So, you’ve got yourself a business strategy. It’s…well, it’s alright. Maybe even decent. “Not bad,” you might say. But if “not bad” is your goal, you’re already letting yourself off the hook! The real goal should be to make your strategy “bloody brilliant” — the kind that turns heads and makes your competitors tremble.

Whether you’re running a local bakery in Bondi or the next tech unicorn in Melbourne, there’s always room to crank up the dial on your strategy. With a few tweaks, the right mindset, and a sprinkle of Aussie cheek, you’ll be going from “near enough” to “spot on” in no time. Buckle up, because here’s how you can give your strategy the glow-up it deserves!

1. Start by Defining Your “Bloody Brilliant”

You can’t hit a target if you don’t know where it is! A lot of businesses get stuck at the “not bad” stage simply because they haven’t defined what “bloody brilliant” actually looks like for them. Take a step back and imagine what a dream-come-true version of your business would look like. Ask yourself:

• How would customers describe us?
• What’s our reputation in the industry?
• What’s our financial position?

Be ambitious — but specific. Clarity here sets the stage for a powerful strategy.

Interesting Fact: Did you know Australians have some of the clearest definitions of customer satisfaction worldwide? According to a recent survey, Aussies are willing to pay a premium for businesses that nail customer experience, meaning they know what they want, and they’ll pay for it if you get it right.

2. Understand Your Core Differentiator (and Lean In!)

If your strategy was a sausage sizzle, what would be the “onion on top”? Your core differentiator is that little slice of brilliance that makes you uniquely you. Maybe you’ve got the fastest delivery service in town or a cult following for your quirky product design.

Identify what makes your business stand out — then go all in on it. This is where you need to lean into what others might call “the secret sauce.” If you’re unsure what your unique selling point (USP) is, ask your customers. Sometimes, they see our strengths clearer than we do.

Interesting Fact: Vegemite wasn’t always loved! In fact, it took years for Aussies to warm up to it. Kraft leaned into the “Aussie-only” identity, and now it’s a must-have. Sometimes your differentiator needs time to shine!

3. Focus on Exceptional Customer Experience

Here’s a not-so-secret secret: Good customer service is “not bad,” but exceptional customer experience is “bloody brilliant.” If you want your strategy to be unforgettable, go beyond delivering a good product and turn the whole experience into something memorable.

A Few Simple Tricks:

• Personalize where possible: Use customer names, tailor services, and offer recommendations. People remember when you go the extra mile.
• Fix problems faster than a roo on the run: Problems happen. When they do, own up and solve them quickly. Customers respect honesty and swift action.
• Follow up and stay in touch: A quick follow-up call or email post-purchase can make customers feel valued. It’s amazing what a “thanks, mate!” can do.

Interesting  Fact: Research shows that companies with top-notch customer service can charge 16% more for their products. Why? Because people are willing to pay extra for convenience, quality, and feeling valued. Just think of how much Australians are willing to shell out for a quality coffee!

4. Take Data Seriously — It’s Your New Best Mate

If you want your business to be brilliant, data isn’t optional; it’s essential. And no, we’re not talking about staring at spreadsheets till your eyes go square. This is about understanding your customers, tracking what works, and making educated decisions.

Here’s how to make data work for you:

• Customer feedback: Keep an ear out on social media, surveys, or even a suggestion box. The key is to listen and act.
• Sales trends: What products are consistently performing, and which are the laggers? Look for patterns and adapt accordingly.
• Website analytics: Google Analytics is a free tool that can help you see which pages are popular, how long people stay, and even where they drop off. This insight can be gold.

Interesting Fact: Aussie online shopping trends reveal that 1 in 3 Australians prefer shopping at night, which explains why brands offering late-hour customer service often outperform competitors. Data like this can be a game-changer for your customer engagement.

5. Plan for Innovation (and Embrace a Bit of Risk)

“Bloody brilliant” doesn’t come from playing it safe. It comes from being a bit cheeky, pushing boundaries, and being willing to do things differently. If you’re just copying what others do, you’ll always be a step behind. Identify areas where your business can innovate, experiment, and shake things up.

