2Bobs—with David C. Baker and Blair Enns Have We Hit Peak Strategy?
Jun 5, 2024
The podcast discusses the trend of service providers trying to raise prices by appearing more 'strategic', losing work to off-shore teams and AI. Topics include the evolution of strategy in creative industries, global workforce shifts, adapting strategies for success in changing markets, and navigating industry disruption and innovation.
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Strategy As A Price Signal
- Strategy became a way for service firms to charge for thinking instead of only for doing.
- That shift made firms more professional but also seeded positioning hacks where "strategy" was just a label.
Mechanic Example For Right-Sized Diagnosis
- Blair recalled a mechanic story illustrating appropriate professional diagnosis before fixing a problem.
- The mechanic example shows you shouldn't overdo research—just enough to correctly prescribe.
"Strategy" Became A Label Not A Pivot
- Many firms added "strategy" as a line item to signal higher value instead of changing their business model.
- That label often failed as clients simply crossed it out or compared all firms as 'strategic'.