September is Strategy Month: Why Thinking Time is Your Secret Advantage

September Feels Like a Fresh Start

After the summer pause, schools reopen and business rhythms begin to shift. For me, September is a natural strategy review month: a moment to reset, refocus, and decide what really matters before the year ends.

Here’s the truth: if we stay stuck in doing mode, we miss the opportunity to step back and see the bigger picture.

Strategy is about perspective. It’s about noticing patterns, identifying opportunities, and making conscious investments in change.

Why Strategy Still Matters

Strategy and business plans sometimes get a bad reputation. Some say they take too long, or that unexpected events make them irrelevant. But after 26 years in business, my experience is the opposite: the investment is always worth it.

A clear strategy signals to your team and stakeholders:
➡️ This is our path.
It turns your “why we exist” into tangible, trackable, and scalable actions.

And when the plan no longer fits? We adjust, pivot, and move forward with intention.

Here’s the lesson I come back to:

Putting your head above the daily noise often reveals what no longer serves you.

Habit and routine can be just as dangerous as inaction. A strong strategy process forces you to review, critique, and ask the hard questions: what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change.

My 3 Top Tips for Strategy Success

1. Block Thinking Time
Protect time in your diary just for strategy. Even one hour a week can shift your outlook from reactive to proactive.

2. Set “4-Month Goals”
September is the perfect time to ask: What do I want to achieve before December?
Short horizons keep goals sharp, actionable, and motivating.

3. Involve Your People
Strategy isn’t built in isolation. Your team, mentors, and peers may see opportunities you don’t. Involve them — it strengthens both buy-in and outcomes.

Strategy in Action This Month

September has been full of strategic moments in both my professional and personal life:

At 3Q Recruitment, we celebrated 26 years and rolled out our new Gewardz recognition programme for temps — a strategic investment in people.
With The Shona Project, I was honoured to be part of launching Year 2 of the Senior Ambassador Programme, and to attend their future strategy meeting in Smock Alley. Tammy and team — you are inspiring!
On the SFA Committee, we developed strategic goals and explored how SMEs can prepare for auto-enrolment.
Personally, I began the AI Skills course with the Institute of AI, ensuring our business is human-first, AI-enabled, a strategy to future-proof how we work.
And yes – I returned to writing my entrepreneurship book. My personal goal: have a full draft ready by December.

✨ Closing Thought

Strategy is not a luxury. It’s the oxygen of growth.

Carve out the time.
Embrace reflection.
Let strategy guide your action.

September gives us four months left in the year.
What will you choose to achieve before December writes its final page?