate decisions.

Why is strategic management and business policy important? ›

Strategic management provides overall direction by developing plans and policies designed to achieve objectives and then allocating resources to implement the plans. Ultimately, strategic management is for organisations to gain a competitive edge over their competitors.

What is the objective of strategic management in business policy? ›

Strategic management involves setting objectives, analyzing the competitive environment, analyzing the internal organization, evaluating strategies, and ensuring that management rolls out the strategies across the organization.

What are the types of business policy in strategic management? ›

Four types of policies include Public Policy, Organizational Policy, Functional Policy, and Specific Policy.

What is an example of a business policy? ›

Examples of company policies include employee conduct policies, dress code, attendance policies, equal opportunity policies, and other areas related to the terms and conditions of employment.

What is an example of strategic policy? ›

A strategic policy example is a written statement of an organization's choices in its operating environment. For example, a public or nonprofit agency chooses which of society's problems to address through public services.

What are the five steps of strategic management? ›

What are the 5 steps of the strategic management process?
  • Goal setting. The strategic management process is all about creating a roadmap to help you achieve your vision. ...
  • Environmental scanning and analysis. The next part of the process is analysis. ...
  • Strategy formulation. ...
  • Strategy implementation. ...
  • Strategy evaluation.
Jun 28, 2022

What is the most important benefit of strategic management? ›

The benefits of using strategy management include improved decision making, increased efficiency, better coordination between departments, and improved alignment with organizational goals. It can also help organizations to anticipate market trends and respond quickly to changing conditions.

What is the link between strategy and business policy? ›

Policy deals with routine/daily activities essential for effective and efficient running of an organization. While strategy deals with strategic decisions. Policy is concerned with both thought and actions. While strategy is concerned mostly with action.

What are the five objectives of strategic management? ›

There are five essential tasks of strategic management. They include developing a strategic vision and mission, setting objectives, crafting tactics to achieve those objectives, implementing and executing the tactics, and evaluating and measuring performance.

What are the 4 phases of business policy? ›

Four most Important business policy process are: 1. Environmental Scanning 2. Policy Formulation 3. Policy Implementation 4.

What are the 5 characteristics of business policy? ›

A business policy must be specific, clear, uniform, appropriate, simple, inclusive and stable.

What are the four major types of strategic management? ›

Over time, some organizations master the linear, adaptive, interpretive, and expressive types of strategic management.

What is the most important business policy? ›

Some of the most important company policies involve discipline and employee conduct. Before you can hold your employees accountable for their actions, it's important to record your expectations in terms of performance and behavior in your employee handbook or individual employee contracts.

What is business policy in simple words? ›

Business policy is a set of principles and rules which directs the decisions of the subordinates. Policies are framed by the top level management to serve as a road map for operational decision making. It is helpful in stressing the rules, principles and values of the organization.

What is difference between policy and strategy? ›

Strategy is a comprehensive plan, made to accomplish the organizational goals. Policy is the guiding principle, that helps the organization to take logical decisions.

What are three 3 key strategic initiatives for your organization? ›

The three tenets of successful initiative execution are discipline, transparency, and efficiency.

What is a strategic management process? ›

Strategic management process is a continuous culture of appraisal that a business adopts to outdo the competitors. Simple as it may sound, this is a complex process that also covers formulating the organization's overall vision for present and future objectives.

What are the 7 C's of strategic management? ›

The seven elements (7 C's) are: customers, competitors, capabilities, cost, channels, communication, and coordination.

What are the 6 pillars of strategic management? ›

Here is a further explanation of each pillar and some examples that your business can adopt.
  • (1) Promote.
  • (2) Educate.
  • (3) Attract.
  • (4) Support.
  • (5) Solidify.
  • (6) Broaden.

What are the six major components of strategic management? ›

Strategic management comprises the following components:
  • Goal Setting. ...
  • Strategy Formulation. ...
  • Strategy Implementation. ...
  • Strategy Evaluation. ...
  • The Start. ...
  • Analyzing. ...
  • Forming the Strategy. ...
  • Implement the Strategy.

What are the challenges of strategic management? ›

The five most common challenges in executing a strategic plan are:
  • Poor goal setting. ...
  • Lack of alignment. ...
  • Inability to track progress. ...
  • People not connected to the strategy. ...
  • No measurements or leading indicators.
Apr 12, 2019

What are the roles of strategic management? ›

Strategic management serves as the foundation for every important decision an organisation makes. It gives overall direction by creating plans and policies intended to achieve goals and then assigning resources to implement the plans.

What are the key terms of strategic management? ›

Before we further discuss strategic management, we should define nine key terms: competitive advantage, strategists, vision and mission statements, external opportunities and threats, internal strengths and weaknesses, long-term objectives, strategies, annual objectives, and policies.

