What Makes a Strategy Truly Work?

"A real strategy?

• Has trade-offs

• Has sequencing

• Says no to things

• Survives contact with a market

• Makes the business more predictable, not just busier

If your strategy can't survive a missed quarter, a key hire dropping out, or a bad week in ops, it’s not a strategy, it’s a wish."

Quote from Jonathan Crocker of Leverworks.

Let’s talk about strategy, or call it a gameplan if you wish.

Not the kind that fills PowerPoint slides with buzzwords or gets everyone nodding in a meeting, only to fizzle out when reality hits. A real strategy, as Jonathan puts it, is something else entirely; it’s a living, breathing plan that doesn’t just dream big, but actually delivers.

What separates a strategy that thrives and grows your business, from one that’s just a hopeful wish?. What makes a strategy work?.

Let’s break it down for the innovators, consultants, and coaches out there looking to steer their businesses with purpose.

A genuine strategy/gameplan starts with tough choices. It’s not about chasing every shiny opportunity, or saying yes to every idea that sounds good on paper. It’s about picking your battles, zeroing in on what will move the needle, and letting go of the rest. Think of it like packing for a cross-country hike: you can’t carry everything, so you choose the gear that’ll get you to the summit, not the stuff that feels nice to have but weighs you down.

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The Art of Timing

A strong gameplan lays out a clear sequence of moves; like a chess game where each step sets up the next. It’s not enough to know your destination; you need to know which bridge to cross first, when to push forward, and when to pause. For example - a tech startup might focus on nailing its core product before splashing out on a flashy marketing campaign. Get the order wrong, and you’re burning cash without any forward movement.

Saying no is another non-negotiable. This is where many plans go off the rails. It’s tempting to jump on every trend, or take on every project that promises growth, but a real gameplan has the guts to turn things down. Imagine a boutique consultancy refusing a lucrative but misaligned client project to stay true to its niche. That kind of focus builds credibility and keeps your team from spinning in circles.

Here’s the real test: a strategy worth its salt holds up when the market throws a curveball. A missed sales target, a star employee jumping ship, or a supply chain snag shouldn’t send your plan into a tailspin. Take a retail brand facing a sudden spike in shipping costs. A solid strategy might have a contingency, a plan B, like pre-negotiated supplier deals or a pivot to local markets, to keep things steady. If your plan can’t handle a bad week, it’s not a strategy, it’s a pipe dream.

A gameplan isn’t there to keep everyone busy. It’s about making your business predictable, not just packed with activity. A well-crafted plan creates a rhythm, so you’re not constantly putting out fires or chasing the next big thing. It’s the difference between a restaurant that thrives because it perfects a few signature dishes, versus one that scrambles to overhaul its menu every month.

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So, how do you build a strategy that checks all these boxes?

That’s where tools like PreEmpt.Life come in. This decision intelligence platform isn’t just another dashboard, it’s a seasoned advisor, helping you cut through the noise, prioritize what matters, and map out your next steps with confidence.

Whether you’re a strategist plotting a company’s growth, or a coach guiding clients through tough decisions, PreEmpt.Life gives you the clarity to make choices that stick, even when the market gets messy.

Are You Ready to Build a Strategy That Lasts?

Stop wishing and start planning with purpose.

Check out PreEmpt.Life to see how its decision intelligence tools can help you craft a gameplan that’s not just bold, but bulletproof.

And above all else - when you have your gameplan, don't just file it away or discuss it in meetings!

As Nike says: "Just Do It".