Five steps to close the gap between strategy and action
Like most Kiwi businesses, you've probably kicked off April with a fresh financial year. And, like many, you've likely spent time reflecting - looking at where you’ve been financially and, more importantly, where you want to be in the year ahead.
When setting revenue targets, strategy inevitably becomes part of the conversation. How do we get there? What initiatives will drive growth? What needs to shift to hit those ambitious goals?
From experience, we know that the biggest challenge isn’t setting the goals - it’s knowing how to get there. Having a vision is one thing, but execution is where many businesses stumble.
So, how do you bridge the gap between strategy and reality? Here are five key steps:
Start with a 'future-back' exercise.
Picture yourself in April 2026. What does your business look like? Why do you exist? What does your product or service look like? Who are your customers? Who’s in your team, and what role do they play? How has your own role evolved?
Now, break it down:
Strategy & Governance
Leadership
Sales
Operations
People
Customers
Assess where you are today and identify the gaps between now and where you want to be in 12 months. Write them down. What matters most? Those are your priorities.
Starting from the future (April 2026), work backwards quarter by quarter. What key milestones do you need to hit along the way? Map out the deliverables, assign ownership, and consider dependencies between tasks.
Make it real
Once you've outlined your key milestones, integrate them into your operating rhythms:
Add them to leadership meeting agendas
Block out time in calendars for focused work
Celebrate progress along the way
Execution doesn’t happen by accident - it needs structure and commitment.
Measure what matters
Set both lead and lag measures to track progress effectively. Lag measures show the results - revenue, customer growth, profitability - but by the time you see them, it’s too late to change course. Lead measures, on the other hand, track the actions that drive those results, like conversion rates, outreach efforts, or project milestone
By focusing on the right leading indicators, you can adjust early, stay on track, and make sure your strategy is delivering.
Get the right support.
You don’t have to do it alone. Identify who in your team can take ownership and drive key initiatives forward. Then, look beyond your immediate team - who in your wider ecosystem can offer guidance, resources, or support from the sidelines? The right people, in the right roles, with the right backing can make all the difference in turning strategy into action.
Little can be big when you have the right focus.
Communicate, communicate, communicate.
You’ve been deep in this strategy for weeks, maybe even months - your team hasn’t. Make sure they’re clear on where you’re headed and their role in making it happen.
A great way to check for understanding? Ask your team to explain the strategy back to you. You’ll quickly spot any gaps and areas that need more clarity. Just remember - how you ask matters. Frame it as a conversation, not a test. Empower your team to engage, ask questions, and take ownership, rather than putting them on the spot.
If your business is grappling with how to move from plan to action, let’s talk. We work with ambitious businesses like yours to create clarity, alignment, and momentum - so your strategy doesn’t just sit on a page.
