If you're constantly busy but rarely in control, it's not a time problem — it's a strategy problem. Clear thinking creates calm execution.
The 7 Steps in Action
- Define the real problem.Get past symptoms like “low sales” or “slow growth.” Example: A wholesale business discovers its real issue isn't marketing — it's stockouts on bestsellers caused by poor forecasting.
- Break it down.Divide the challenge into parts: customers, products, pricing, operations, and enablers. Each becomes a lens for diagnosis.
- Find the facts that matter.Strategy isn't about drowning in data; it's about evidence for decisions. Simple metrics like margin by customer or SKU can change priorities overnight.
- Turn findings into insights.Ask: “So what does this actually mean?” Finding: online orders are up, but fulfilment errors are rising. Insight: scale is outpacing systems; fix process before adding ads.
- Tell a story people can back.People follow clarity, not complexity. Frame your strategy asProblem → Opportunity → Plan → Impact so everyone can see the logic.
- Drive real decisions.Put options side by side with trade-offs. Show cost, risk, and reward. When people understand the logic, they back the plan.
- Act boldly.Convert ideas into 3–5 strategic moves with clear owners, timelines, and metrics. Execution is where belief becomes momentum.
Why This Framework Works
- It creates focus: You move from scattered projects to a handful of critical moves.
- It builds confidence: Decisions are grounded in data and shared understanding.
- It reduces stress: A clear roadmap replaces firefighting with forward rhythm.
Applying It in Practice
Start with a 90-minute workshop. Write your problem on a whiteboard, break it into five buckets (Customer, Product, Pricing, Operations, Enablers), and spend ten minutes per bucket capturing issues and quick facts.
From there, identify 3 insights and 3 actions. Within a week, turn those into a one-page roadmap showing what you'll do, who owns it, and how progress will be tracked. That rhythm alone can transform how your business moves.
Rule of thumb: A great strategy is one your team can redraw on a napkin. If it takes 30 slides to explain, it won't survive first contact with Monday morning.
For a deeper understanding, explore the full 7-Step Strategy Framework article.