What if you could lead a strategy engagement without your mind just arbitrarily shutting you down?In this episode, I want to talk about how fear, or overwhelm, or anxiety, or overthinking can stall the very, very best people — the people most well-suited to being strategists — and prevent them from even making a start. Along with some of the things that we can do to get around that so that we give ourselves the best opportunity to make moves forward and take part in a vocation or a career that we are uniquely suited to, and one within which we can be incredibly successful.Want to join the discussion? Hear more like this?Join me in the Simpligy Collective, the free community for leaders and strategists, the thinkers, analytical personalities, and creatively frustrated who know there's more freedom and enjoyment available within your business but don't want to reinvent the wheel with every decision.It's free. I hope to see you on the inside: https://simpligycollective.com  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simpligy.substack.com

Hey Strategists,  In this episode, I’m going to talk about the three different types of thinking for strategists and the superpower that you already have at your fingertips if you just start using it.  As strategists, our strength is helping clients - or even our own businesses - identify and understand either new problems to be solved or new opportunities to be exploited.  And, the quality of the thinking that goes into such choices is the most important element of the quality and success of a company’s strategy.  But, the problem is that there are several different ways of thinking that we typically employ when trying to think strategically.  Each is valuable, and important in certain circumstances but, the wrong two are the ones most utilized when applying  "strategic" thinking in a business environment.  Want to chat more about this or other strategy and facilitation questions?   Join me in the https://simpligycollective.com/ The Simpligy Collective gives entrepreneurs, business leaders, and strategists the tools, processes, and confidence to facilitate strategy consulting as a strategic partner and, instead of responding to client demands, advise and direct them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simpligy.substack.com

On the surface, that seems totally contradictory. We're introverts. We don't want community, right!?Well, in reality, the exact opposite is true. We ALL need community, it's just that, as introverts, we experience it differently, and we need some more control over when and how to interact.And, the good news is, we have amazing community opportunities that actually do give us total control over our own energy and how much of it we allow to be controlled by them.And, if you're looking for a community, and you don't know where to start, I humbly invite you to join mine, the Simpligy Collective. It's free, there's no hard sells or anything like that, just an environment where I want to give real value to people who can benefit from it.You don't have to be a member of any of our programs, the Simpligy Collective is designed to be a home for the thinkers, the analytical personalities, and the creatively frustrated entrepreneurs and strategy consultants looking for perspective and direction to help you plan and move to the right next steps for your business.You can learn more and join for free at https://simpligycollective.comI hope to see you on the inside. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simpligy.substack.com

Hey strategists, I’ve got a special one for you today, I’m going to show you how to assemble your Brand's Origin Story step by step.We'll go through the four distinct elements of the story, show you where to get the content for each, and even give you an example for each step to follow along. Break out your digital whiteboard software, your text document, or even a simple notepad, and let's get going.-----------And if you want to learn how to lead your clients through a complete Messaging Sprint, and become a brand and messaging strategist, you'll want to grab our Canadian Thanksgiving bundle:The Brand Sprint Blueprint and the Messaging Sprint Kit bundle for $500 off the already discounted bundle price, until Monday, October 11th, 2021 (Canadian Thanksgiving).Use the coupon code: GiveThanks here to grab the bundle for the cheapest it will ever be offered.>>Click here to get your $500 discount before it's too late. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simpligy.substack.com

In this episode, I'd like to talk to you about how important is it for you as a strategist - whether that’s you as the leader of your organization or you’re selling and facilitating strategy for your clients - the importance of having your own business coach or business mentor.There are a lot of people offering this type of service and, of course, you have resources that you can take advantage of without signing up with the coach, like YouTube and blogs etc.But, at some point, you’re going to get to a question that can’t be answered in a YouTube comment section and that’s an interesting inflection point for most people.Want to chat more about this or other strategy and facilitation questions? Join me in the https://simpligycollective.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simpligy.substack.com

Overthinking is what’s stopping you becoming a great strategistBut, overthinking is also what MAKES you a great strategist.What you need to do is harness that overthinking into a problem-solving process, rather than just letting it sabotage you from ever moving forward.And that’s what’s so exciting to me because, all of those reasons that your mind is volunteering, all of that overthinking, all of that follow down the rabbit hole that your mind is doing, is actually proving your abilities as a strategist.In fact, I think that overthinking is probably the number one skill a strategist can have.The trick is to redirect that overthinking into solving the problem.That’s what we’re doing as strategists. We’re identifying and solving problems in patterns of data that others can’t see.A stubborn overthinker is born for that! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simpligy.substack.com

In this episode, I want to give you all the details on how to write your Value Proposition today.I know these can feel overwhelming because it's so easy to second guess every little thing, but you can assemble the parts to this and have a finished version, ready for testing, today.I originally discovered this format in a book called, Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore but, it’s been used and modified several times for both Value Propositions and Positioning Statements by different people over the years.For {target} who {statement of the need or opportunity}, {Name} is {product category} that {statement of benefit}Typically, when we lead a client through this, it’s later in the process so, there are certain elements that we’ve already gone over, like brand values, personality, ideal client definitions, etc.If you don't have those elements handy, though, don't worry. It's still worth the exercise to uncover where your own brand knowledge is lacking.And, if you're doing this for a client, this is a perfect start to your roadmap of required strategic work!Here's the worksheet. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simpligy.substack.com

We “create” solutions and develop understanding in every aspect of our life: career, relationships, environment, etc. Every waking moment and even in our dreams. ⁠‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍⁠So, creativity is a natural part of our life.⁠‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍⁠But, how do you develop it?⁠‍‍‍‍Tune in to find out in this episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simpligy.substack.com

The biggest mistake in product development is undoubtedly developing a product or service based on a big idea. And, the problem with that process is that, an idea doesn’t understand the real user’s needs until it’s been rolled out and tested.So, it becomes this constant process of guessing and iteration.There are some processes that attempt to solve that issue, like a design sprint, but, even then, they are beginning from an idea.In this episode, I want to talk about what to do instead to begin from the market’s real needs and then develop the idea that will lead to the solution for those problems.LINKS:Review Mining Tutorial: https://youtu.be/gte7rIA8aFYProduct Sprint Blueprint Early Access: https://productsprintblueprint.comSprint Masters Toolkit: https://sprintmasterstoolkit.comSimpligy: https://simpligy.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simpligy.substack.com

What if you already have the answers?In this episode, I want to talk about getting out of your business. Not for the usual reasons of mental health, or stress management — all of which is vitally important — but for actual business growth.This is how you get your head out the way, stop comparisons and imposter syndrome, stop the "what if's" and the choices, and learn to rely on the answers you already have.Oh, and it's also my 50th birthday :)  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simpligy.substack.com