Creating a strategic plan for your business is easy — sticking to it and turning it into reality is where most business owners stumble. Big plans often end up collecting dust, while the day-to-day fires take over. In this post, business growth strategist Angela Sedran shares why the gap between strategy and execution is where businesses — big and small — fall apart, and how you can finally bridge that gap.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or leading a growing team, Angela’s proven process simplifies strategic planning, ensures you and your team stay focused, and helps you build a business that runs smoothly — even when you’re not around.
Angela Sedran’s Journey — From Corporate Strategy to Real-World Execution
Angela’s career spans over 15 years in corporate strategy, including roles as a Strategy Director and consultant for multinational companies, government departments, and small businesses.
Her frustration? Seeing brilliant strategies fail because they were never executed properly. This gap between vision and reality is why she stepped out of corporate and dedicated her career to helping business owners not only build strategies — but follow through and get results.
What Is Strategy, Really? (It’s Simpler Than You Think)
Strategy often sounds like a corporate buzzword, but Angela breaks it down into 5 simple questions every business owner needs to answer:
- What’s your ultimate goal? (Where’s the top of your mountain?)
- What’s your unique value proposition? (Why should customers choose you?)
- How will you win? (What specific actions will get you there?)
- What capabilities do you need? (Skills, systems, tools, and processes.)
- What management systems are required? (How will you track and review progress?)
No matter your industry, these five questions provide a clear framework for building — and scaling — your business.
Execution: Why Most Businesses Fail to Follow Through
The reality is, most businesses fail not because of bad ideas, but because they never consistently execute their plans. Common mistakes Angela sees include:
- Writing long, complex plans no one ever reads.
- Getting stuck in the day-to-day grind and losing sight of long-term goals.
- Failing to build systems that allow the business to run without the owner doing everything.
- Hiring people for skills — but ignoring whether they fit the business’s values and culture.
Key Insight
“A strategy is only as good as its execution. Without focus, accountability, and regular reviews, even the best plan will fail.” — Angela Sedran
The Plan-on-a-Page System — Simplify to Succeed
Angela’s solution? Ditch the 52-page documents and build a one-page strategic plan.
The Plan-on-a-Page Covers:
- Your main goal for the year (revenue, profit, customer growth).
- 3-5 key objectives to move the business forward.
- Specific measurable actions for each objective.
- Monthly check-ins to review progress, adjust, and refocus.
Bonus Tip
Use the Business Model Canvas to capture your overall business strategy on one page.
Monthly Strategy Reviews — Keep the Focus Alive
Once the plan is in place, Angela recommends monthly strategy check-ins. These aren’t operational meetings — they’re focused solely on whether your team (or you) are:
- Hitting the right numbers.
- Completing key actions.
- Staying aligned with long-term goals.
- Removing roadblocks and adjusting as needed.
“Every month, you need to adjust the sails — small course corrections keep you on track to your ultimate destination.” — Angela Sedran
Systems and Processes — Your Path to Sustainable Growth
Scaling a business means moving from proof of concept to repeatable processes. Angela stresses the importance of:
- Documenting key workflows so anyone can follow them.
- Using simple tools (even a whiteboard) to track progress visually.
- Ensuring your team knows exactly how their work contributes to bigger goals.
Pro Tip
Break yearly goals into monthly, weekly, and daily targets. This makes big goals feel manageable and ensures you’re always making progress.
People and Culture — The Often-Ignored Key to Execution
Angela highlights that strategy alone isn’t enough — your people need to buy into the plan and share your values.
Tips for Building a Strong Culture
- Involve your team in creating goals so they feel ownership.
- Hire people who align with your values, not just those with the right skills.
- Hold regular team huddles to check progress and celebrate wins.
- Foster a culture of accountability and support, not blame.
“The best strategies fail when your team isn’t aligned — culture and communication matter more than you think.” — Angela Sedran
Tracking Progress — Simple Tools Work Best
Angela advises against overcomplicating things. Whether you use:
- A whiteboard with checklists
- A spreadsheet
- A project management tool
The key is consistency. What gets measured gets done.
Leadership: The Heart of Strategy and Execution
At the core of successful execution is effective leadership. Angela defines leadership as:
“Influencing with integrity.”
Key Leadership Qualities Angela Recommends
- Self-awareness — know your strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots.
- Emotional intelligence — learn to self-regulate under stress.
- Understanding different personality types (using tools like DISC or 16Personalities).
- Focusing on coaching, not commanding — help your team grow into leaders themselves.
Balancing Long-Term Strategy with Daily Fires
One of Angela’s key strategies for maintaining focus is intention.
Before taking on any new task or opportunity, ask yourself:
- Does this align with my long-term goals?
- Is it a distraction or a necessary step forward?
- If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?
“Every yes has an opportunity cost — make sure you’re saying yes to the right things.” — Angela Sedran
The Role of AI and the Future of Leadership
As AI reshapes business, Angela believes strong leadership and high-performing teams will be more valuable than ever.
“AI can handle tasks, but it can’t replace the human touch — building trust, creativity, and ethical leadership will always be essential.” — Angela Sedran
Conclusion
Turning strategy into execution doesn’t have to be overwhelming — the key is to simplify, focus, and follow through.
With Angela Sedran’s plan-on-a-page, monthly check-ins, and emphasis on culture, any business — large or small — can close the gap between dreaming and doing.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or leading a growing team, the secret to success isn’t a perfect strategy — it’s consistent action, accountability, and adapting along the way.