Crafting and executing strategy are top$-$priority managerial tasks because

A$)$ how managers go about the tasks of crafting and executing strategy sends a message to shareholders and the entire investment community regarding "what it is we are trying to do and how we plan to achieve our objectives."

B$)$ The company is unlikely to be profitable unless senior executives have a clear answer to "where are we headed, how do we plan to get there, and when do we expect to arrive?"

C$)$ there is a compelling need for managers to proactively shape how the company's business will be conducted and because a strategy$-$focused organization is more likely to be a strong bottom$-$line performer.

D$)$ without clear guidance as to what the company's business model and strategy are, managerial decision$-$making is likely to be haphazard and inconsistent.

E$)$ a company cannot hope to be a market leader if all it does is respond to changing market conditions, new technologies, new opportunities, and threatening moves on the part of competitors.