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Issue #3 | July 2025

Hello Reader,

Have you ever felt like your team is busy executing—but not really progressing?

Maybe there’s a detailed plan, clear timelines, and lots of activity…
But no real movement toward the bigger goals.

If that sounds familiar, here's the truth:
​You may have a plan—but not a strategy.

This edition will help you:

• Understand the difference between strategy and plan
• Build clarity on how to create a strategy that actually works
• Align your plans with a clear, winning direction

Imagine your business like a river journey.

• Strategy is deciding which river you’re going to travel on, where it leads, and why it’s worth the ride.
• Planning is how you’ll build the boat, what supplies you’ll carry, and when you’ll start paddling.

Now here’s the catch—
​A perfectly built boat on the wrong river gets you nowhere.

Without strategy, planning becomes a mechanical task—efficient, but aimless.

🧭 What Are Your Options?

As a CEO or Business Owner, here are your two choices:

1. Lead with Planning

You create detailed tasks, assign resources, build Gantt charts…
But without direction, this often leads to burnout and low ROI.

2. Lead with Strategy First

You define:

• What winning looks like
• What choices you’re making (and not making)
• What transformation you’re willing to drive

Then, you plan based on that.

Plans are flexible. Strategies are foundational.
When strategy drives planning—not the other way around—you build something that scales.

🧩 The Solution: Strategy → Planning → Execution

In Summary:

• Many businesses mistake detailed planning for real strategy—leading to activity without meaningful progress.
• Strategy defines where you’re going and why; planning is how you’ll get there.
• Without strategy, even the best plans become directionless to-do lists.
• To build momentum and scale, lead with strategy first—then let it guide your planning and execution.

"Strategy without planning is wishful thinking.
Planning without strategy is wasted effort.​
You need both—in the right order."

From the Desk of Vijay ​ Business & Leadership Coach | Entrepreneur | Author | Inspiring Change ​ ​ "Great businesses are built by great business owners."

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