I've Spent 15 Years Studying Strategy. Here's What I've Learned.

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The biggest trap businesses fall into? Overcomplicating their strategy.

It’s tempting to tackle everything at once—grand plans, endless initiatives, and a mountain of metrics. But this complexity often leads to failure. Let’s explore six key lessons I’ve learned from years of crafting strategies, turning around companies, and creating billions in value.

By following these lessons, you can transform your business with clarity and purpose.

1. Keep Strategy Simple

Lesson: Strategy isn’t about complexity; it’s about focus.

Strategy boils down to a simple, interrelated set of choices:

• Where will you compete?

• How will you compete?

• How will you win?

Think of strategy as a mechanism to focus your energy on solving your biggest constraint and driving the greatest value. At Coltivar, we simplify this into a strategy blueprint with core components: purpose, principles, strategic problem, market focus, competitive behavior, and strategic narrative.

Success doesn’t come from layers of jargon and 55-step plans—it comes from simplicity.

2. Data Is Valuable, But Don’t Overdo It

Lesson: Data paralysis will stall your strategy.

Yes, data matters. Yes, trends are worth noting. But waiting for perfect data or spending heavily on future predictions can derail your progress. Use historical performance and macro trends to inform your decisions, but avoid the trap of “paralysis by analysis.”

Focus on solving today’s problems with clear, actionable insights rather than trying to foresee the unforeseeable.

3. Forget Predictions—Build a Repeatable System

Lesson: Strategies based on predictions are risky at best.

No one can predict the future. Frameworks that attempt to forecast the next 10 years will crumble when faced with unexpected events like a pandemic, economic crisis, or sudden market shifts. Instead, implement a repeatable system to identify constraints, set initiatives, and execute actions that adapt to changing conditions.

At Coltivar, our system is designed to be flexible and resilient, ensuring value creation in any scenario.

4. Strategy Is an Ongoing Process

Lesson: Strategy is not a one-day event.

Some companies treat strategy as a once-a-year retreat exercise. That’s a mistake. Strategy and operations are deeply interconnected. A successful strategy requires continuous monitoring, iteration, and adjustment.

Adopt the build-measure-learn cycle: implement your plan, measure outcomes, and refine as needed. Make strategy part of your daily conversation—not just a document collecting dust.

5. Focus on Fewer Initiatives

Lesson: Less is more.

Ambitious leaders often take on too much. A dozen initiatives, countless KPIs, and endless actions can paralyze execution. Instead, start small: focus on three to five key initiatives at most.

Simplicity increases clarity, which leads to better execution. Once you master a smaller scope, you can expand. Resist the urge to do everything at once.

6. Great Strategies Fail Without Execution

Lesson: Execution is everything.

A brilliant strategy is meaningless if it’s poorly executed. That’s where our IAR framework (Initiatives, Actions, Results) comes in:

• Initiatives: The high-level actions to overcome your strategic problem.

• Actions: The steps needed to drive those initiatives forward.

• Results: The measurable outcomes that track your progress.

This framework ensures your team knows what to focus on, how to act, and how success will be measured.

Avoid the Traps, Drive Results

Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked with companies of all sizes across countless industries, learning what works and what doesn’t. These six lessons have guided me to success—and they can help you avoid common pitfalls in your business strategy.

If you’re ready to simplify, execute, and grow, let’s connect. Visit Coltivar.com to learn more about how we can help you build a more profitable and iconic company.

Cheers to your success!