Is Your Business Strategy Ready to Reach the Next Level?

Let's be direct! There are two kinds of leaders: those who react and those who anticipate. Those who chase after results and those who shape them. So, let me ask you: which side are you on?

Peter Drucker, often called the "father of modern management," once said: "The best way to predict the future is to create it." But let’s be honest—how many of us spend our time putting out fires instead of building a sustainable future?

It’s time to reset. This article takes you through 4 strategic pillars, inspired by brilliant minds like Peter Drucker, Verne Harnish , Jim Collins, and others. The goal? To help you transform your business and climb to the top.

1. Aim for clarity, not complexity (thanks, Jim Collins)

In Good to Great, Jim Collins reminds us of a fundamental truth: companies that move from "good" to "great" don’t complicate their strategies. They identify what they do better than anyone else and focus on it with relentless discipline.

One inspiring example is Southwest Airlines. The company decided to become the go-to provider of low-cost flights in America. How? By simplifying everything: one type of plane to reduce costs, a service focused on speed, and a refusal to diversify into unprofitable segments. The result? Sustainable growth where so many others failed.

?? Your exercise: Ask yourself this critical question: "What is the core of our business, and how can we make it even simpler and more effective?"

A strategy isn’t a list of good ideas. It’s a laser beam that should guide your actions.

2. Focus on the "main domino" (thanks, Verne Harnish)

In Scaling Up, Verne Harnish introduces a concept I love: the "main domino." The idea is simple: among all your priorities, which one will have the greatest snowball effect if executed perfectly?

Take Jeff Bezos and Amazon, for example. In the early days, Bezos poured all his energy into one priority: delivering the best customer experience in the world. Fast shipping, competitive pricing, and an obsession with customer satisfaction. Everything else—from technology to new products—aligned with this main goal.

?? Your exercise: List your top 5 priorities. Now ask yourself: "Which one, if executed flawlessly, will make the others easier or less relevant?"

3. Culture as the strategic foundation (thanks, Peter Drucker)

Peter Drucker famously said: "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." A business can never rise above the strength of its culture or values.

A fantastic example is Netflix. Its strategy revolves around constant innovation. But what makes this possible is a culture of transparency and individual accountability. At Netflix, employees are encouraged to take risks, learn from failures, and share bold ideas without fear.

?? Your exercise: Ask yourself if your company culture supports or hinders your strategy.

• Are your employees aligned with your values?
• Do you foster initiative that supports your goals?
• Have you established rituals to reinforce the culture you want to build?

4. Micro-actions for macro-results (thanks, James Clear)

In Atomic Habits, James Clear reminds us that great successes don’t come from sudden, massive changes but from small, consistent adjustments over time.

If you want to transform your business, start with micro-habits within your organization. For example:

• Introduce a short weekly briefing to track progress on your priorities.
• Start a daily ritual where team members share small wins.
• Reward behaviors aligned with your strategic vision, even symbolically.

?? A concrete example: Toyota’s famous "Kaizen" production system revolutionized the automotive industry. How? By fostering a culture of continuous improvement through small, daily adjustments made by every employee.

5. Leaders who listen (and learn) always win

John Maxwell said: "A leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." But that path can’t be charted without actively listening to your market, your team, and your customers.

Take Howard Schultz, the founder of Starbucks. When he returned to the company in 2008, it was in crisis. His first action? Organize meetings with employees and customers to understand the real problems. Thanks to this listening approach, he refocused the strategy on customer experience and product quality. The rest is history.

?? Your exercise: Dedicate time each week to actively listening to your customers, teams, and partners. Their feedback is a strategic goldmine often left untapped.

Conclusion: Strategy is a dance, not a sprint.

Creating a winning strategy is an art. It requires reflection, courage, and the ability to constantly return to the essentials. As Sun Tzu said in The Art of War: "Victory belongs to those who know when to fight and when to wait."

Now it’s your turn:

• What priority deserves your immediate focus?
• How will you simplify your vision to amplify its impact?

Share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to discuss what’s working (or not) in your businesses. ??