How to Be a Six Minute Strategist 31 Jan 2012

8/3/2019 How to Be a Six Minute Strategist 31 Jan 2012

1/27

Business Strategy, Technology & Online Marketing

1
http://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/


2/27


Legal Disclaimer

The information in this book is for information purposes only.

I am not a lawyer or an accountant. Any legal or financial advice that I give is my opinion based on my own experience. Youshould always seek the advice of a professional before acting on something that I have published or recommended. Pleaseunderstand that there may be some links contained in this guide that I may benefit from financially.

The material in this guide may include information, products or services by third parties. Third Party Materials comprise of theproducts and opinions expressed by their owners. As such, I do not assume responsibility or liability for any Third Party

material or opinions.

The publication of such Third Party Materials does not constitute my guarantee of any information, instruction, opinion,products or services contained within the Third Party Material. The use of recommended Third Party Material does notguarantee any success and or earnings related to you or your business. Publication of such Third Party Material is simply arecommendation and an expression of my own opinion of that material.

No part of this publication shall be reproduced, transmitted, or sold in whole or in part in any form, without the prior writtenconsent of the author. All trademarks and registered trademarks appearing in this guide are the property of their respectiveowners.

Users of this guide are advised to do their own due diligence when it comes to making business decisions and all information,products, services that have been provided should be independently verified by your own qualified professionals. By readingthis guide, you agree that myself and my company are not responsible for the success or failure of your business decisionsrelating to any information presented in this guide.

2012 John B D Colley All Rights Reserved

2


3/27


How to Think like a Six Minute StrategistContents

Introduction

Principles of the Six Minute Strategist Methodology

How to use this Book

Top Down Analysis

Bottom Up Analysis

Frameworks and Mind Maps

Step Six - Taking it to the Next LevelGeneric Problem Appreciation and Solving

Six Minute Strategist Templates

Six Minute Strategist Pro - Members Area

Thank You

3
http://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/


4/27


Introduction

I was inspired to write this book by Tim Forrest (timforrest.com) who suggested thatI should try to produce a work sheet using my Six Minute Strategist methodology. Istarted with one sheet but soon realised that something a little more sophisticatedwas required. I am indebted to Tim for this Lightbulb moment.

I have been honing my Six Minute Strategist methodology for nearly two years andtry to use it as much as possible in my Blog as well as in my everyday advisory work.

I really hope this helps you with your thinking and problem solving and would reallylike to hear back from you with your views and ideas for improving the methodology.You can email me at [email protected]

I am not charging for this book and while I want to protect the copyright, it is

absolutely fine for you to share this with whoever you wish. Please do not changeanything in the book or my attribution.

Finally, I am very grateful for the time you have given me and your continuedinterest in the Six Minute Strategist community. I wish you every success with your

business

John B D Colley, The Six Minute Strategist

4
http://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/mailto:[email protected]://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


5/27


The principles of my methodology are very simple -

"One Issue, Six Points, in under Six Minutes"

Let me try to explain...Why Sixes?

While there is nothing special about six in itself, I found that it

has some advantage when thinking through issues.

1 It allows a sufficient level of complexity to analyse an issue.

If the issue is more complex then I simply create another leveland subdivide these into six more points each.

2 As a person who likes to think in pictures, the hexagon lends

itself well to creating a matrix of nested hexagons, what I callmy "Magic Hexagon" structure.

3 People have short attention spans and by limiting any

explanation to no more than six points it is possible to be bothclear and brief.

4 It is possible to communicate six points without too much

effort particularly if you set them out in the Magic Hexagonstructure.

5 Moving from simplicity to complexity within the structure is

easy once you have the initial structure.

6 This simple approach provides a framework to help youorganise your thoughts and in organising them help you to

think through the problem and arrive at an explanation orconclusion.

5


6/27


How to use this book

I have set out the methodology in the book with examples and blank templa tes. Ihope you will use the templates for your own problem solving. Please take this onlyas a preliminary guide and see how you can adapt the methodology for your own useand projects. I would love to hear about your ideas - please email me [email protected].

Selecting your starting point

You can literally start anywhere. Take the central Hexagon and write define yourstarting point. It might be a:

topic

issue

question

problem

subject

network

6


7/27


Top down Analysis

There are two ways to approach the main analysis, this is the first - top down.

