Strategy: what is it, really?
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being interviewed for Susan Tatum’s Stop the Noise podcast. This is a business podcast that I listen to, learn from, and apply to our business. So it was a pleasure to speak to the thoughtful, great question-asker, Susan.
When we did our pre-interview, she asked me a few head-scratching questions, and I had to go away and do some additional reflecting to respond well. This is the sign of an interesting and meaningful conversation!
In short, we answered a foundational, core question in this 27-minute interview: business strategy: what is it, really?
Answer: it’s not what you think… Take a listen in Spotify!
Here’s an outline of the conversation:
- What does strategy mean?
- How we use the Ellevated Outcomes Future Framework to set boundaries for your business strategy
- Where are your product, services, and pricing affecting your profitability?
- How to make 50% more and work 30% less.
- Spotting pain points in your current business strategy that will impact your future.
A few notes from the show… strategy: what is
When working with a new client, [Ellevated Outcomes] applies their “Future Framework,” outlining the business’s mission, vision, and operating principles. Clients then go through a 5-step Profitability Analysis to understand what products and services the business should be offering at what price, which then allows navigation through product and pricing changes that should take place.
Julie launched the course, How to Price Your Products and Services, available on demand, to educate businesses of this key part in their analysis. Julie finds that 80-90% of her clients’ problems are directly related to products and pricing and they have no idea. Her business works to get clients off that hamster wheel and working profitably and she shares some tips [in our interview] on how to identify what’s happening before you feel the pain.
PS – if you own a professional services small business and relational business development is one of the 3 priorities in your strategy, I really recommend that you follow Susan’s work at the Conversion Company. Her approach is thoughtful, authentic, and organized.
Thank you, Susan, for having me as your guest!
