Most strategy is, unfortunately, bullshit.

Complicated.
Dense.
Timid.

And more concerned with "optimisation" and "efficiency" than what really matters:

-> Making a big move that's going to change the game.

That's real strategy.

The kind that builds categories of one.
Inspires teams.
Locks-in customers.
Is written about in books.
Turns executives into legends.

...and frankly turns our boring business lives into a true adventure.

(Because I don't know about you, but I'm not here to shuffle papers until I die)

No Bullshit Strategy is how you do it.

If you want to be able to:

- Read markets like a book
- Conjure innovations nobody saw coming
- Build companies with no competitors
- Inspire teams to follow you into the unknown

...then you're in the right place.

Start here 👇

To work with me to develop a strategy like this, or embed these skills into your organisation, learn more here:

👉 www.basicarts.org/work-with-alex/

To get my ultimate strategy document template (that forces you to think the right way), totally free, grab it here:

👉 www.basicarts.org/template

To read No Bullshit Strategy, that helps you master these skills for the price of a cocktail, and which is passed around in the halls of many of the world's top brands:

👉 Go wherever you get your books

For video deep dives on these topics, check out my YouTube:

👉 youtube.com/alexmhsmith

And if you're a small business or want to learn these techniques yourself (or to use on your clients - I don't mind!), then you've gotta see this:

👉 www.strategyshortcutsystem.com

Business is an adventure.
Strategy is the map.

Let’s set out.

Alex

Alex M H Smith

This isn't a post about AI.

This is a post about you.

Moreover, it's a post about how your brain solves problems - a process that's more weird than you think.

It works for me, hope it works for you too.
__

This idea first appeared in richer detail on my newsletter, The Hidden Path.

To subscribe for free, go here: https://lnkd.in/eJSPsGUf

No Bullsh*t Strategy | Courage, meaning, and creation in business | Speaker | Author

When I do (and don't) use AI

A "leader" is not just "a senior person in a business".

It's also not someone who's in charge of people.
Or someone with a team.

--- It's actually something very specific - and rare.

Are you one? The slides reveal all...

Hope you enjoy.

(and if you want to actually lead, start here: https://lnkd.in/eJSPsGUf )

Are you a leader or a manager?

A little while ago, a woman was asking me for advice regarding her small chain of baby care stores.

(Is that what you call them? Baby care? Baby equipment? Anyway you know, prams, bottles, and stuff)

So I asked her the first obvious question:

"Well, what makes you different?"

She thought for a while, and ultimately landed on the ultimate get-out-clause of differentiation:

"It would have to be our customer service!"

OK, cool, maybe that's true. So I probed a bit deeper, and asked:

"What exactly do you do to have such good customer service?"

At this there was silence. It took her a while to even process the idea that in order to have "exceptional" customer service, you must first DO something execeptional to create it. Otherwise, it's physically impossible, isn't it?

(Note that almost every business I speak to misses this point - she was in great company)

I gave an example:

"Well, for instance do you only shop staff who have been parents already? If you did, then for sure they would be able to provide deeper and more empathetic service than other stores, right?"

But no, she didn't do this. Her hiring practices were normal.

Eventually we established that there wasn't anything in particular that made it special - it just sort of "was" because she believed it to be true.

And this is true of almost EVERY claim EVERY business makes.

And this is why they find sales so difficult.

Because claims don't sell.
Facts sell.

Facts that make the claim self-evident.

Imagine if she did only hire people who'd already had kids. Wouldn't that be a cool story? Wouldn't that provide substance to her claims? Wouldn't that make you want to go to her store to buy your car seat or whatever?

For sure it would.

So your job is simple: create some facts.

Do some undeniable things, just like this, that make your claims superfluous. Creative, thoughtful, surprising things your competitors wouldn't do.

And then watch how much easier it becomes.

(P.S. this taks becomes a lot easier with this: www.basicarts.org/toolkit )

Facts not claims

Strange isn't it:

- Every company claims they're different.
- But we all know that very few truly are.

How is this possible?

Is it delusion?
Is it lies?

No, actually it's more complicated than that. It's a phenomenon we might call "fake differentiation".