Step 1 select a topic

Step 2 brain storm all the issues around this topic with the aim to select the principalsix points. Keep a note of all the "surplus" ideas you generate

Step 3 set these out in the first level hexagon structure

Step 4 For each of the level 1 hexagon points, brain storm the points/issues for eachof the points

Step 5 set the level 2 points in the next level of hexagons

Step 6 Take it to the next level of complexity; see the variations of Step 6 in due

course.

7


8/27


Lets take an example.

I sat down and recently composed a blog post on the subject

What is a Social Media Strategy for a Small Business?

In the space, brainstorm all the ideas you can think of relating to the core topic

Or just make a list on a piece of paper or a spreadsheet

8
http://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/


9/27


These are the main

Six Issues I came

up with....

Now taking your other

points, identify six major

additional topics for each

point here....

9


10/27


For each of the six topics I came up with....

!1.Objectives a.Answering the key questions; Why? b.Filling the sales funnel ; finding and converting sales leadsinto customers c.Find me, know me, like me, trust me, do business with me,evangelise me: becoming the trust agent, industryauthority or thought leader d.Inbound vs Outbound e.Skills f.Investment2.Your Home on the Web a.Hub and Spoke Strategy b.Harnessing technology - Wordpress c.Design d.The importance of Google/Search Engines and SEO e.Name and Branding f.Using Analytics3.What does your Site need a.Objective - inform and educate b.Home Page and Navigation c.Information about you - background, personal, friendly,contact information d.Blog e.eBooks/information f.Calls to Action

!4.Content Creation a.Text b.Audio c.Video d.Webinars e.Lead follow Up f.Building the List5.Social Media Engagement a.Facebook b.Google + c.YouTube d.Twitter e.LinkedIn f.Your site6.Monetisation a.What are you selling: local, national, information, service,products, b.eCommerce c.Bricks and Mortar d.Information Products e.Affiliates and Commissions f.Lead Generation

10


11/27


This is whatyou get....

when you put

it all together....

11


12/27


What if you don't know what your first six categories are, well try building yourMagic Hexagons from the Bottom Up

Step 1 Select your main topic.

Step 2 Make a list of every point you can think of relating to this topic. No limits ofnumbers or boundaries. Just brain dump all your thoughts. The only rule is to haveone point on each line. Use a spread sheet to do this.

Step 3 Once complete in a new column write down categories which suggestthemselves. The start to group all your points together. To start with don't try tocreate six categories.

Step 4 Once you have created these categories, refine them to create six principalcategories.

Step 5 Then for each category, refine your points to the six main ones, discardrepetition, merger similar points, keep extra ones for further analysis later.

Step 6 Move to step six below.

12


13/27


Frameworks and Mind Maps

You do not have to limit yourself to a 6x6matrix. As long as you keep to the mainprincipal (and have six points per issue) youcan group each hexagon in what ever way theconnections work best for you.

A good example of this can be demonstratedusing mind mapping software. Here you cancreate branches to multi levels of complexityand do not have to rely on symmetricalpatterns. Remember if an issue requires more

than six points, subdivide it to keep the

number of points to under six.I find this very helpful for planning mywebsite and when writing complex articles.

Each of these could be in a nested MagicHexagon off one another....

13


14/27


Step Six - Taking it to the Next Level

Having created your initial two dimensional matrix you can take the analysis to thenext level by using the six steps below alone or in combination to take your analysisto the next level of complexity.

Six A - Create the next level to create a 6-36-216 matrix or take one or two level towissues and create a separate hexagon for these by going back to step one either topdown or bottom up. As can be seen above, this is best achieved using mind mappingsoftware rather than hexagons in powerpoint or keynote.

Six BPros and Cons - Using a two colour scheme, red and green for example, filleach hexagon with one colour or the other to create an picture of pros and cons. Thiscan also be done in a list format and then sorted on 1 or 0 basis using a spreadsheet.

Having dissected the issue you can then weigh up the balance of the argument.

Six C SWOT - Using either lists (tag S,W,O,T) or the hexagons (using a four colour

scheme) label each of your 36 points to characterise your SWOT analysis.

Six D Prioritise A to F or 1 to 6 - For each hexagon prioritise each from one to six

in -order of importance. You can now. Tackle these issues in their order ofimportance.

14


15/27


Six E Categorisation

Overlaying another category structure onthe two level hexagon structure. Whereas pros and cons is a binary approach,SWOT is an approach with four options,the next step is to create a structure with

six variables.

