Strategic insights can dramatically improve a company’s position and growth in its market. But a strategy is often difficult to launch successfully because it impacts so many aspects of an organization. Both the internal communications and external branding will need to change along with the current mindset.

That leaves the question of what to do with all of the current branding messaging, marketing materials, sale materials, internal training systems, and a myriad of related issues that individuals and departments might not be too excited about seeing go away.

How can you decide if a strategic change is worth the effort? Here are some questions to answer:

1. Are you satisfied where you are now?

2. Do you think you could improve your situation with a different strategy?

3. Do your clients think you need something new?

If you answered in the affirmative to one or more of these questions you probably need to consider a course correction. The reality is, “Either you manage your company’s strategic direction or the market will set one for you.” Every company has a systemic strategy in place that is working full time sending cues to employees, customers, vendors, and related publics. These cues define who the organization is and how it is thought of in the marketplace. And they have a direct bearing on the success of a company’s business.

Often company executives know things are not working properly but they are afraid to make a major shift. What happens if the new direction is worse than the current one? This occurs in corporations, entrepreneurial firms, and nonprofits alike. Almost always a company’s strategy is entirely responsible for the results that it is achieving, and leaders are entirely responsible for that strategy. And yet, putting a new strategy in place can be very difficult for an organization who is entrenched in what used to work.

So if you would like to put a new strategy in place get out honesty and courage! Then look closely at what your clients have been telling you. Once you know the strategic initiatives to implement, start by changing the experience employees and clients have with your company. This can change what they think, and if you can do that, you can change their actions toward your brand. And if you are truly successful in this integration of strategy you will greatly improve your chances for achieving the business results you’ve been hoping for.