Strategy Development - start up

A small but ambitious start-up approached me with a common challenge: they had big ideas but no clear roadmap. They knew why they existed and what they wanted to achieve, but when it came to defining real objectives and measures of success for their first two years, they were stuck. Too many possibilities, too much uncertainty, and that all-too-familiar fear of committing to the wrong direction.

I designed and facilitated a session to help them move from broad ambition to structured action. Collaboration was key, but so was healthy challenge—pushing them to think bigger while staying grounded in reality. We explored: What does success actually look like? What milestones will tell you you’re on the right track? What’s ambitious enough to excite you but achievable enough to keep momentum?

As we mapped their strategic goals, we tackled tough questions—cutting through vague aspirations to define measurable, time-bound objectives (everyone loves a SMART objective afterall). When someone hesitated over a bold target, I challenged them: What would it take to get there? If not now, when? Slowly, the group started to shift from cautious to confident.

By the end of the session, they had a clear two-year strategy, complete with priorities, success measures, and ownership. No more circling ideas—just a shared, ambitious, and actionable plan. Most importantly, they left with alignment and momentum, ready to turn their vision into something real.