Think Big Take Small Steps

Overcoming the Five Reasons Strategies Fail

COMING SOON!

Proper strategic planning is the most important first step for any organization.

However, 70% of all strategic plans fail!

• What is strategic planning really?
• Why is strategic planning important?
• Why does strategic planning fail?
• How do I create a strategic plan that does not fail?

Learn about what strategic planning is, how all plans are inherently the same, how strategic planning is a process, why planning saves money, how process improvement is linked to planning, and...

Discover the five primary reasons strategic plans fail, and how you can overcome these reasons:

1. Focus
2. Framework
3. Implementation
4. Accountability
5. Communication

At its most basic form, planning is nothing more than figuring out how you will get from one place to another.  Every day people plan: people make a list of things to buy at the grocery store; workers determine the best route to travel to and from work each day; we plan out how to finance that new car; etc.

Strategic planning applies to the development of an overarching organizational plan on how the business will get from where they are today to their vision many years in the future, or at least the general direction they will head over the next several years.

So, 70% of all plans fail to some level; however, by following this guide, you can ensure your strategic plan will be one of the 30% successes that everyone reads about.

Advanced Praise from Readers

“This book is amazing!  What hit me the most was the plain language and logistical approach you took to explain just about everything I have been working on in my company.  This book speaks directly to Entrepreneurs like me and identifies many of the struggles I have experienced and ways for me to improve my company.  I feel this is a must-read for anyone starting out.  I will only need to re-read this like every day for the rest of my life … this is a must-keep on your desk book for sure.  Amazing; a truly beautifully crafted piece of work!”

Michael “Doc” McKenney
Co-Founder of Doc’s Duffle Bag™ LLC

“Think Big Take Small Steps: Overcoming the Five Reasons Strategies Fail is a business book that should be on every business leader and entrepreneur reading list!  There are so many business books, but this one is truly differentiated and highly valuable.  Developing a strategic plan is critical, and this book is laser-focused on how to effectively do just that.  And at the end, it had me thinking about whether our business unit within our company has a true strategic plan with a clearly defined mission and vision.”

Dean Wiener
Senior Manager, Energy/Manufacturing Vertical
Spotfire Business Unit | Cloud Software Group

“In Think Big Take Small Steps, John Knotts has laid out a compelling and timely program to improve on your Strategic Outcomes.

By recognizing WHY Strategy implementation programs so often fail, and then explaining a roadmap for HOW you can reduce the probability of failure, Think Big Take Small Steps will jumpstart you on your path to more effective development and execution of Strategy.”

Scott Newton
Managing Partner, Thinking Dimensions

“Once again, John Knotts demonstrates his keen ability to take complex topics that many in business are apprehensive about getting involved with and break them down in a simple and conversational way that inspires confidence.  Especially notable are the frameworks he provides that can easily be used as templates easily adapted for the particulars of our own organization.  These include things like off-site strategic planning events, developing mission, vision, values, and purpose statements, as well as an insightful focus on characteristics conducive to successful implementation.  Considerations include change readiness vs saturation (adoption, burnout, overwhelm).  This book will become a strategy bible for business leaders that have hesitated to roll out their own programs.”

Scott Boddie
Organizational Development Consultant / Strategy Facilitator
PATTERN4building

“John Knotts’ Think Big, Take Small Steps is a transformative guide for anyone seeking to achieve meaningful success.  This book brilliantly bridges the gap between grand ambitions and actionable steps, providing a clear roadmap to turn a strategy into reality.  Knotts’ blend of practical tactics, real-life examples, and insightful wisdom empowers readers to tackle challenges with confidence and clarity.  Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, this book offers invaluable guidance on how to make consistent progress toward your goals.  A must-read for those committed to personal and professional growth.”

Dr. Adil Dalal, DBA
CEO, Pinnacle Process Solutions, Intl.

In writing Think Big Take Small Steps, John has disassembled the key steps within strategy creation & reassembled them in a digestible that can help as a support guide as organizations look to embed more systemic approaches.

Marc Lawn
Global Executive & Advisor

“This book is an invaluable resource for anyone serious about mastering strategic planning.  As a professor, I will be integrating its insights and methodologies into my strategic planning courses to equip students with the tools they need for real-world success.”

Dr. Jonathan Blake, PhD

“As an experienced leader in the strategy execution space, I’ve come across numerous experts and books on the subject, many of which are heavy on theory and light on practical application. John Knotts’ new book, Think Big Take Small Steps, stands out as an exception.

I was thrilled to preview John’s book, having long admired his discipline, military background, and his ability to turn practical insights into actionable advice.  These are rare qualities, given the countless volumes written on strategy that fail to provide a clear, step-by-step guide to effective strategy implementation.

John’s approach to organizational assessment, in particular, impressed me with its thoroughness – unlike anything I’ve encountered before.  Think Big Take Small Steps is a must-read for any CEO, business owner, or senior executive who wants to truly understand strategy and leverage it to drive real results in their organization.

You will appreciate the book’s commitment to ‘getting good strategy right’.”

Monte Pedersen
Owner and Principal
The CDA Group LLC

“The book Think Big Take Small Steps: Overcoming the Five Reasons Strategies Fail is an example of a systematic approach to business strategy management.  As a person with a strong systems thinking mindset, John Knotts has the ability to break down complex tasks into a series of practical steps.  In this book, you will find many such examples.  It is an excellent work where discussions on strategic thinking concepts are seamlessly integrated with practical advice.  I highly recommend it.”

Svyatoslav Biryulin
Independent Strategy Consultant

“Think Big Take Small Steps: Overcoming the Five Reasons Strategies Fail is an excellent read and a practical tool for anyone looking to understand and improve strategic planning.  The book breaks down the common reasons why organizations fail and offers actionable steps to prevent these pitfalls.  It highlights the importance of strategic planning, providing insights on when to implement it (and when not to).  The real-life assessments and examples guide you through the entire process, from planning to execution, making it a must-read for leaders aiming to succeed in the systematic strategic planning process.”

Ray Trevino
Entrepreneur and CEO