Most business strategies fail for one simple reason. Lack of clarity.

In this episode, I share the exact checklist I use when assessing businesses and their strategy. It’s a framework that forces clarity, challenges assumptions and creates consistency across the organisation.

This isn’t theory. It’s the same approach used to help businesses sharpen their direction, make better decisions and unlock significant growth.

We break down the key questions every leader should be asking. From understanding the real problems you’re solving and the decisions your customers are making, through to assessing your external environment, internal capability and defining clear priorities.

You’ll also learn why a coordinated action plan, realistic resource planning and measurable outcomes are critical if you want your strategy actually to deliver results.

And finally, how to create a strategy story that people remember and can act on. If you’re a founder, business owner or leader looking to improve your strategy, increase performance and build a more focused, aligned business, this episode gives you a practical checklist you can apply immediately.

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#Leader #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurs #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #Leaders #CEO

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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.

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Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business?

I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies. To learn more, please visit my website at

https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.

Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.

AI is everywhere right now. But what does it actually mean for your business?

In this episode, we break down one of the biggest challenges facing business owners and leaders in 2026: artificial intelligence. Not the hype. Not the headlines. The reality of how AI is already shaping business strategy, decision-making and growth.

I’m joined by Oli Wood, Co-Founder of ExposeIQ and Founder of Revived Leads, to explore how businesses should be thinking about AI right now.

One of the key takeaways is simple. AI won’t replace you, but someone using it will. The real question is how you adapt, where you apply it, and how you avoid falling behind.

We discuss the role AI plays in business strategy, real examples of how it’s being used effectively, and the common mistakes business owners are making when trying to implement it. This includes when not to rely on AI, how to approach it properly, and what leaders should be focusing on instead.

If you’re a founder, entrepreneur or business leader trying to understand AI and how it impacts your business, this episode will help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters. ---------

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Leader #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurs #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #Leaders #CEO

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You can find out more about Oli Wood and his businesses here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodoli/.

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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.

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Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.

To learn more, please visit my website at https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.

Follow me on LinkedIn:

http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.

Most business leaders believe they know who their competitors are. But what if the real threats to your business aren’t external at all?

In this episode, we tackle a question that came directly from a business owner struggling to apply strategy in practice: Who is the real enemy in business?

This conversation breaks down the hidden forces that quietly hinder businesses. Not obvious competitors, but the internal and external factors that limit growth, slow progress, and keep organisations stuck.

From the comfort of the status quo to disengaged customers, misaligned teams and a lack of accountability, we explore the challenges that every business leader must recognise and address if they want to move forward.

This isn’t about theory. It’s about identifying what’s really standing in your way so you can make better decisions, sharpen your strategy and avoid falling into the trap of mediocrity.

If you’re a founder, business owner or leader looking to push your business forward, this episode will challenge how you think about competition, performance and growth.

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#Leader #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurs #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #Leaders #CEO -

Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.

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Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business?

I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.

To learn more, please visit my website at https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.

Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.

One of the fastest ways to grow your business is to learn from people who have already done it.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jeannette Linfoot, business advisor, investor and founder of Brave Bold Brilliant. With over 30 years of global experience and a track record that includes leading major organisations such as TUI, Thomas Cook and Saga, Jeannette brings a level of insight most business leaders never get access to.

This conversation is all about tackling the real challenges leaders face when trying to grow, scale and improve performance. From building high-performing teams to sharpening strategy and making better decisions, Jeannette shares the kind of practical, experience-led advice that businesses typically pay significant fees to access.

If you’re a founder, business owner or senior leader looking to overcome challenges and take your business to the next level, this episode gives you a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who has operated at the very top and now helps others do the same.

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#Leader #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurs #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #Leaders #CEO

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You can find out more about Jeannette Linfoot and Brave Bold Brilliant here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeannettelinfoot/.

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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.

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Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.

To learn more, please visit my website at https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.

Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.

What can a 2,500-year-old military text teach modern business leaders?

Quite a lot.

In this episode, we explore the timeless strategic principles from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and why they remain surprisingly relevant for businesses navigating today’s competitive environment.

From global uncertainty to rapid technological change, the challenges facing leaders in 2026 require sharper thinking, better preparation and a clear understanding of strategy. That’s why so many entrepreneurs and executives continue to reference Sun Tzu’s work when thinking about competition, leadership and long-term planning.

In this discussion, we break down several core principles from The Art of War and examine how they apply directly to modern business strategy. The conversation focuses on preparation, understanding your competition, adaptability, efficient use of resources and the role leadership plays in building strong, aligned teams.

This episode isn’t about warfare. It’s about sharpening your strategic thinking so you can navigate uncertainty, anticipate challenges and position your business more effectively.

If you’re a founder, entrepreneur or business leader looking to strengthen your strategic mindset, this episode offers practical lessons drawn from one of the most influential strategy books ever written.

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#Leader #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurs #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #Leaders #CEO #SunTzu #ArtOfWar

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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.

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Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.

To learn more, please visit my website at https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.

Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.

What separates businesses that grow from those that stall? In this episode of the Leaders in Strategy podcast, I share five more leadership lessons that regularly come up when advising business owners and leadership teams on strategy and growth.

This is the kind of guidance organisations usually pay thousands for, but I’m sharing it openly to help you think differently about how you lead, scale and future-proof your business.

Part two builds on the foundations from the first episode and explores the leadership behaviours that help businesses stay competitive in an environment where change is constant.

We discuss why attracting and retaining the right people matters more than ever, how leaders must stay adaptable as markets evolve, and why technology should be embedded into everyday operations rather than treated as an afterthought.

We also look at the importance of open communication inside a business, why risk management doesn’t mean avoiding risk altogether, and how the most effective leaders continue to seek guidance and perspective as their organisations grow.

If you’re a founder, director or senior leader looking to strengthen your leadership approach and build a more resilient business, this episode will give you plenty to reflect on.

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#Leader #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurs #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #Leaders #CEO

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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.

----------

Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.

To learn more, please visit my website at https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.

Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.

Juggling family and scaling a company is one of the biggest challenges for business leaders & entrepreneurs.

In this episode I’m joined by Sian Brennan-Todd, award winning, business woman & confidence coach. Together we discuss strategy, leadership, and balancing work and family.

If you’re a founder, business owner or leader looking to learn how to scale your business, then this strategic advice is a must!

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#Leader #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurs #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #Leaders #Entrepreneurs

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You can find out more about Sian and her incredible work, be sure to connect with her on LinkedIn here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-brennan-todd/.

You can also find out more about her work by visiting – https://www.sianbrennantodd.com/.

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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.

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Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.

To learn more, please visit my website at https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.

Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.

Company culture is one of the most talked-about topics in leadership. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.

In this episode, I challenge the idea that the CEO owns the culture. Too often, culture becomes something that’s dictated from the top or shaped around a single personality. When that happens, it creates fragility, dependency, and long-term problems for the business.

This episode is a candid rant about the relationship between culture, leadership, and strategy. We explore why culture shouldn’t bend to the CEO, why changing leaders doesn’t automatically fix cultural issues, and how top-down thinking quietly undermines performance.

We also unpack a powerful perspective from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and what it really means to be a curator of culture rather than a controller of it.

If you’re a CEO, founder, or senior leader wrestling with culture, engagement, or alignment, this conversation will help you rethink where culture truly comes from and how it should evolve alongside strategy.

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#Culture #CompanyCulture #Leader #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurs #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #Leaders #CEO

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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.

----------

Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.

To learn more, please visit my website at https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.

Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.