This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans (Create a Strategy to Elevate Your Career, Community & Life)

by Seth Godin

Writing about technical change, Rogers has outlined the questions that inform any cultural or economic change we seek to make. I’ve added a few based on a strategic and cultural mindset. It takes empathy to answer these questions with others in mind, but it’s essential. Engineering and performance • How does this innovation improve on previous solutions? • What are the benefits of using this innovation? • Can the improvement be measured in terms of cost, speed, efficiency, or other metrics? Interactions and network effects • Does this innovation align with the smallest viable audience’s values, beliefs, and current needs? • Is it compatible with existing systems, practices, or technologies already in use by the target audience? • Will it work better when more people use it? • How does the innovation fit into the social and cultural context of the audience? Convenience and simplicity • How easy is the innovation to understand and use? • What is the learning curve like? • Are there any complexities or technicalities that could hinder its adoption? Risk reduction • Can the innovation be tested on a limited basis before a commitment to full adoption is made? • Is it possible to pilot the innovation with a small group or segment of the target audience? • How easily can trial results be measured and analyzed? Scaffolding • Do new users get status or organizational benefits? • Are the results of using the innovation visible and apparent to others? • How can succes...