What makes a good strategic plan? ›

Strategies should map long-term plans to objectives and actionable steps, foster innovative thinking, as well as anticipate and mitigate potential pitfalls. Strategic plans often look out 3-5 years, and there may be a separate plan for each individual objective within the organization.

What are the four key attributes of strategic management? ›

1) It is directed toward overall organizational goals and objectives; 2) It includes multiple stakeholders in decision making; 3) It requires incorporating both short-term and long-term perspectives; 4) It involves the recognition of trade-offs between effectiveness and efficiency.

How is SWOT analysis used in strategic management? ›

A SWOT analysis helps you assess internal factors that might affect your business (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats). You will need to review and act on the results from the SWOT analysis.

What comes first between strategy and policy? ›

First you formulate a policy which is the principles or the protocols to guide decisions and next we can make a strategy and finally a detailed plan to achieve the strategy.

Is business policy and strategy the same? ›

A Strategy is a special plan made to achieve a market position and to reach the organizational goals and objectives, but Policy refers to a set of rules made by the organization for rational decision making. Many people have confusion regarding the two terms, but they are not alike.

What are the 8 major areas for strategic goals? ›

The basic strategic variables for consideration as you make a plan for the future are products, services, customers, markets, finances, people, technology, and production capability.

What is the role of the business policy? ›

A business policy outlines which decisions the employees can take themselves and which decisions require approval or input from the manager. This decreases the breaks in the work process because the employees don't have to wait for their busy manager's time unless it is absolutely needed.

What are the principles of business policy? ›

Three fundamental principles: Severability, Accommodation, and Wholeness, form the basis of all fundamental business rules and policies.

How do you develop a business policy? ›

How to Develop and Implement a New Company Policy
  1. Step 1: Identify the Need for a Policy. ...
  2. Step 2: Determine Policy Content. ...
  3. Step 3: Obtain Stakeholder Support. ...
  4. Step 4: Communicate with Employees. ...
  5. Step 5: Update and Revise the Policy.

What are the benefits of business policy? ›

Policies help the firm to clarify its objectives, guide planning for future operations, aid subordinates in reaching operating decisions, facilitate overall coordination and control and act as yardsticks for evaluating the quality of executive decision-making and action.

What are the 3 key attributes characteristics of a policy? ›

Stable and future proofed. Developed considering the impact of policy on different groups. Known and understood by all that are affected by the policy. Written in clear, concise and gender-neutral language.

What policies should every business have? ›

10 Policies All Companies Should Have

Personnel Policies – Clearly state business hours, code of conduct, terms of employment (hiring and termination), wages or salary (and bonuses, if any), insurance and health benefits, paid vs. unpaid vacation days, sick leave, and retirement.

What are the 3 most important aspects of strategic management? ›

Successful strategic management involves three steps: Planning, Execution and Monitoring Developments & Progress. With strategic management, actions speak louder than words. Even effective strategic planning that yields the appropriate decisions can come up short on delivering performance improvements.

What are the 11 types of strategies in strategic management? ›

Eleven types of strategies are listed (forward integration, backward integration, horizontal integration, market penetration, market development, product development, relation diversification, unrelated diversification, retrenchment, divestiture, and liquidation).

What is management and policy and strategy about? ›

Policy is the spheres or scope within which decisions are taken by the employees in the organization. Strategy is an action that managers and directors take to achieve one or more of the organizational goals. A policy is a guide to thinking and action for those responsible for making decisions.

Is strategic management originally called business policy? ›

Strategic management was initially known as business policy. The study of strategic management focuses on monitoring of business environment for opportunities and threats in line with organization's strengths and weaknesses.

What are the 5 stages of strategic management? ›

What are the 5 steps of the strategic management process?
  • Goal setting. The strategic management process is all about creating a roadmap to help you achieve your vision. ...
  • Environmental scanning and analysis. The next part of the process is analysis. ...
  • Strategy formulation. ...
  • Strategy implementation. ...
  • Strategy evaluation.
Jun 28, 2022

What are the 4 management strategies? ›

Tip. The four phases of strategic management are formulation, implementation, evaluation and modification.

What are the 7 steps of strategic management process? ›

How to Strategic Plan in 7 Steps
  • Step 1: Environmental Scan. ...
  • Step 2: Internal Analysis. ...
  • Step 3: Strategic Direction. ...
  • Step 4: Develop Goals and Objectives. ...
  • Step 5: Define Metrics, Set Timelines, and Track Progress. ...
  • Step 6: Write and Publish a Strategic Plan. ...
  • Step 7: Plan for Implementation and the Future.
Apr 26, 2022

What are the elements of a business policy? ›

Although different businesses may have different policies, any business policy has the same seven features. A business policy must be specific, clear, uniform, appropriate, simple, inclusive and stable.

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