What Is Corporate Strategy?

A Corporate Strategy is a strategic plan or approach that is designed to help an organization achieve sustainable, long-term growth and expansion. Corporate Strategies typically involve a combination of market & product development, strategic partnerships & alliances, and operational improvements & efficiencies.

The objective of the Corporate Strategy is to help an organization to increase its market share, revenue, and profitability—and to position itself for long-term success and competitiveness.

A robust and effective Corporate Strategy typically contains the following the key components:

• Goals and Objectives: A Corporate Strategy should have clearly defined goals and objectives that are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). These goals and objectives should be aligned with the organization's overall mission and vision. They should also be supported by a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that can be used to track progress and performance.

• Market and Competitive Analysis: An effective Corporate Strategy should be based on a thorough analysis of the organization's market and competitive environment. This analysis should include an assessment of the size and growth potential of the market; the key trends and forces shaping the market; the organization's competitive position and strengths; and the opportunities and threats that the organization faces. This information should be used to inform the development of the Corporate Strategy. This info should also be regularly updated and reviewed.

• Flexibility: A Corporate Strategy should be flexible and adaptable. It needs to able to respond quickly to changing market conditions and competitive threats. The Corporate Strategy should include contingency plans and options that can be implemented if the assumptions that the Strategy was based on are not met. This flexibility and adaptability can help the organization react quickly and effectively to new opportunities and challenges; and can help it maintain a sustainable Competitive Advantage.

• Leadership Commitment: The Strategy requires strong leadership and commitment from the organization's senior management and leadership team. The Corporate Strategy should be led by the CEO or other top executives who should be committed to making the necessary resources and investments to support the Corporate Strategy. This leadership and commitment can help to ensure that the Corporate Strategy is implemented effectively and that it is aligned with the organization's overall goals and objectives.

• Organizational Alignment: The Corporate Strategy should take into account the organization's unique strengths and weaknesses; distinctive capabilities and Core Competencies; and should be tailored to its Corporate Culture, Values, and way of working. This alignment can help to ensure that the Corporate Strategy is both achievable and sustainable—and that it can be implemented effectively without disrupting the organization's operations and processes.