Think about the games you played as a child. Remember Snakes & Ladders? Exciting, perhaps, but entirely dependent on the luck of the dice roll. A fortunate roll sends you soaring up a ladder; an unlucky one sends you plummeting down a snake. You have almost no control over the outcome.
Now, think about Chess. Success isn’t about luck; it’s about strategy, foresight, understanding the pieces, controlling the board, and making intentional moves. Each piece has a role, every move has consequences, and victory comes through skillful execution of a well-thought-out plan.
Which game does running your business feel more like right now?
Too many businesses operate like a high-stakes game of Snakes & Ladders, what we at Win More By Design call ‘Default’ mode.
In ‘Default‘:
- Success feels random:Good quarters happen, but you can’t always pinpoint exactly why or reliably repeat it.
- Crises dictate action: You’re constantly reacting to unforeseen problems (“snakes”) – market shifts, operational hiccups, competitor moves.
- External factors rule: You feel buffeted by forces outside your control.
- Strategy is reactive: Planning often involves looking backward and trying to avoid the last “snake” rather than proactively charting a course.
This isn’t just stressful; in today’s competitive landscape, it’s incredibly risky. Relying on luck and reaction leaves you vulnerable and limits your potential.
Contrast this with operating by ‘Design’ – playing Chess with your business:
- Success is engineered: Wins are the result of strategic planning, understanding your capabilities, and executing deliberate moves.
- Control is maximised: While you can’t control everything, you focus intensely on what you can control – your processes, your team alignment, your responses.
- Proactive moves dominate: You anticipate challenges, build defenses, and position your resources (your “pieces”) for maximum advantage.
- Outcomes are more predictable: You build systems and strategies that generate consistent, reliable results.
We’ve seen the difference starkly. Consider two companies in the same industry: Company A (in ‘Default’) experiences wild swings – record profits one year, near-panic the next, constantly reacting to market whispers. Company B (operating by ‘Design’) shows steadier, more predictable growth. They face challenges too, but their strategic framework, clear roles, and data-driven decisions allow them to navigate turbulence with resilience and foresight – like a Chess master anticipating the opponent’s moves.
Win More By Design exists to help businesses transition from the chaotic unpredictability of Snakes & Ladders to the strategic mastery of Chess. We guide you in understanding your current position, identifying the “board,” defining your pieces’ strengths, and crafting the winning strategy.
Stop rolling the dice with your company’s future. It’s time to learn the rules of Chess and start playing by Design.
Ready to trade chance for strategy?
Take Organisational Productivity Assessment from Win More By Design program to get to the way forward.
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