Leadership Development

Strategy: A Needed Investment Strategy Transformation   “You’re going to see an expense hit my PCL…don’t freak out.” If you’ve ever listed to Dave Ramsey, you know he’s not one to throw money at initiatives without a clear return on investment. As a personal finance expert, bestselling author, and founder of Ramsey Solutions, Dave built his empire on discipline, financial responsibility, and high-performance leadership. When one of his top executives nonchalantly mentioned, “You’re going to see an expense hit my PCL…don’t freak out,” Dave’s skeptical response was, “You hired a guy to run a meeting?” But something remarkable happened over the following six months: productivity and revenue soared. This experience is a vivid reminder that a well-run strategy session isn’t an expense—it’s a catalyst for exponential growth. However, strategic planning meetings are often ineffective. Many teams struggle to make strategic offsites productive — leaders arrive unprepared, discussions lack structure, and sessions turn into status updates rather than meaningful planning exercises. Our approach ensures offsites are highly focused, actionable, and aligned with Schwab’s overarching strategy. Our Approach: Structured Strategy That Drives Results We use a simple yet powerful process to transform routine meetings into actionable growth engines: Pre-Offsite Discovery: We begin by aligning on the most pressing strategic By gathering data and conducting research ahead of time, we ensure that every minute of the session is focused on generating actionable insights. Team Insights: Team members are encouraged to share their perspectives in This preparatory work ensures that the session tackles genuine challenges and opportunities, turning a routine meeting into a meaningful dialogue. Offsite Facilitation: With an expert facilitator at the helm, the session is transformed into a highly structured Instead of just reviewing status updates, the team addresses well-defined strategic questions, emerging with clear goals and next steps. Plan Development: Together, we create a one-year roadmap with quarterly objectives and accountability measures. While long-term visions are important,   focusing on tangible short-term wins ensures that the strategy is both actionable and impactful. Follow-Up s Execution Support: We know that the real work happens after the Regular follow-up sessions help refine the strategy, cascade the plan across the organization, and keep every team member aligned with the overall vision. Our Impact: A Small Business’s Journey to 15% YOY Growth Last October, we put this approach into practice with a business that needed to refocus its target audience, services, and sales approach. Initially viewed as just another expense, our strategy session redefined their direction. The results were nothing short of transformative: Refined Target Audience: The business gained clarity on who their ideal customers were, enabling them to tailor their marketing efforts more effectively. Enhanced Service Offerings: By rethinking their services, they were able to better meet market demands, creating new opportunities for Revamped Sales Approach: With a sharper focus and a well-articulated sales strategy, the team was empowered to execute with greater precision and confidence. The outcome? A remarkable ~15% year-over-year growth in revenue to date. This isn’t just a success story—it’s proof that investing in a well-structured strategy session can set the stage for sustained measurable growth. The Takeaway From Dave Ramsey’s initial skepticism to the real-world impact seen with our small business client, the lesson is clear: A well-run strategy session is far more than a cost on your PCL—it’s an investment in your organization’s future. When done right, it transforms conversations into a clear, actionable roadmap that drives exponential growth. Are you ready to turn your next meeting into a strategic growth engine? Let’s connect and explore how we can help your business achieve the same transformative results.

