Always start by defining terms.  It sounds sensible and straightforward – especially with a subject like strategy which has been studied from every angle.

But it is not.

In 1987 Henry Mintzberg offered five definitions of strategy for consideration: plan, ploy, pattern, position and perspective. Strategy is perhaps most commonly envisaged as a plan -- consciously intended action developed in advance. A related concept is strategy as a ploy – a specific manoeuvre designed to outfox opponents.  Strategy as pattern –the focus of much of Mintzberg's research – is a consistency of behavior intended or otherwise.  Strategy can be a . . .