And it's probably infecting your company right now.

Read on to spot it instantly.
__

This post is 100% AI-free.

And so is my weekly newsletter on bold strategic thinking, The Hidden Path.

Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/eJSPsGUf

Fake differentiation is everywhere

Most strategy is bullshit.

Quite literally.

Bullshit means “a bunch of fancy words which actually mean nothing at all”, and that sure does describe most strategy you come across.

Fortunately there’s a remedy: the three exercises in these slides.

Check them out, and see how your business stacks up.

__

P.S. These are the kinds of strategy hacks I’m releasing every week in my newsletter, The Hidden Path.

Join 28,000 other creative leaders right here: https://lnkd.in/eJSPsGUf

How you can tell if a strategy is actually bullshit

I heard Roger Martin say that he'd never seen any course or program that was dedicated to creating novel hypotheses.

A great point - and a pretty big problem given that this is how all REAL strategy starts.

So I decided to churn out 5 easy methods for doing just that.

Not saying the ideas will be "right".

But they will be "novel".

And that, ultimately, is what really counts.

___

There's plenty more where this came from via my newsletter that teaches entrepreneurial strategic thinking.

Subscribe for free, here: https://lnkd.in/eJSPsGUf

Reno Type

Sold Direct Marketing Solutions into: Home Services and Building and Construction/ Casino and Hospitality (Gaming)/ Creative/ Marketing Departments/ Non Profit/ Automotive/ Transportation/ Retail/ Finance/ Healthcare

Business Development Manager

HD Ships

Brought new business in that grew this Third Party Logistics Brokerage from less to a million a year revenue to nearly $3 million in revenue in 10 months

World Options USA

Account Manager

Toyota Walnut Creek

Business Dev in automotive, created synergies between sales and marketing in the retail automotive space

General Sales Manager

One Toyota of Oakland

Sales Finance Manager

Midas International

Manager

Elko Motor Company

Devise and offer tailored product solutions to customers based on a thorough understanding of customer needs and budgetary restrictions. 
Cultivate positive relationships with former clients through regular communication and outreach.
Identify potential customers with a goal of securing business amongst high-end clientele.
Strategize the placement of vehicles to maximize product visibility and generate consumer interest. 
Ensure the availability of outreach materials showcasing product information and details.

Automotive Consultant

Franklin and Company Local Tavern

Founded and grew a successful restaurant and bar with responsibility for all aspects of planning, operations and administration. 
Established business growth objectives and devised tailored sales initiatives to achieve those goals. 
Managed complex budgets and expenditures consistently identifying cost-saving initiatives and revenue maximization opportunities.
Led marketing and advertising efforts based on a strong understanding of targeted markets, public preferences and area trends. 
Recruited, hired and trained staff with attention to communication, teamwork and respect.

Operations Manager

Nunes Restaurant Consulting

Served in a multi-faceted role with responsibility for representing the Delius Restaurant, Café Sevillla, The Sky Room and the Wine Down Lounge, and Open Sesame Long Beach and Los Angeles locations. 
Acted as the primary wine specialist and certified beer expert for all assigned locations.
Offered new wine programs based on a superior understanding of available products as well as an awareness of each establishment’s targeted audience.

Owner/ Operator

Specialty Cellars

Represented small wineries and wholesalers effectively devising targeted strategies to place company products in retail and dining establishments. 
Identified and secured potential clients based on a strong understanding of available products and an ability to guide customers in the creation of comprehensive beverage programs.

Sales Manager

Business Development Consulting| Entrepreneurship Sales Solutions

I use the latest tactics in direct marketing to help clients achieve their goals.

I'm passionate about crafting engaging and effective marketing strategies that drive bottom-line growth.

 I excel in understanding and exceeding client expectations, ensuring that marketing efforts are aligned with their needs. 

Sommelier/ Cicerone expertise isn't just about tasting alcohol (in fact I don't even drink alcohol anymore!), it's also about the highest standards of customer service/ client interactions in the world, that are held to from advanced practicum within the guilds of study. 

Want to know how to not only market to your clientele but also treat them with the highest standards, and consult them through what it is you can help them accomplish? Let's talk.

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Alex M H Smith

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