When Bigger Isn’t Better Imagine this: you’ve just invested tens of thousands of dollars with a big-name consulting firm. You’ve endured months of meetings, lengthy slide decks, and promises of transformational change. But when it’s all over, you’re left with a generic plan that doesn’t address your unique challenges—and no clear way forward. This is exactly the situation a mid-sized business with 1,500 employees found themselves in. They turned to us after their experience with a multinational consulting firm left them frustrated, stuck, and uncertain about their next steps. Their story highlights a dilemma that many mid-sized businesses face: Should we trust the big firm? Should we try to solve this internally? Or is there another option—one that’s more personalized and focused on our needs? Here’s how we helped them find the clarity, guidance, and results they needed—when no one else could. The Problem: A Costly Engagement with Little to Show for It This company had partnered with a well-known, large consulting firm to develop a strategy they hoped would improve efficiency and align their teams. The firm’s name carried weight, and they assumed its size and reputation would translate into results. Instead, their experience revealed some major pitfalls of working with large consulting firms: They felt like just another As one of hundreds of clients the firm served, their business was treated as just another number. The firm applied a cookie-cutter approach, delivering a “strategy” that could have been handed to any company in any industry. The cost was They paid a premium for a global brand, but the solutions didn’t justify the expense. The engagement felt more focused on upselling services than solving real problems. Overhead and bureaucracy slowed things With layers of consultants running the day-to-day, decisions were slow, impersonal, and disconnected from their actual needs. No real guidance or follow-through. The firm delivered a high-level strategy, but it lacked diagnostics and actionable When it came time to implement, they were left to figure it out on their own. Ultimately, the engagement left them feeling disillusioned—and still struggling with inefficiencies and misaligned priorities.   The Solution: A Boutique Firm That Made Them a Priority When they turned to us, the first thing they asked was, “How will your approach be different?” Our answer was simple: we put clients first. Unlike large firms that juggle thousands of accounts, we work with a small number of clients at a time—meaning every client is treated as a priority. Here’s how we approached their challenges: We Started with a Deep Dive: Instead of applying a pre-packaged framework, we dug deep to understand their unique We facilitated workshops with key stakeholders, analyzed their operations, and uncovered the root issues driving inefficiencies and misaligned efforts. We Delivered a Custom Solution: We built a strategy tailored specifically to their needs. Every recommendation aligned with their goals, culture, and budget, ensuring the plan wasn’t just actionable but realistic and effective. We Guided Them Through Implementation: Unlike their previous experience, we didn’t leave them to figure out the execution on their We partnered with their team every step of the way, providing hands-on guidance to ensure the strategy was implemented smoothly and successfully. We Treated Them Like a Partner: To us, they weren’t just another engagement— they were a Because we only work with a handful of clients at a time, they had direct access to senior-level expertise throughout the entire process. Every interaction was personal, thoughtful, and focused on helping them succeed. The Results: Clarity, Alignment, and Real Outcomes By the end of our engagement, this company achieved the results they had been hoping for all along: Clear strategic priorities: Their leadership team was aligned on where to focus investments for maximum Improved operations: The strategy addressed inefficiencies at their root, resulting in better collaboration and productivity across Confidence in execution: With our hands-on support, they moved forward with clarity and purpose, confident in the path But beyond the measurable outcomes, what mattered most to them was the experience. For the first time, they felt truly heard and supported—something they hadn’t experienced with the larger firm.   Why Doing Nothing Isn’t Free This story highlights a critical reality for many mid-sized businesses: the cost of doing nothing is often higher than the cost of getting it right. Whether it’s inefficiencies, misaligned strategies, or opportunities slipping through the cracks, inaction can quietly erode your organization’s potential. And while it’s tempting to trust a big-name consulting firm, bigger doesn’t always mean better—especially if your business is treated like just another account. Why Boutique Firms Deliver Bigger Impact At StrengthsInsights, we take a different approach. We focus on delivering high-impact solutions tailored to your unique challenges—not cookie-cutter frameworks or generic advice. Here’s why mid-sized businesses choose us: Personalized Attention: You’re not one of thousands of You’re one of a select few we work with at a time, meaning you’re always a priority. Expertise Without the Overhead: With a lean structure, we dedicate senior- level talent to your business without the bloated costs of a large Results That Stick: We don’t just hand you a plan and walk We stay to help you implement it, ensuring measurable outcomes and long-term success. What’s Holding Your Business Back? If you’ve been frustrated by a lack of results—or hesitant to bring in outside help—we’re here to show you there’s a better way. Schedule a no-pressure consultation today, and let’s explore how we can help you achieve the outcomes you’ve been looking for.

