Have you ever wondered why some corporations seem to have a knack for good decision-making, regardless of the prevailing economic environment? For any management team that seeks to create value during both prosperous periods and rough patches, having a clear and actionable plan as a guide certainly helps.

In this first of a series on corporate strategy, Fool contributor Asit Sharma discusses what investors should look for when evaluating the business strategies of public companies. In particular, Asit looks at Ford's corporate strategy, and why it's a great example of how a well-written statement of corporate goals can enable long-term success.