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HBR IdeaCast

Why You Need to Stress Test Your Strategies (and Tactics)

Jun 4, 2024
Arjun Singh, a consultant and adjunct professor at SMU, specializes in corporate war games. He discusses the importance of stress-testing strategies using military-inspired war gaming to enhance organizational resilience. Singh highlights how companies can better anticipate competitors and market changes through this approach. He also shares insights on crafting actionable playbooks post-war games, emphasizing collaboration and agility. Real-world scenarios, like those influenced by COVID-19, underscore the necessity for adaptability in business strategy.
28:39

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Corporate war gaming helps stress test strategies by simulating competitive scenarios and competitor actions.
  • War gaming at different organizational levels aids in market positioning, competitive advantage, and decision-making.

Deep dives

The Concept of Corporate War Gaming

Corporate war gaming is a strategic planning technique borrowed from the military that allows companies to stress test their strategies by simulating competitive scenarios. Unlike traditional scenario planning, war gaming involves considering not only possible outcomes but also the likely actions of competitors and stakeholders. By delving deeper into competitor actions and responses, companies can move beyond theoretical exercises to develop actionable strategies that reflect real-world competitive dynamics.

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