Ideas to Jumpstart Innovation:

• Host brainstorming sessions: Sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected sources. Get your team together, set some ground rules (like “no idea is too silly”), and see what you come up with.
• Test and adapt: Try out small-scale versions of new ideas and monitor customer response. Whether it’s a limited-edition product or a quirky marketing campaign, see how it’s received, then scale if it works.

Interesting Fact: The phrase “go out on a limb” was actually coined by an Aussie entrepreneur! Australia has a rich history of innovators, from Wi-Fi technology to the cochlear implant — all from a bit of thinking outside the box.

6. Nail Your Messaging — Say It Like You Mean It!

A “bloody brilliant” business strategy isn’t just about what you do; it’s about how you tell people what you do. It’s easy to get bogged down with jargon or try to sound sophisticated, but you’ll often find that simplicity and clarity win out.

Make sure your messaging is:

• Crystal clear: No fluffy language, no acronyms, no corporate waffle. Just plain speaking that anyone could understand.
• Authentic: Aussies can smell inauthenticity from a mile away. Speak like a real person, not a robot.
• Memorable: Use humour or local expressions where appropriate. A bit of personality goes a long way in standing out!

Interesting Fact: A study showed that ads using humour are 69% more likely to engage audiences. So don’t be afraid to have a laugh with your customers; they’ll remember you for it!

7. Set Concrete Goals (and Smash Them!)

To turn “not bad” into “bloody brilliant,” you’ve got to know where you’re headed. Setting goals isn’t just about jotting down a few numbers and calling it a day. It’s about setting goals that are ambitious, realistic, and actually get you closer to your ultimate vision.

When setting goals, make sure they’re:

• Specific: Vague goals like “increase sales” are hard to measure. Set a target, like “increase sales by 15% in Q4.”
• Measurable: Trackable metrics help you see progress.
• Time-bound: Goals should have a timeframe, so you stay on track.

Interesting Fact: Studies show that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. Just imagine what that statistic means for a business that actually follows through!

8. Get Your Team on Board — They’re Your Secret Weapon

Your team is everything. If they’re not on board with the strategy, you’re dead in the water. An engaged, motivated team can be the difference between an “alright” business and an extraordinary one.

Tips for Team Buy-In:

• Share the Vision: Let your team know where you’re headed and why. If they see the bigger picture, they’re more likely to care about the journey.
• Recognize Great Work: Regular recognition of achievements keeps the team motivated and creates a positive culture.
• Encourage Ideas: Some of the best ideas come from the frontline. Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts.

Fun Fact: Aussie businesses with high employee engagement report 21% higher profitability. Turns out, happy workers are productive workers!

9. Don’t Shy Away from Feedback (Even If It’s Brutal)

The path to brilliance isn’t smooth, but it’s paved with valuable feedback. Don’t get defensive when customers, employees, or even friends give you feedback. Listen to it, even if it stings a little. “Bloody brilliant” businesses know that the best way to improve is to get real about what’s working and what isn’t.

Where to Get Feedback:

• Customer reviews: These are free gold mines of information.
• Surveys: Set up quick and easy surveys for customers and employees.
• Social media: People are never shy about sharing opinions online, so make sure to listen.

Fun Fact: 70% of customers say they’re more likely to be loyal to a company that considers their feedback. It’s as simple as showing them that you’re listening.

10. Celebrate Wins, Big and Small

Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Turning a “not bad” strategy into something brilliant isn’t just about the big victories. Sometimes, the small wins add up to the biggest impacts. Celebrate them, no matter how tiny.

• Acknowledge milestones: When you hit a goal, recognize it. Share it with your team and even your customers.
• Take a breather: Running a business isn’t easy. Make time to reflect on what you’ve achieved so far.
• Reward yourself and your team: A little reward here and there keeps everyone motivated.

Fun Fact: Celebrating small wins has been shown to increase productivity by up to 25%. So next time you hit a target, don’t just give yourself a pat on the back — give the team a break, or even better, a celebratory sausage sizzle!

There you have it! A roadmap to turning your strategy from “not bad” to “bloody brilliant.” Remember, the journey from average to awesome isn’t an overnight sprint — it’s more like a marathon with a few pit stops for snacks (or a cheeky lamington). Start by defining what success looks like, lean into your unique value, and never underestimate the power of exceptional customer experience and an empowered team. Because at the end of the day, “near enough” is good, but “spot on” is bloody brilliant. And that, my friends, is worth striving for.