Book excerpt: The Alpha Strategies is a framework of eight strategies common to all for-profit, not-for-profit, and public sector organizations, regardless of their size. The eight strategies are business definition, financial management, growth, marketing, organization management, research & development / technology, risk, and service delivery / manufacturing / production. For not-for-profits and public sector organizations, the business definition strategy is known as the mandate while marketing is typically called communications. The service delivery strategy is also known as production or as manufacturing, depending on the nature of an organizations business. The framework is dynamic in that there is a configuration of The Alpha Strategies unique to every organization. A characteristic of the framework is that one of the eight strategies leads the remaining seven and sets the culture for the organization. Understanding The Alpha Strategies is the key to understanding strategy, risk, and values in any organization. Visit www.thealphastrategies.com for more