Foundations of Success: Why Strategy Matters and What Makes a Good One

In the chaotic landscape of modern business, success often hinges on one word: strategy. But what does having a “good strategy” really mean, and why is it so critical? At Brandch, we believe that effective strategy is the cornerstone of sustainable growth, and we’ve seen firsthand how the right approach can transform businesses. Drawing inspiration […]

Table Of Contents

Table Of Contents

In the chaotic landscape of modern business, success often hinges on one word: strategy. But what does having a “good strategy” really mean, and why is it so critical? At Brandch, we believe that effective strategy is the cornerstone of sustainable growth, and we’ve seen firsthand how the right approach can transform businesses. Drawing inspiration from Richard Rumelt’s acclaimed book, Good Strategy Bad Strategy, this article dives into the essence of a good strategy and why it’s crucial for businesses of all sizes.

The Problem with “Bad Strategy”

Too often, businesses confuse strategy with ambition. According to Rumelt, a bad strategy lacks focus, prioritizes wishful thinking over actionable plans, and hides behind buzzwords like “synergy” and “innovation.” It’s like setting sail without a destination—your business may look like it’s moving, but it’s just drifting aimlessly.

Examples of bad strategy include:

  • Setting broad, undefined goals like “Be the market leader.”
  • Lacking clear priorities, leading to scattered efforts.
  • Ignoring underlying challenges in favor of generic platitudes.

At Brandch, we often encounter businesses with plenty of enthusiasm but no clear roadmap. Our mission is to turn that enthusiasm into actionable results by helping them identify their core challenges and opportunities.

What Makes a Good Strategy?

Rumelt defines a good strategy as having three key components:

1. Diagnosis

Identifying the problem or opportunity your business is facing. A good diagnosis cuts through complexity and frames the challenge in a way that is actionable.

2. Guiding Policy

A coherent approach or philosophy to tackle the diagnosis. This is where vision and focus come into play, ensuring that every decision aligns with a central idea.

3. Coordinated Action

A set of concrete steps to execute the guiding policy. This isn’t just about ideas—it’s about doing the right things in the right order.

At Brandch, we follow a similar structure. When creating strategies for our clients, we don’t just assess where they are now—we dig deep to uncover the root challenges holding them back. This ensures that every recommendation we make is grounded in their specific needs.

How Brandch Applies This Philosophy

Our approach to strategy isn’t theoretical; it’s deeply practical. For example, when we helped rebrand a plumbing company, we began with a comprehensive discovery process to diagnose their real challenge: poor lead generation due to an outdated digital presence. From there:

We implemented a guiding policy focused on creating a modern, conversion-driven brand identity.

We designed a coordinated action plan that included rebranding, a new website, and targeted ad campaigns, leading to a 10x increase in monthly sales.

This process demonstrates that good strategy doesn’t just solve problems—it creates opportunities for exponential growth.

Why Your Business Needs a Good Strategy

Without a clear strategy, even the most well-funded businesses can flounder. 

A good strategy:

  • Aligns your team around shared goals.
  • Provides clarity amidst uncertainty.
  • Ensures that every action serves a purpose.

At Brandch, we see strategy as more than just a service—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Whether you’re launching a new brand, pivoting your business, or scaling for growth, having the right strategy can make all the difference.

Do You Need Help With Strategy & Execution?

Crafting a good strategy isn’t easy, but it’s always worth it. At Brandch, we specialize in helping businesses like yours turn vision into reality through thoughtful, effective planning. Ready to make your next move? Let’s create a strategy that works.

Charlee Jade O'Donoghue

Charlee O'Donoghue is the Head of Design & Brand at brandch. You can consider her the Gordon Ramsay of the design and strategy world, passionate, dedicated, and sharp! There's probably not a single campaign or design we've produced that she hasn't overseen or touched-generating over $5M in revenue for her clients last year alone.