Most "strategy" is bullsh*t.

Complicated.
Dense.
Timid.

And fundamentally incapable of doing the job it's meant to do: inspiring bold action that creates incredible results.

Great strategy is simple.

It's clear.
It's brave.
It's mischievous.

You can explain it to anyone, and they won't only "get it"; they'll be energised by it.

Follow me if you want to learn how to do strategy this way.

Here's how:

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1. Work with me

Each year, I work with 10 clients, and do a number of speaking engagements.

This is for brands who are ready to cut through complexity, and make waves in their market with confidence and clarity.

I’m with you every step.

If this might be you, drop me a DM or check out www.basicarts.org/work-with-alex/ 

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2. Get a new strategy technique every week

...by joining 25,000+ others  in the best strategic thinking community on the internet, The Hidden Path. You'll also get two free tools to sharpen and tidy your thinking. Just go here:

www.basicarts.org/template

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3. Master the basics for the price of a cocktail

...by reading my book, No Bullsh*t Strategy. It'll teach you everything you need to know in one 138 page hit.

Just search for it on Amazon, or wherever you like to buy books.

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4. Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly masterclasses

You'll find it here: youtube.com/alexmhsmith

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5. If you're a small business or strategy pro...

...then you can get my entire approach, ready to roll, in the Strategy Shortcut System. Use it on your own business, use it on your clients - either way it's the fastest and funnest way of getting competitive advantage on the planet.

www.strategyshortcutsystem.com

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Never forget, business should be an adventure.

And strategy?  It’s the map.

Let's set out.

Alex

Alex M H Smith

Are there more important strategy skills than these?

Sure. But that's the boring stuff.

Here, I wanted to create a list of less obvious things. The skills people don't tend to talk about, but which I think are pretty damn useful.

Here's a brief explanation of each.

1. Writing well

Writing is thinking that you can share. And this is pretty much the whole of what strategy is - thinking then sharing it - so honestly, you can't do without this.

2. Feeling comfortable generalising

Strategy is about zoomed-out, big-picture perspectives. And that means painting with a broad brush. Some people don't feel comfortable doing this, and so strategy isn't for them.

3. Being a teensy bit negative

If you're doing strategy, you're trying to improve something. Which must begin with noticing what's wrong with it. You can't be a cheerleader for something, and change its path.

4. An eye for aesthetics

Partially this is about pattern-spotting (a core strategy skill). But it's also about influence. If you want to persuade people, then make it pretty.

5. A sense of humour

Yes, it helps with rapport - but more importantly humour comes from observation and lateral thinking. I don't really see how you can be a good strategist without being kinda funny.

6. Being a PowerPoint master

Oh man do I love PowerPoint (or Keynote in my case). And you've got to. Knowing the art of pleasing rhythmic presentations is huge, since this is how you're probably going to sell your idea.

7. Kindness and warmth

People won't listen to you if they don't like you.

8. Radical simplification

My favourite strategy question to ask is "give me this gist". Being able to simplify to the gist shows understanding, and drives clarity.

9. Curiosity

You need to just be generally interested in random "stuff", and gather it in the library of your mind - since you never know when the most obscure thing might come in handy.

10. An authoritarian streak

Hey, you don't have to like it, but eventually you're going to need to tell people what to do. Many great thinkers have been undone by not having the confidence to do this.

11. A distaste for perfectionism

A great strategy is always a bit of a punt, that might not stand up to minute scrutiny. So sometimes it's best to just trust your gut, and see how it goes.

12. A touch of cynicism

You are trying to work with how the world is - not how you wish it would be. So you need to be a realist about human nature, and the darker side of the world.

13. The ability to touch-type

This means you can write as quick as you can think. Insanely underrated.

14. Understanding branding

Most strategy is not branding - but a bit of it is, and it's the less "rational" part. You can't truly understand market dynamics without it.

15. Storytelling

A strategy, in the end, is a story. And it will work to the extent people are captured by it.

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Got any more? Put em in the comments.

Refine all these skills, for free, here: https://lnkd.in/eJSPsGUf

No Bullsh*t Strategy | Helping the world’s most iconic brands make smarter, braver decisions | Author | Advisor | Speaker

Marc Bovenzi

Cunvert

Founder

MegaFans eSports

• Assisted with digital marketing initiatives at Megafans that led to a 37% increase in user acquisition.
• Implemented lead generation tactics to identify and attract potential customers.

Digital Marketing Strategist

ISKRA

•  Assisted with digital marketing initiatives at ISKRA that led to a 85% increase in user acquisition.
•  Executed email marketing campaigns to nurture leads and drive customer acquisition.

Growth Marketing Manager, Global Division 

ClinicTracker EHR

• Generated 30-60 SQLs consistently on a $10,000 monthly budget via Google Ads & LinkedIn Ads.
• Successfully managed a marketing budget increase at JAG Products from $3K to $10K per month, contributing to a substantial revenue growth trajectory: from $152K in 2016 to $1.2M in 2020, showcasing consistent year-over-year revenue escalation.
• Managed end-to-end campaign processes, including planning, execution, and performance analysis.

Digital Marketing Specialist | B2B SaaS

United States Air Force

• Received Letter of Appreciation from Commander for being a “28th Maintenance Squadron Outstanding Performer” for directly contributing to the wing earning an “Excellent” rating by the Air Combat Command Inspector General team.
•  Named “Outstanding Performer” for 28th Maintenance Squadron during Wing Safety Inspection with zero discrepancies found when I served as Production Support Program Manager.
•  Served as a trained Security Forces volunteer
•  Part of squadron activity council fundraiser team

Primary responsibility was service, maintenance & inspections of aircraft support equipment. I also was a Production Support Program Manager for a year while person was deployed.

Aerospace Ground Equipment Mechanic Journeyman

I write about marketing software tools, & other beneficial marketing topics including AI to help grow your career or business. Visit my blog for insightful content! 👇🏼

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Head of Business Development

• Performed revenue-generating activities: ads, affiliate programs, tournaments, and NFT/Token sales to achieve KPI goals.
• Served as a key executive team member that sets the company’s strategic direction.
• Lead people to create a high-engagement and high-performance culture through continuous feedback, appraisal, and coaching.

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