Category: Foundations

The fundamentals of digital strategy, including the definition of digital strategy, the role of the digital strategist, how to build a digital strategy and the attributes that make a successful digital strategist

Herding Cats
Foundations

Episode 73: Herding Cats – How To Lead A Team Of Strategists

Independent. Contrarian. Brilliant. Difficult. Nimble. Aloof. The digital strategist may be a multi-disciplinary octopus, but in our everyday skins, we can also resemble our feline friends. We like to work alone and on our own schedule. We don’t like to follow the direction of others. We can come off as arrogant. We sometimes chase shiny objects. So how do you keep a team of strategists focused on working … Continue reading Episode 73: Herding Cats – How To Lead A Team Of Strategists

Unknown's avatarNasser SahloolLeave a comment
recruiting digital strategists
Foundations

Episode 72: Hiring Digital Strategists – What To Look For When Recruiting

Finding the right digital strategist to join your team is hard. Not only are you hiring in a competitive marketplace, it is incredibly difficult to evaluate the skills of individuals in this space. The word ‘strategist’ is overused to the point that it is almost meaningless. In any given interview for this role, I could find myself speaking with a salesperson or a technologist. And … Continue reading Episode 72: Hiring Digital Strategists – What To Look For When Recruiting

Unknown's avatarNasser SahloolLeave a comment
Know When To Move On
Foundations

Episode 71: Should I Stay Or Should I Go – Know When To Move On

You’ve had a bad day. Your project isn’t delivering. Your colleagues are grumpy. The client is being unreasonable. Your manager is disinterested. And when the phone rings, there’s a recruiter on the other end of the line, painting a vision of opportunity elsewhere. How do you know when to ignore the call of greener pastures and when to move on? There are two reasons why … Continue reading Episode 71: Should I Stay Or Should I Go – Know When To Move On

Unknown's avatarNasser SahloolLeave a comment
Inception Action
Foundations

Episode 70: From Inception To Action – Getting Things Done As A Digital Strategist

It’s the most common complaint about digital strategists. We swoop in, ask some questions, dictate direction and then leave it to others to implement. All too often, it’s a fair description of how many choose to conduct themselves. But without collective ownership of the strategy, it is unlikely to ever get implemented correctly, if at all. Without implementation, we can never prove the value of … Continue reading Episode 70: From Inception To Action – Getting Things Done As A Digital Strategist

Unknown's avatarNasser SahloolLeave a comment
Imposter Syndrome
Foundations

Episode 69: Do You Feel Like A Fraud? Why Imposter Syndrome Is A Good Thing For A Strategist

You’re halfway through your presentation and you feel good. Your audience is receptive, their body language positive and engaged. All except one person. He’s sitting with his arms crossed, defensive and with a troubled expression on his face. Suddenly, his expression changes, he leaps out of his chair and pointing at you, calls out ‘wait a second…he’s a fraud!’. Maybe this hasn’t happened to you. … Continue reading Episode 69: Do You Feel Like A Fraud? Why Imposter Syndrome Is A Good Thing For A Strategist

Unknown's avatarNasser Sahlool1 Comment
Mid-Career Switch
Foundations

Episode 68: Taking The Leap – Becoming A Digital Strategist Mid-Career

Our parents graduated, entered the workforce in their twenties, and stayed with the same organization, often in a similar field for the entirety of their careers. They were also often able to comfortably afford their own homes in their early twenties, but hey, it was a different time. Everything has since changed. The security that previous generations experienced in their work no longer exists. We … Continue reading Episode 68: Taking The Leap – Becoming A Digital Strategist Mid-Career

Unknown's avatarNasser SahloolLeave a comment
sun tau art of war digital strategy
Classical Strategists, Foundations

Episode 67: Sun Tzu – The Art Of War In The Age Of Digital Strategy

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” Preparation. It’s at the heart of the Art of War. The idea that knowledge is … Continue reading Episode 67: Sun Tzu – The Art Of War In The Age Of Digital Strategy

Unknown's avatarNasser Sahlool4 Comments
RIP Digital Strategist
Foundations

Episode 66: The Marketing Strategist – Is It Time For The Digital Strategist To Rest In Peace?

General Douglas MacArthur once famously said that ‘old soldiers never die; they just fade away’. Is it time for the digital strategist to just fade away? Have we reached the point of maturity and integration in our industry that there is no longer a need for our role? Should we now simply be considered as marketing strategists? Many episodes ago we discussed the future of … Continue reading Episode 66: The Marketing Strategist – Is It Time For The Digital Strategist To Rest In Peace?

Unknown's avatarNasser SahloolLeave a comment
Ulysses Classical Strategist
Classical Strategists, Foundations

Episode 65: Ulysses – The Strategic Lessons Of Grant

“The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on”. Ulysses S. Grant was an uncomplicated, plain-speaking man who had an exceptional career. The most acclaimed Union general of the American Civil War who went on to win election twice as the President of … Continue reading Episode 65: Ulysses – The Strategic Lessons Of Grant

Unknown's avatarNasser SahloolLeave a comment
Embrace The Chaos
Foundations

Episode 64: Embrace The Chaos – You Are Not In Control

“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked. “Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.” “How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice. “You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.” -Lewis Carroll, Alice In Wonderland If you need to be in control at all times, don’t choose this … Continue reading Episode 64: Embrace The Chaos – You Are Not In Control

Unknown's avatarNasser Sahlool1 Comment