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Growth is the goal of every business, but often, strategies designed to drive that growth become the very obstacles holding it back. Misaligned strategies can create bottlenecks, waste resources, and lead to frustration for leaders and teams alike.
But how do you know if your strategy is helping or hindering your success? Take this self-assessment quiz to uncover the alignment gaps in your strategy and discover actionable solutions to unlock your business’s full potential.
The Growth Bottleneck Quiz
Answer the following questions honestly to assess how aligned your current strategy is.
1. Are your business goals clear and measurable?
- A. Yes, every department understands them, and we track progress.
- B. We have goals, but they’re not clearly communicated or measured.
- C. Not really—we set goals but rarely revisit or measure them.
2. Do your marketing and sales teams collaborate effectively?
- A. Yes, they share objectives and work seamlessly together.
- B. Sometimes, but there’s room for improvement.
- C. No, they often work in silos with little alignment.
3. How often do you review and refine your strategy?
- A. Regularly—we have quarterly or monthly reviews.
- B. Occasionally—usually when things aren’t going well.
- C. Rarely or never—we stick to the original plan no matter what.
4. Are your resources—time, money, and skills—used efficiently?
- A. Yes, we optimize resources to achieve our goals.
- B. Not always—we sometimes face resource inefficiencies.
- C. No, we frequently face budget overruns or skill shortages.
5. Do your team members understand how their roles contribute to the company’s goals?
- A. Yes, everyone knows how their work impacts the bigger picture.
- B. Somewhat, but there’s confusion in certain areas.
- C. No, there’s little clarity or connection between roles and goals.
6. Is customer feedback integrated into your strategy?
- A. Absolutely—we actively gather and act on customer insights.
- B. Occasionally—we use feedback for certain decisions.
- C. Rarely—we don’t have a consistent process for customer feedback.
7. Are your objectives aligned across all departments?
- A. Yes, all teams work toward shared objectives.
- B. Sometimes—there are occasional overlaps or misalignments.
- C. No, each department operates independently.
Results: How Aligned is Your Strategy?
Mostly A’s: Aligned and Ready for Growth
Congratulations! Your strategy is well-aligned, and you’re positioned for sustainable growth. While you’re doing well, remember that even strong strategies need periodic reviews to stay ahead of changing markets.
Next Steps:
- Continue fostering alignment and collaboration across departments.
- Regularly revisit your goals to ensure they remain relevant.
- Explore opportunities to innovate and stay ahead of competitors.
Mostly B’s: Room for Improvement
You’re on the right track, but there’s work to be done. Misalignments may not be obvious, but they could be hindering your team’s ability to achieve peak performance.
Next Steps:
- Conduct alignment meetings with key stakeholders to address gaps.
- Use tools like OKRs to improve goal clarity and accountability.
- Build processes for regular feedback and strategy adjustments.
Mostly C’s: Bottleneck Alert
Your strategy is likely creating significant roadblocks to growth. Misalignment across goals, teams, and resources may be causing inefficiencies, confusion, and missed opportunities.
Next Steps:
- Start with a comprehensive audit of your strategy and processes.
- Prioritize cross-departmental alignment through shared objectives.
- Consider bringing in a Fractional CMO or external expert to guide you in resetting your growth strategy.
Breaking Through Bottlenecks
Whether your results show a well-aligned strategy or highlight serious bottlenecks, the key takeaway is this: alignment is critical to success. Misalignment leads to wasted resources, low morale, and missed growth opportunities. On the other hand, a well-aligned strategy empowers teams, enhances efficiency, and drives meaningful outcomes.
As we enter 2025, take the time to reflect on your business strategy. Are your goals clear? Are your teams aligned? Are you optimizing resources? If the answer is no, now is the perfect time to act.
Enjoy the journey. Be Growth.
Pedro Torres Cobas
For more actionable insights, check out these related posts:
- Are You Wasting Resources? How to Identify Growth Blockades
- The Alignment Advantage: Why Marketing, Sales, and Leadership Need to Work Together in 2025
- From Vision to Action: How Fractional CMOs Turn Business Goals Into Reality
