Strategy for SMEs: Why 99% of Businesses Fail to Scale (Alex Smith)

Strategy for SMEs is at the heart of this conversation with Alex Smith, author of No Bullsht Strategy*. In this episode, we break down what strategy for SMEs actually means in practice, why most businesses misunderstand strategy for SMEs, and how a clear strategy for SMEs is the difference between stagnation and real business scaling. Alex Smith challenges conventional thinking around strategy for SMEs, exposing why so many companies believe they have a strategy when in reality they don't. If you're a founder, CEO, or SME leader, this episode forces you to rethink your entire strategy for SMEs approach and how you define value, differentiation, and competitive advantage. We explore why most strategy for SMEs discussions are flawed, how commoditisation destroys margins, and why clarity of unique value is the foundation of real growth. Alex explains that true strategy for SMEs is not about buzzwords, goals, or generic planning—it's about creating unique value that the market cannot get anywhere else. You'll also learn how strategy for SMEs connects directly to supply and demand dynamics, why most businesses fall into the commodification trap, and how sacrificing certain market assumptions can unlock powerful new growth opportunities. This is essential viewing for anyone serious about strategy for SMEs and long-term scaling. If you're trying to scale your SME, refine your positioning, or escape price competition, this conversation will reshape how you think about strategy for SMEs entirely.   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to scaling with purpose 02:10 Why most SMEs don't actually have a strategy 06:40 The truth about business growth expectations 10:30 Why leaders lie to themselves about strategy 15:20 The 3 types of "fake strategy" 22:10 What real strategy actually means 28:40 Unique value vs commoditisation 35:10 Why most SMEs compete on price 42:00 How to create real differentiation 50:10 The sacrifice principle in strategy 57:00 Final takeaways on scaling and clarity   GUEST Alex Smith Author of No Bullsht Strategy* Advisor and speaker helping CEOs and founders build clear, actionable strategy for growth and competitive advantage.   If you found this conversation valuable, make sure to like, share, and subscribe for more insights on scaling SMEs and building high-performance businesses. 💬 Comment below: What part of your strategy do you think needs the most clarity right now?   Book: Simple Scaling: 10 Proven Principles to 10x Your Business  ScaleX Elevate (under £3M revenue): https://simplescaling.com/solutions/scalexelevate-scale-up-coaching/  ScaleX Accelerator (over £3M revenue): https://simplescaling.com/solutions/accelerator-programme/   Website: https://simplescaling.com  Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/54151508/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simple_scaling/