The Fusion of Disciplines: Beyond Conventional Strategy

Planning for your business’s success requires a strong foundation, including incorporating key traditional business planning tools. These tools are essential for shaping the direction you want your business to take. However, in my experience, many small businesses either overlook or are unaware of these strategic frameworks’ value. During my corporate years, no operational plan would have been developed without them: they were fundamental to ensuring long-term success.

In the following sections, I will outline traditional and astrological tools integral to our work. But before we dive into the details, let’s first clarify the distinction between a small business entity and a corporation, as this distinction will shape how we approach strategy and planning.

A small business is typically a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or privately held Pty Ltd, where the owner or a small group of owners plays a direct role in decision-making and is fully responsible for the day-to-day operations. These businesses often have a lean structure, allowing flexibility, quick decision-making, and close oversight of financial and operational matters. Small businesses tend to be more personalised in their approach, often serving niche markets or local communities, with growth primarily driven by the owner’s vision and effort.

In contrast, corporate business refers to larger, more structurally complex entities, typically organised as a Company or Pty Ltd. These businesses may be privately or publicly owned, including those listed on the stock exchange. They generally operate with a sophisticated organizational hierarchy featuring a board of directors that oversees governance and strategic direction. Unlike small businesses, big businesses benefit from greater access to capital, larger workforce management, and the ability to scale operations across multiple locations or industries. Their decision-making processes are often more formalized, with leadership delegated across various departments to ensure efficiency and compliance with corporate regulations.