A strategy’s strength isn’t its length.
Your big idea doesn’t need a big document.
Just a clear one.
This $5 billion strategy below was only 14 words. So surely your strategic plan can be brief too. Because your strategy — however brilliant — is worthless if lost in translation or easily forgotten.
Now, the quick story behind this image. 👇🏽
In 1990, when Sega created the Sonic the Hedgehog game to compete with Nintendo’s dominant Mario franchise, a classic David vs. Goliath story emerged.
(Perhaps like some of you grassroots nonprofit leaders fundraising alongside international NGOs.)
How did Sega communicate its new strategy?
Not exhaustive spreadsheets.
Not endless presentations.
Not 50-page documents.
It was this simple battle plan.
Beautiful strategic thinking.
Turned into beautiful messaging.
And they won. Within two years, Sega captured 65% market share.
The takeaway for your brand?
It’s not only what strategy you’re communicating. It’s also how you’re communicating strategy.
Confidence speaks briefly.
Fear speaks at length.
💪🏽💛
The daily bonus
I just stumbled upon this site full of free resources for nonprofit leaders, from The Communications Network.
Storytelling for Good helps you harness the power of stories to increase the reach, resources and impact of your organization. It’s loaded with dozens (hundreds) of great articles in four categories: strategy, content, engagement, and evaluation.
Sneak peek
Coming up in tomorrow’s newsletter:
Future fundraising isn’t where you think.
🇨🇳 🇮🇳 🇮🇩 🇧🇷 🇲🇽 🇪🇬 🇳🇬
So how might you future-proof your fundraising strategy?