Intuition vs. Strategy: What's Your Path?

Hey there, welcome to March!

It’s been so good to see the sun shining and the rain easing off, making way for buds and daffodils. I love this time of year. Nature waking up and getting ready for a fresh start — much like a lot of us in business.

Which brings me onto a call I had recently.

2 Co-Founders were looking for someone to help with their brand identity refresh.

So naturally after hearing about their ideas, I asked about their plan for developing the brand more systemically. “Is brand strategy something you’ve done before? Or considered? Have you looked at your brand DNA?” I said.

One of the Co-Founders said they "rely more on principles than strategy." They’re "intuitive and a little sceptical about traditional strategic frameworks... Not convinced it’s essential right now."

And I get that. I really do.

Intuition is important and principles matter. You’ve built your business after all. You understand where you want it to go and how you want it to make impact.

But are principles enough?

Of course, it depends on your goals. But generally speaking, intuition and principles alone aren’t enough.

You could get in your car and drive to Wembley Stadium. You may even have read a blog on the “Principles of Driving in London.”

But if you’ve never driven there before, or been on a motorway — how is that journey going to pan out?

You’ll probably have a rough idea of the direction.

But without the postcode. Without the Sat Nav. Without clear guidance.

You’re likely to waste time, burn fuel, go round in circles and create stress that didn’t need to exist.

You’ll get frustrated and lost.

As much as I value intuition and principles, why wouldn’t you also choose to have a strategy?

If someone says, “Here’s your destination. Here’s the map. Here’s how to get there.”

Why wouldn’t you say — yes, give me that.

Without direction, principles can’t move you forward in a focused way. You need a plan so your brand develops in line with your actual business objectives.

So maybe the reflection this month is simple:

Are you building on belief alone?

Or are you pairing belief with direction?
Danielle

P.s I want to say thank you and hello to my newest subscribers; Nuala & Jane.