Vanilla Strategy

A vanilla strategy is a common or popular approach to investing or decision making in business. Although the concept is relatively basic, many investors succeed by sticking with a simple, proven strategy such as passive investing through broad exchange traded funds. Similarly, businesses can succeed through plain vanilla strategies such as focusing business lines in areas where there is a clear competitive advantage. In business, however, a vanilla strategy must allow for some innovation as competitive advantage can weaken over time for many products and services.