This is a way of creating anotherdimension of complexity (six categoriesoverlaying your 6x6 matrix) rather thananother level of complexity (which

creates the 6-36-216 three level nested

Hexagon structure)Lets look at an example:

This grid shows how I categorise my

network contacts...

A -Chums

B -Colleagues

C -Competitors

D -Corporates

E -Professionals

F -Private Equity

1 2 3 4 5 6

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6

E1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6

F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6

15


16/27


Six E Categorisation (cont)

Over the initial categorisation, I haveapplied priorities, rated 1 to 6 to the36 variables and colour coded them.

This could reflect their importance tome, my likelihood of turning theminto customers, how well I like them.

Another way is to adapt the salesfunnel methodology

1= Find Me

2 = Know Me

3 = Like Me

4 = Trust Me

5 = Do Business with Me

6 = Evangelise Me

A -Chums

B -Colleagues

C -Competitors

D -Corporates

E -Professionals

F -Private Equity

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 1 1 1 1 1

5 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 3 1 1 1

3 6 5 6 6 4

3 3 3 3 3 3

4 6 2 5 5 5

1 = Low, 6= High

16


17/27


As a final exercise we can use the MagicHexagons as a tool for Generic ProblemAppreciation and Solving.

The six steps are:

1. Define the problem

2. Brian storm the variables - use the stepsabove to apply structure to the Six MinuteStrategist methodology to create thevariables for analysis

3. Prioritise variables. From step six

4. Evaluate options using Step Six of the

methodology above to aid your analysis,SWOT, Pro/Con, 1 to 6 etc.

5. Set out 2 to 6 potential solutions - usestep six again if necessary

6. Select Best Solution

17


18/27


Template: Level 1

Core Subject

.....................................

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

18


19/27


Template: Level 2 A

Core Subject

.....................................

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

19


20/27


Template: Level 2 B

Core Subject

.....................................

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

20


21/27


Template: Level 2 C

Core Subject

.....................................

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

21


22/27


Template: Level 2 D

Core Subject

.....................................

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

22


23/27


Template: Level 2 E

Core Subject

.....................................

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

23


24/27


Template: Level 2 F

Core Subject

.....................................

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

24


25/27


Template: Levels 1 and 2 Combined

2A 2B

2C

2D2E

2F

25


26/27


The Six Minute Strategist Pro - Members Area

If you enjoyed this book and my approach, you might like to know more about theSix Minute Strategist Pro, the area on my website for members where I share withyou all the detail of my knowledge and experience of Business Strategy, Online

Marketing and Business Technology.The members area will be launching in early 2012 and I will ensure there is a specialentry offer for subscribers to my email list. You can find this here; http://jbdcolley.com/join. Any offer will remain in place for the lifetime of yourmembership.

If there are any topics you feel you would like me to cover, please send me an email

to [email protected].

John Colley

The Six Minute Strategist

26
http://jbdcolley.com/joinhttp://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/joinhttp://jbdcolley.com/joinhttp://jbdcolley.com/joinhttp://jbdcolley.com/join


27/27


Thank You Very Much Indeed!I hope you have enjoyed this eBook as much as I have enjoyedwriting it for you. I am extremely grateful for your continuedsupport of the Six Minute Strategist Blog and Podcast and I hopeyou are enjoying the videos on YouTube as well!

I appreciate the most valuable thing you can give me is your timeand if you have a few extra moments I would really love to hearwhat you think about it.

Please email me at [email protected] or leave me a comment on myBlog at http://jbdcolley.com. I read every email and comment and it

would be great to get your feedback.

Finally, if you havent already you can follow me on twitter(@jbdcolley), find my podcast at http://jbdcolley.com/podcast, myYouTube channel at http://jbdcolley.com/YouTube. You can find me

on Facebook at http://jbdcolley.com/facebook. Thanks again and Iwish you every success

John Colley - The Six Minute Strategist
http://jbdcolley.com/YouTubehttp://jbdcolley.com/podcastmailto:[email protected]://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/http://jbdcolley.com/facebookhttp://jbdcolley.com/facebookhttp://jbdcolley.com/YouTubehttp://jbdcolley.com/YouTubehttp://jbdcolley.com/podcasthttp://jbdcolley.com/podcastmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

How to Be a Six Minute Strategist 31 Jan 2012

Documents

Transcript of How to Be a Six Minute Strategist 31 Jan 2012