Chick-fil-A vs McDonalds : Strategy Lessons When it comes to business strategy, two industry giants offer a masterclass in focus: McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A. Both serve fast food. Both are wildly successful. Yet, their strategies couldn’t be more different. ·        McDonald’s wins with speed and scale. Chick-fil-A wins with quality and McDonald’s aims to serve as many customers as quickly as possible, expanding globally with automation and cost efficiency. Chick-fil-A, on the other hand, prioritizes customer experience—keeping stores closed on Sundays, limiting expansion, and focusing on hospitality. Neither approach is wrong. What matters is clarity of vision and executing against it. The Tech Company That Found Its Focus Recently, one of my clients, a fast-growing tech company found themselves in a common trap: trying to sell to everyone. They had a great product, but their strategy was broad and unfocused. Their challenges: Targeting multiple industries without a clear ideal customer profile (ICP) Offering features that weren’t truly differentiating them from competitors Struggling to communicate their unique value The wake-up call? They realized success isn’t about trying to be everything to everyone—it’s about choosing who they serve best and doubling down. From Scattered to Strategic To fix this, they took a step back and redefined their approach: Reassessed their vision – What kind of company do they want to be in 5-10 years? Analyzed the marketplace – Where do they have a real edge against competitors? Refined their differentiation – Instead of competing on price or features alone, they repositioned around their true unique   Got clear on their ideal clients – No more marketing to They chose who to attract and built their messaging around that. With a clear strategy in place, the company quickly saw results. They streamlined their sales process, ensuring every interaction focused on their ideal client. Their marketing spend became more targeted, eliminating wasted efforts and improving conversion rates. Within months, they saw a surge in inbound interest, higher engagement from their ideal customers, and a significant uptick in revenue. By focusing on the right strategy, their growth is accelerating faster than ever. The Takeaway: Strategy is About Decisions McDonald’s doesn’t try to be Chick-fil- Chick-fil-A doesn’t try to be McDonald’s. Each company makes decisions aligned with their strategy—and that’s why they win. The same applies in tech, nonprofits, and any business. When an organization refines its approach, identifies its strengths, and focuses on the right customers, growth follows. Now is the time to get clear on your strategy and commit to executing it with focus. Refine Your Strategy Are you ready to refine your strategy? Need some help? Let’s connect and explore how we can help your business achieve the same transformative results.

The Leadership Math Problem You Can’t Ignore. Most companies don’t have a leadership problem. They have a bad leadership math problem. Consider these Gallup findings: 70% of team engagement is tied to their Only 10% of people have a natural talent for Companies that focus on strengths-based leadership see a 2G% increase in See the issue? Most leaders are promoted without leadership training, and businesses are paying the price—through disengagement, turnover, and lost profits. If you’re a leader (or developing leaders), these numbers should be a wake-up call. Here are five key leadership stats from Gallup—and what they mean for you: 70% of team engagement depends on their A bad manager isn’t just frustrating—it’s the #1 reason people quit. Leadership isn’t about having a title. It’s about creating an environment where people want to stay and perform at their best. What to do: Focus on coaching, not just Provide clear expectations and regular Build trust and autonomy—people work harder when they feel Only 10% of people have a natural talent for Most leaders aren’t “born”—they’re developed. But many companies promote based on performance in a previous role, not on leadership ability. What to do: Identify leadership potential, not just technical Invest in leadership development—coaching, mentoring, and Understand that leadership is about influence, not   Companies that focus on strengths-based leadership see a 2G% increase in Weakness-fixing is not a growth strategy. The most effective leaders lean into their natural strengths—and help their teams do the same. What to do: Identify and develop your own leadership strengths. Build teams where each member plays to their strengths. Stop trying to “fix” people—position them where they thrive. Only 22% of employees strongly agree their leaders have a clear direction for the If your team doesn’t understand the strategy, how can they execute it? What to do: Communicate strategy clearly and often—not just at annual Connect daily work to big-picture goals so employees see their Ask your team: “What’s our #1 priority right now?” If they can’t answer, you have a clarity Teams with high engagement see 21% higher profitability and 5G% less Engagement isn’t about perks. It’s about leaders who create trust, purpose, and autonomy. What to do: Give employees ownership over their Recognize and reward contributions beyond just hitting Prioritize psychological safety—people perform better when they feel safe to speak Final Thought: Great leaders don’t guess. They measure, adapt, and build cultures where people want to stay and succeed. If leadership isn’t a priority in your company, these numbers should make you rethink that. How is your organization developing its leaders? P.S. Need help building a strengths-based leadership strategy? Let’s talk