can create a plan but I believe a strategy requires relevant expertise. Going grocery shopping Here's an example to illustrate how I see the difference. Having a plan is like going to the grocery store with a list, you identify what you want and need, write it down and check it off as you collect each item. You may have certain goals in mind such as weight loss but they may not be used to filter your choices -- or at least not all of them. Grocery shopping with a strategy would involve establishing health objectives or perhaps reflect your personal values, developing a menu plan and making your buying choices based upon the carefully considered decisions you have made. You would also consider if you needed to go to the grocery store at all or at least determine which items make the most sense for you to buy there. You may instead prefer to make some of your purchases at a farmer's market or other local food source, a specialty vendor such as a butcher or a cheese shop or maybe even grow your own food. You may also make other choices like paying a premium for products with less processing. Communicating without a strategy While it's true that both options are better than walking into the grocery store without a list -- especially if you are hungry -- having a strategy behind your shopping is a definite improvement over simply having a list. Too often an organization's approach