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- Five Strategic Planning Principles for Uncertain Times
The future belongs to those who can see the patterns before others do. Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” That mindset—curious, connected, forward-looking—is exactly what businesses need in uncertainty.
In today's economy, strategic planning can't be about nailing down every move in advance. It's about creating a system that helps you respond quickly, think clearly, and lead decisively.
Let’s connect the dots—and shape the future together.
David Paul Carter, The Clarity Guy™
What's On Deck
Five Strategic Planning Principles for Uncertain Times
How businesses can stay focused—even when the world isn’t.
If it feels like the world keeps shifting under your feet, you're not alone. Small business owners today are navigating interest rate swings, unpredictable elections, rising tariffs, and changing customer behaviors—all while trying to grow and plan ahead.
So how do you build a strategy when the future feels like a moving target?
The truth is, traditional strategic planning models—those plans with fixed assumptions—often fall short in today’s world. What worked even five years ago may no longer apply. The businesses that are thriving now are the ones that have rewired how they think about planning.
Here are practical, forward-looking principles to help guide your strategy in uncertain times:
Trade Certainty for Clarity – Focus on what you know today. Your current strengths, best customers, and immediate risks are more valuable than long-term guesses.
Shorten the Planning Cycle – Use 90-day sprints and build in “what-if” scenarios to stay flexible and responsive.
Stay Close to Customers – Keep talking, listening, and learning from them. Their needs are changing, and your strategy should reflect that.
Strengthen Your Strategic Muscles - The most resilient businesses are those where strategic thinking happens across the organization, not just in the boardroom.
Don’t Go It Alone. It’s tempting to put our heads down and try to figure it all out solo—but collaboration and shared wisdom are more valuable than ever.
In the full blog post, I break down all five strategic planning principles—including how to bring your team into the process and avoid going it alone.
Click here to read my full blog post!
Bottom Line: You don’t need a crystal ball to build a smart strategy. You just need a process that helps you stay grounded, responsive, and focused on what matters most.
Your Move: What part of your business strategy feels most uncertain right now? Hit reply—I’d love to hear how you’re thinking through it.
Market Pulse Spotlight
My Observations: AI Adoption Gap Is Growing Among Small Businesses
A recent report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Inc. Magazine highlights a growing divide in AI adoption. While large enterprises move ahead with tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and custom automation, many small businesses are lagging—either due to lack of awareness, unclear ROI, or fear of complexity.
Why it matters:
AI is increasingly powering marketing, customer service, inventory, and decision-making. Small businesses that delay may find themselves outpaced in productivity, customer engagement, and cost efficiency.
What to watch:
New low-cost or no-code AI tools targeting SMBs
Rising customer expectations around instant support and personalization
Industry-specific platforms (e.g., AI in bookkeeping, appointment scheduling, lead gen)
Exclusive offers
The Execution Canvas™ – a pragmatic 2-page business planning tool that you can complete and deploy rapidly to scale your business more profitably. Its implementation is simple. It will help Owners, CEOs, leadership teams, and companies overall be aligned, relevant, and timely. Download your Free preview here.
Recommended Resources
Book: The Crux by Richard Rumelt – A powerful guide on tackling the hardest strategic problems.
Tool: Strategyzer Value Proposition Canvas – A great way to re-align your offerings with shifting customer needs.
Podcast: The Game w/ Alex Hormozi – Sharp insights for entrepreneurs navigating growth in tough markets.
Closing Thoughts
In a stable world, planning is about direction.
In an uncertain one, it’s about momentum.
Keep moving, stay grounded, and don’t go it alone.
Let’s Connect:
What part of your plan feels most uncertain right now?
Reply and let me know—I read every response.
Like this issue? Please forward it to a fellow business owner.
All the best-
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