Everything has to start somewhere to level up in the future.

A launch point, a foundation to build upon from which big things grow, as the proverbial acorn becomes an oak tree of course.

Strategy is no different. But for strategy to be truly effective, the right tools and solutions must be used – and spreadsheets are no longer that. Investing in those tools for your business and its strategic plan – just as you would the right employees – ensures the continued growth of your organization.

Spreadsheets may have been the go-to solution for strategy and strategic planning in the past, but they are no longer fit for purpose. There are now far more effective and practical solutions available that can help businesses of all sizes to create, implement and monitor their strategy effectively.

Spreadsheets simply cannot provide the same level of detail, analysis and strategic insight as dedicated strategy software. They also lack the collaboration features that are essential for effective strategic planning. Trying to use spreadsheets for strategy is ineffective and impractical – it’s time to invest in the right tools for the job.

If you’re still using spreadsheets for your business strategy, it’s time to make a change. Investing in dedicated strategy software will help you to create, implement and monitor your strategy more effectively. There are now far more effective and practical solutions available that can help businesses of all sizes to create, implement and monitor their strategy effectively.

Imagine asking your employees to work with software that was not built with their job, or their industry, in mind. They might make do with a spreadsheet in place of a content management system (CMS) or project management tool for a few months, perhaps even a year, but how long until those employees begin to look elsewhere?

Ask yourself these questions:

Is the software your team using the right one?

‍If it’s spreadsheets that you’re using for dynamic strategy, then the straight answer is probably not. Inflexible and inefficient, spreadsheets don’t allow for the kind of real-time collaboration necessary for business today.

Is the software my team is using accomplishing key objectives?

If you’re using spreadsheets for strategic planning, then it’s likely that the answer is no. With siloed data and a lack of transparency, spreadsheets make it difficult to see the big picture and make the well-informed decisions necessary to accomplishing key objectives.

What are the consequences of using spreadsheets?

‍There can be a few: employees become frustrated with using inadequate tools, leading to lowered morale and eventually high staff turnover; inefficiencies in your processes lead to longer project timelines and higher costs; and because spreadsheets don’t talk to each other, there’s a greater risk of human error and data duplication.

What are the alternatives?

‍There are now many options available that have been purpose-built for strategic planning. Empiraa offers flexibility and collaboration features that spreadsheets cannot match, making it easier for your team to do their best work.

What is the best course of action?

‍The best course of action is to invest in the right tools – just like Empiraa – for your team and your business. With the right strategic planning solution in place, you’ll be able to take your business to the next level.

Level up your team and your business and understand how to move away from spreadsheets.