At Touchdown Strategy, we believe building a business is like building a championship team. You need a playbook, discipline, and the right advisors who can see the whole field. That’s where strategic planning consultants come in—we help business leaders move from scattered plays to a winning game plan that drives results.
What Do Strategic Planning Consultants Do?
Strategic planning consultants help businesses define their vision, set priorities, and create the actionable steps needed to achieve long-term success. We go beyond high-level ideas and work side-by-side with leadership teams to:
- Clarify the mission, values, and long-term goals.
- Translate strategy into quarterly and annual action plans.
- Align resources, budgets, and talent around measurable priorities.
- Track performance using KPIs and scorecards.
In short, a strategic planning consultant turns big-picture thinking into a concrete playbook that gets executed on the field.
What Is a Strategic Business Advisor?
A strategic business advisor is a trusted partner who provides guidance across all aspects of a company’s growth journey. Unlike consultants who may focus on a single project, advisors act as ongoing thought partners, helping business owners:
- Evaluate opportunities and risks.
- Navigate challenges like expansion, acquisitions, or restructuring.
- Stay accountable to the bigger vision.
Think of them as the “offensive coordinator” of your business—always scanning for opportunities and calling the right plays at the right time.
What Is the Role of a Strategic Advisor?
The role of a strategic advisor is to bridge the gap between vision and execution. Advisors don’t just design strategy; they coach leaders through the implementation, measure progress, and adjust the plan as the game evolves.
Key responsibilities include:
- Offering unbiased, experienced insights.
- Challenging assumptions to prevent blind spots.
- Connecting financial, operational, and market data into one clear picture.
- Helping leaders stay disciplined and avoid “shiny object” distractions.
What Is the Difference Between a Strategy Advisor and a Strategy Consultant?
- Strategy Consultant: Typically project-based. They analyze, design, and recommend solutions. Think of them as the ones drawing up the game plan.
- Strategy Advisor: A long-term partner who sticks around to coach the team, measure progress, and adjust strategy. Think of them as the one on the sidelines during every down.
Both roles are valuable—but when you combine them, you get both the playbook and the coach to drive lasting results.
What Is a Business Strategy Consultant?
A business strategy consultant focuses specifically on aligning the business model, market positioning, and growth plan. They tackle questions like:
- How do we win in our market?
- Where should we expand or invest?
- What operational improvements will create the highest impact?
Their goal: to design strategies that are realistic, competitive, and profitable—not just slide decks that sit on a shelf.
Case Study: Turning Debt & Cash Strain Into Profit & Stability
At Touchdown Strategy, we know that business owners can find themselves trapped in difficult financial situations that feel impossible to escape. Credit cards get maxed out, lines of credit are fully drawn, equipment loans stack up, and suddenly even meeting payroll feels like an uphill battle. But with the right playbook, transformation is possible.
This case study shows how we helped a $3MM service-based business move from financial distress to consistent profitability, cash security, and long-term stability.
Company Profile
- Industry: Service-Based Business
- Annual Revenue: $3 Million
- Challenges: Heavy debt burden, tight cash flow, difficulty meeting payroll
The Challenge
This $3MM service company was operating under extreme financial pressure:
- Credit cards maxed out
- Lines of credit fully drawn
- Equipment loans weighing down cash flow
- Struggles to meet payroll and cover daily operating expenses
The business was caught in a cycle of reacting to short-term fires rather than building long-term financial stability. Leadership knew they needed help but couldn’t see a clear path forward.
Our Approach
At Touchdown Strategy, we don’t deliver cookie-cutter fixes—we build a custom playbook tailored to each client’s industry and situation. For this business, we focused on five game-changing shifts:
- Pricing & Sales Process Overhaul
- Redesigned pricing strategy to better capture value and improve margins.
- Rebuilt the sales process to focus on higher-margin services and consistent conversion tracking.
- Direct Labor Compensation Redesign
- Adjusted compensation plans to align labor costs with performance and profitability.
- Introduced incentive structures that improved productivity without increasing fixed costs.
- Vendor Negotiations
- Renegotiated vendor terms to reduce cost of goods sold and free up working capital.
- Extended payment terms where possible to create breathing room in cash flow.
- Expense Optimization
- Cut wasteful spending and eliminated unproductive investments.
- Reallocated resources toward areas that delivered measurable ROI.
- CRM & Data-Driven Decisions
- Integrated a new CRM platform to streamline operations, track sales activity, and improve forecasting.
- Leveraged reporting and dashboards to empower leadership with real-time visibility into performance.
The Results
Within 12 months, the transformation was dramatic:
- From Negative Profit to 10% Net Profit: The company moved from losses to consistent profitability.
- Cash Reserves Built: Established a 3-month cash savings buffer, creating financial security.
- Debt Burden Reduced: Paid down significant portions of credit card and line-of-credit balances, lowering financial risk.
- Operational Clarity: With CRM insights, leadership made confident, data-driven decisions.
The Win
Today, this company operates from a position of strength. Instead of constantly scrambling to make payroll, they now plan confidently for growth. With profit margins stabilized, expenses optimized, and cash savings in the bank, the business has the ability to invest in its people, equipment, and future expansion.
At Touchdown Strategy, we believe transformation happens when you combine financial discipline, operational clarity, and a winning strategy. This case proves that even when the situation looks bleak, the right playbook can turn the game around.
FAQs: Strategic Planning & Advisory
Q: Why should I hire a strategic planning consultant?
A: Because they help you see what’s possible, cut through noise, and build an actionable roadmap that keeps your business on track.
Q: How long does strategic planning take?
A: Most engagements begin with a 90-day plan, then expand into annual and multi-year roadmaps. The process is ongoing and evolves as your business grows.
Q: Is a strategic advisor the same as a business coach?
A: Not exactly. Coaches focus on mindset and leadership skills. Strategic advisors focus on execution, performance metrics, and scaling your business.
Q: Can small businesses benefit from strategic planning consultants?
A: Absolutely. Small businesses often gain the biggest wins because strategic discipline creates clarity and unlocks growth that was previously stuck.
Q: How does strategic planning tie into financial performance?
A: Great strategy aligns budgets, KPIs, and investments with your long-term vision—driving profit growth, cash flow stability, and valuation increases.
Final Word: Turning Strategy Into Wins
At Touchdown Strategy, we don’t just hand you a playbook—we line up on the field with you. Whether you need a consultant to craft the plan, an advisor to coach execution, or both, we help you create clarity, focus, and measurable results.
Because in business, like in sports, the best teams don’t just show up—they execute a winning strategy.
👉 Ready to build your playbook? Contact Touchdown Strategy today to align vision, strategy, and execution for your next big win.
