Strategy vs. Tactics: Where Are You Really Spending Your Time?
When most business owners first come to us at EBS, they’re in the thick of it—fighting fires, solving immediate problems, and looking for quick fixes. In other words:
👉 They’re stuck in tactics.
And that’s understandable. When the pressure is on, it’s natural to focus on short-term wins.
But here’s the truth:
Tactics solve problems. Strategy prevents them.
One of the most important mindset shifts we help business owners make is this:
Learn to lead strategically, not just tactically.
Let’s break down what that really means—and why it’s so critical for scaling a successful business.
Strategy vs. Tactics: What’s the Difference?
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Strategy is your high-level plan. It’s the “why” and the “what” – your vision, positioning, and long-term direction.
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Tactics are the specific actions you take to execute on that strategy. They’re the “how”.
We’re not saying you don’t need tactics. You absolutely do. But without strategy, your tactics become busywork – scattered, reactive, and ultimately unsustainable.
For Example: Southwest Airlines
One of the clearest real-world examples comes from Southwest Airlines.
Their business strategy was bold but simple:
“Planes on the ground make no money.”
That strategic principle drove every decision they made. It then gave rise to a whole suite of tactical actions:
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Streamlined baggage handling
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Faster boarding and deplaning processes
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Limited onboard services to speed up turnaround
The tactics weren’t random. They were all aligned with the strategy.
What About Marketing?
Let’s say your strategy is to grow sales through increased brand visibility and authority.
Your tactics might include:
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Paid digital campaigns
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Social media content
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Printed brochures
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Webinars or live events
But if those tactics aren’t connected to a bigger strategic goal – or if you’re constantly switching tactics without clarity – they’ll likely underperform.
The Real Question: Where Do You Spend Most of Your Time?
Most business owners are in the trenches. And while tactical work feels productive, it often pulls you away from the bigger picture.
At EBS, we encourage our clients to regularly ask:
Am I operating at 50,000 feet – steering the business strategically?
Or am I stuck down in the weeds, reacting tactically?
Both zones matter. But your time as a business leader is far more valuable in the strategic space.
Here’s What to Do Next
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Step back and assess your last 30 days.
How much time have you spent planning vs. executing? -
Define your core business strategy.
What’s the big idea driving your growth? -
Audit your current tactics.
Are they aligned with that strategy—or are they scattered? -
Adjust your focus.
Prioritise leadership, vision, and long-term planning.
Final Thought
Tactical work can feel urgent. Strategic thinking feels important.
But the businesses that grow, scale, and lead their markets?
They do both—and they start with strategy.
At EBS, we help business owners rise above the weeds, clarify their strategic direction, and execute with precision.
Let’s help you lift your thinking – and your business – to new heights.
