What if everything you knew about strategy was wrong?

Most businesses focus on goals, plans, and tactics—but strategy isn’t about checking off tasks or reacting to trends. It’s about designing a system that allows you to create meaningful change over time.

Having had the privilege of attending Seth Godin’s NextMBA lectures, I experienced firsthand how his approach to strategy is about rethinking how we lead, make decisions, and build systems that create sustainable impact. His latest book, This Is Strategy, is a wake-up call for marketers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who feel stuck in reactive mode. It’s a book that forces you to rethink how you operate, shifting your focus from short-term wins to long-term leverage.

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The Big Idea: Strategy Is a Philosophy, Not a Checklist

Strategy isn’t a map—it’s a compass. It’s not about rigid plans; it’s about making smart choices today to shape a better tomorrow. Godin argues that the best strategies are built on four key elements:

1. TIME: Strategy plays out like a garden. You plant seeds today, but the results come weeks, months, or years later.

2. GAMES: Every strategy involves players, competition, and different outcomes. The key is to understand the rules—or change them.

3. EMPHATY: People don’t buy what you sell; they buy what resonates with their worldview. Understanding what people want is the foundation of a strong strategy.

4. SYSTEMS: Systems are powerful. The smartest marketers don’t rely on one-off efforts; they leverage networks, behaviors, and structures to create lasting impact.

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Key Insights Marketers Can’t Ignore

Godin challenges traditional strategy in ways that directly apply to marketing and business growth. Here are the most valuable takeaways:

Tactics ≠ Strategy

Too many businesses confuse execution with strategy. Posting more on LinkedIn? Running another email campaign? These are tactics. Without a clear, long-term strategy, they’re just noise.

What to do instead: Focus on who you’re serving and why before deciding on execution.

LEVERAGE Beats Effort

Hard work isn’t enough. The best strategies leverage existing systems, relationships, and momentum to create exponential growth.

What to do instead: Identify where you can gain an unfair advantage—a niche audience, an underutilized channel, or an untapped network effect.

The Smallest Viable Audience MATTERS

You don’t need to reach everyone. You just need to find the right people who resonate deeply with your message.

What to do instead: Shift from mass marketing to serving a passionate core audience that will spread your ideas for you.

BETTER > More

Scaling fast isn’t always the answer. The best strategies prioritize resonance, depth, and long-term value over immediate reach.

What to do instead: Build a strategy that makes people want to engage, rather than chasing endless new leads.

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What I Loved About the Book

(*) It’s a strategy book that actually makes sense. No corporate jargon, no confusing models, just real insights that challenge conventional wisdom.

(**) It shifts your mindset from reactive to proactive. Instead of chasing trends, Godin teaches you how to build systems that create their own momentum.

(***) It’s actionable. While it’s philosophical, it also provides clear takeaways that can transform how you approach marketing and business.

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Who Should Read This Book?

This book is for you if:

• You feel stuck in short-term marketing cycles and want a bigger-picture strategy.

• You run a business and struggle to stand out in a crowded market.

• You’re tired of chasing algorithms and want a system that works on your terms.

• You want to attract the right customers instead of convincing the wrong ones.

If you’re a marketer, entrepreneur, or business strategist, This Is Strategy will reshape how you think about growth, branding, and long-term success.

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Final Verdict: A Must-Read for Strategic Thinkers

If you’ve ever felt stuck in reactive marketing mode, this book is your roadmap out. Seth Godin challenges you to rethink how you plan, execute, and lead. It’s not about working harder, it’s about designing smarter systems.

Want to dive deeper into these ideas? Let’s chat about how these strategy principles apply to your business. Get in touch here or drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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Bonus: The Seth Godin Style Recipe – Fermented Cabbage Salad for Strategic Simplicity

This Fermented Cabbage Salad is a perfect metaphor for strategy—it’s simple, effective, and builds complexity over time. Instead of rushing for instant impact, fermentation allows nature to do the heavy lifting, creating depth and richness over time.

Ingredients (Seasonal, Simple, and Strategic)

2 cups fermented cabbage (sauerkraut) (leveraging existing resources, like using systems instead of brute effort)

1 small apple, thinly sliced (a sweet contrast, because good strategy needs unexpected elements)

1 small carrot, grated (color and crunch, layering for depth)

1 tbsp sunflower/ sesame oil (smooth execution, tying it all together)

1 tsp your spice of choice, adapted to what your family likes (small but powerful, like a smart niche marketing move)

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (sharpness and balance—adjusting for market feedback)

Fresh dill or parsley for garnish or what herbs your loved ones like (a final, fresh touch of insight)

Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions (Systematic Execution)

1. Leverage what’s already there – Place the fermented cabbage in a bowl, no extra work needed.
2. Build depth through contrast – Add the thinly sliced apple, grated carrot, and your choice of spieces.
3. Smart amplification – Drizzle with sunflower oil and apple cider vinegar for balance.
4. Use feedback loops – Taste and season with salt & pepper as needed.
5. Deliver a final, memorable touch – Garnish with fresh dill or parsley or what herbs your loved ones like .

Bon apetit!