"Strategy" n: the planning and conduct of a campaign.                             

     (Strategy also contains "Logistics" = backup)

        You might notice that in a game of Rugby, the Players have practiced “Skills” in the art of ball handling and tackling. Knowing and doing what the Captain wants to do is also part of their "Skills" “Discipline” and or “Technique”.

        You might also notice that the Captain is giving instructions to his team in what “Tactics” he is about to use, and who will be involved. He is “Managing” the team on the field according to the “Plan” or “Strategy” the Coach has developed prior to the game.

         Everybody notices the Coach on the sidelines. He is sweating it out as he “Plans” to overcome some weakness he perceives in his team or in the opposition’s team.

       So, in any campaign – sport, business or war - there are these three necessary elements – “Technique” (Skill), “Tactics” (Management) and “Strategy” (Coach/Director/Generalship - the planning and conduct)

       Planning:

         There are two parts to a Coaches “Strategy” The “Strategy” he and the Captain and sometimes, the team as a whole, have “Planned” beforehand. This comes from knowing the opposition – their strengths and their weaknesses - and other variables.

         Conduct:

         The second part of the “Strategy’ is "Conduct" which is currently evolving as the game is played. The Coach sees and evaluates a weakness or strength and sends a runner to tell, either the Captain or the Player involved, what is happening and how to benefit from the situation as it unfolds.

         The Team, as a whole, has developed “Skills” and/or “Discipline” from practice and play. This is their “Technique”.

       The Captain has developed further skills in “Management” or “Tactics” requiring leadership qualities. Plus an ability to read the immediate needs of the state of play. He decides and manages the risks involved. In play “Risk Management”

       The Coach knows his Team and their capabilities. He has an ability to get the best out of the Team. He understands their “Technique” and the Captains ability to think up the “Tactics” on the run. He has an understanding of Sports Psychology. He also knows his own ability to focus on the Strategy or Game Plan and Conduct. He has all the Logistical support he needs to enhance his chance to have his team win.

       In all games or campaigns there are these three prerequisites, “Technique”, “Tactics” and “Strategy”. It is so, especially for team games for they are all competitive. They are all “War Games”.

         Croquet is a War Game - a Battle of wits or a Campaign involving wits (reasoning) rather than "biff". The difference between Team Sports and Croquet is that all of these three elements or attributes, “Technique” “Tactics” and “Strategy”, are all manifest in the one and the same person.

      This is where Croquet and a Small Business have a common ground. 80% of campaigns, either Croquet  or Small Business, fail for the lack of knowledge of "Tactics" and more so "Strategy" - the planning and conduct of the enterprise.

     The Croquet player – particularly in Singles – is not allowed to be instructed by a Captain, a Coach or anybody, during the game. He/She is on his/her own. Thus a skilled Croquet Player has to learn about “Tactics” and, even more so, the Art or Science of  “Strategy” with its attendant "Logistics"

 NB. In any game of life there are four stages through which we all pass in regards a "Skill"

1. Initially, before learning a skill we are said to be "unconsciously unskilled".

2. Then, in confronting something new we are said to be "consciously unskilled"

3. With coaching and practice we become "consciously skilled".

4. Finally, like riding a bicycle, we become "unconsciously skilled". In which case we don't have to think or reason about the skill. We just do it.

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         In most cases of employment, people sell their "skill" to an employer and leave the "Tactics" (Management) to others. 

       Similarly, in big business, Management leaves the Business "Strategy" to the Directors.

       Small Family Business (and Croquet) has to cop the lot. The Skills for the enterprise: the management of the enterprise and the planning, direction and logistics of the enterprise.

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        Consider:

        In Croquet, some people are not into "Tactics" in a big way: just playing socially for fun and exercise. They may get a bigger buzz by being on the committee as Management or being a Referee. Croquet caters for all types.

       If a person has no qualified professional or trade skill for sale, he might have potential management "Skills". In this case, it would be best for that person going into a Small Family Business to buy a "Franchise". He can buy in the "Skills", Manage the business himself, but can leave the "Strategy" to the Franchisor.      See KFC or MacDonald's

       There are these three elements in Croquet

         1.       “Technique”: Personal Ball Skills relating to disipline - focus.

         2.       “Tactics: Managing a break in progress, with precision play.

         3.       “Strategy”: Planning what to do in future and the conduct thereof.

       Strategy then, is to consider by thoughtful reasoning, the future Problems, Planning their Solutions and implementing their Conduction to a successful completion. 

      Consider:

1. Which ball shall I use?
2. What shall I do with it?
3. What happens if I miss?
4. How do I protect myself from the opposition making a break?
5. Do I attack or defend?
6. What is my percentage play?
7. Can I hit in at this distance?
8. Is it too dangerous?
9. Should I try for a Triple Peel.
10. If things get difficult should I stop the Triple?
11. What “Leave” should I plan for?
12. Am I watching for a wiring “Lift”
13. Should I play slow so the opposition gets cold?
14. Can I Psych myself up if things look bad?
15. Should I change to a heavier mallet?
16. Should I practice swinging while the “out” Player?
17. Should I take a Bisque?
18. Should I “set up” to force the weaker player to take a Bisque?
19. Who should take play in Doubles?
20. Should I ask my partner what would be best to do in the situation?
21. Should I disrupt my partner to give an opinion on play?
22. Should I go to the Peg and give “Contact”
23. Should I stop at Rover so to not be Pegged out?
24. Should I Peg out the Opposition with the Clips as they are?
25. Should I Peg out my ball with the opposition to make it a “One ball” game?
26. Should I play for time?
27. Should I consider speeding up for the last “In” near full time?
28. What to do on the last shot so opposition cannot win?

         These decisions are often made on the run.

        But prior to the Tournament or Club game a Croquet Player must first consider and “Plan” how much practice must go into the preparations.

  Should the Player get some Coaching in maneuvers in which he/she is not fully proficient?

  Should nutrition be checked?

  What are the Logistics involved?

The "Skill" required in Croquet is obviously different to normal Small Business. The “Tactics” (management) may differ slightly. But the art of "Strategy" – “Planning”, "Conduct" and “Logistics” that are involved are no different to that required by a Small Family Business.

  It is dogma of Small Business “If you fail to Plan you Plan to fail”

  The elements learned and understood by a Competent Competitive Croquet Player are ideal for the basis of a Small Family Business.

  So said Sir MacPherson Robertson KBE  (MacRobertson Chocolates and Airline) the outstanding Australian Small Business Entrepreneur