"The first book of its kind to focus exclusively on strategy as it applies to postsecondary education, Managing the Big Picture in Colleges and Universities is actually a road map of strategy creation and execution for leaders and decision makers who, by choice or by necessity, are looking to optimize the development of their institutions. As the authors explain, strategy is a systematic way of positioning an institution within a context of community stakeholders. In today's competitive environment, higher education leaders must become adept at differentiating their institutions from competitors to obtain the resources necessary for growth and sustainable advantage.". "In the past, colleges and universities relied on "small picture" tactics to determine institutional direction. Even now, many institutions are missing a "big picture" approach to leadership and management. In an environment where business continues to aggressively optimize the opportunities it sees in higher education, institutional leaders must adopt a more strategic approach to guiding colleges and universities into the future. Strategy must become an essential part of the organizational architecture of every college and university."--BOOK JACKET.