Three Things You Can Do NOW to Save Your Strategy
The final quarter has begun! Feeling energized? Or concerned?
If you wake up at night with your heart racing because you know your big strategy isn’t where it needs to be, you’re not alone.
You may be overwhelmed by a high-stakes strategy you launched earlier in the year that’s slipped off track. Or maybe you’ve been tagged to drive a brand-new initiative, and the pressure to deliver is already mounting.
With so much riding on it, the last thing you want is to see your strategy unravel. The clock is ticking.
Executing Is Hard
Ben Horowitz, Silicon Valley entrepreneur and author of “The Hard Thing About Hard Things,” cautions, “A good strategy poorly executed is worse than no strategy at all.” The reality is that most strategies falter not because they’re flawed but because they’re never fully realized. Its hard work!
Consider the Risks
We all know that no strategy is free of risks. But if you haven’t taken the time to analyze the risks you face—both external and internal—you could be blindsided.
As entrepreneurs, the Bible provides us plenty of encouragement to openly talk about and consider risks of a new strategy.
King Solomon guided us to ” Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land”. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2). And Jesus guided us to plan for risks in any new initiative ” Forwhich of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it’.” ( Luke 14:28)
Does your organization have a comfortable way to talk about risk?
Not talking about risk creates anxiety and can slow decision-making. Openly talking about risk can help your organization shift gears FASTER. It can even create a competitive advantage.
Don’t Forget the Human Element
One common mistake leaders make is to underestimate the PEOPLE side of their strategy. It’s easy to assume that once a strategy is designed and communicated, everyone will automatically fall in line and execute it perfectly. But this is where things often go wrong. Even GREAT strategies fail when people are confused, skeptical, or not aligned.
Now’s The Time to Act
The good news is that the year is not over. You have time to get things on track– especially if you start now!
Here are three actions you can take this quarter:
1. Clarify
Confusion kills momentum. Make sure there is zero ambiguity about the goals, the roles, and the timeline. Every person on your team should know exactly what’s at stake and how their work connects to the bigger picture. Don’t assume people understand—verify it.
2. Re-engage
You need key stakeholders involved and committed. If they’re disengaged or unsure, that uncertainty will spread like wildfire. Hold that conversation you’ve been avoiding.
3. Focus
Competing priorities, shiny new projects, or shifting goals will fragment your team’s energy and dilute results. Identify the core priorities that truly drive impact.
Why Not Reboot Your Strategy?
Whether you’re trying to salvage a high-stakes strategy or preparing to lead a critical new initiative in 2025, you don’t have to do it alone.
I’m holding half-day Strategy Reboot Workshops designed specifically for leaders like you who need a fresh perspective.
I’ll preview some of the content from my upcoming book, “Fast Track Your Big Idea: Navigate Risk, Move People to Action, and Avoid Your Strategy Going Off Course.”
This isn’t just a rah-rah session. It’s a hands-on, actionable workshop where you’ll gain new insights and tools to tackle some of your challenges — especially with the people side of risk —and to get on track.
This is your chance to take a breath, get some expert help and ensure you enter the new year strong.
Click on the button below to get yourself registered for The Strategy Reboot Workshop:
Now’s the Time
The fourth quarter isn’t only about what you’ve done. It’s about what you’re going to do.
By using this time to clarify, re-engage, and focus your energies.
You can trade those sleepless nights tossing and turning for the peace of mind of knowing your strategy is back on track and poised for success.
| This article is part of “Fast Track Insights”, providing practical ideas and tips to get results faster, whether you are driving a new strategy (or getting one back on track). I want to help you avoid common mistakes. Subscribe here to receive practical insights once or twice a month. To learn more about De-Risk System for Impact workshops and custom engagements, and my upcoming book, explore my website at www.gotomarketimpact.com. #strategy #riskmanagement #leadership This article was originally published at www.gotomarketimpact.blog |
SUSAN SCHRAMM is the Founder of Go To Market Impact LLC and Board Chair of the Nehemiah Entrepreneurship Community. Consultant, keynote speaker, and interim executive, she has helped hundreds of leaders in businesses, non-profits and associations, municipalities, and faith-based organizations successfully accelerate revenue and positive outcomes for employees, customers, and communities.
Susan has held executive roles with IBM, Siemens, and Nokia. She served on the board of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), as board vice-chair and Chief Marketing Officer of the Telecommunications Industry Association, and on the board of the YMCA. Susan frequently serves as a keynote speaker for industry, educational, leadership, and community programs.
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