Dr. Paul Borosky, DBA, MBA
Business Consultant · Strategy Glossary
What Is the Difference Between Strategy and Tactics in Business?
Strategy decides where the business will compete and why customers will choose it. Tactics are the moves that carry it out. Mixing them up leads to busy work with no direction. Using a landscaping company as the example, business consultant Dr. Paul Borosky, DBA, MBA, shows how to test whether each tactic really serves the strategy.
Questions? Call or text (321) 948-9588. Dr. Paul answers personally.
Last Updated: 11/07/2026 · Written by Dr. Paul Borosky, DBA, MBA
The Short Answer
What Is the Difference Between Strategy and Tactics?
Lots of Activity, Not Much Direction?
In Plain English
The Destination vs the Turns
Strategy is the destination and the route. Tactics are the turns you make along the way.
A coupon ad is a tactic. Deciding to win commercial accounts on reliability instead of price is strategy. Without the strategy, tactics are just activity.
Watch: Strategy
Watch Dr. Paul Build a Strategic Plan
How to Write a Startup Strategic Plan
Dr. Paul walks through a strategic plan, from the big picture down to the actions that carry it out. (13:03)
A Real-World Example
The Landscaper Who Stopped Running Coupons
A small landscaping company in Minneapolis, Minnesota sets its strategy: be the go-to company for commercial property managers within 20 miles, winning on reliability and reporting, not price.
Its tactics follow: a property-manager email list, a monthly service report, and a crew dedicated to commercial accounts. It stops running coupon ads aimed at homeowners, because they do not fit. A landscaping business plan with that one sentence at the top makes every later choice easier.
From Dr. Paul’s Fabled Forest
Commander Colt and the List of Ideas
Doctor Owl was at the tailor’s, being measured for a vest, when Commander Colt galloped in waving a list.
“More posters,” Colt read. “Longer tours. A discount for the Willow Grove. A new wagon.” He stamped a hoof. “Just a bit more horsepower!”
“Which travelers do you want most?” Doctor Owl asked. “And why would they pick your tours?”
Colt paused. Families. Families who wanted short, safe trails.
Doctor Owl took the tailor’s chalk and crossed longer tours off the list.
“Horsepower is a tactic,” he said. “Serving families with short, safe, predictable tours is the strategy.”
Colt read the list again. Two more items came off before he left the shop.
Want more lessons like this? This story comes from Book 6 of Dr. Paul’s Fabled Forest Business School Series.
Dr. Paul’s Insight
Dr. Paul asks owners to name their strategy in one sentence before approving any new tactic.
Put It to Work
Strategy vs Tactics, Side by Side
| Strategy | Tactics | |
|---|---|---|
| Question it answers | Who we serve, where we compete, and how we win | What we do this week or month to carry it out |
| Typical time frame | Years | Weeks to months |
| Typically owned by | The owner or leadership | The whole team, including the owner |
| Example | Go-to for commercial property managers, winning on reliability and reporting | Email list, monthly reports, a dedicated crew |
For any new idea, ask: “Which part of our strategy does this serve?” If the answer is none, drop it or rethink the strategy.
Watch Out
Pitfalls When Separating Strategy and Tactics
A long to-do list is not a direction.
“Grow the business” cannot tell you what to say no to.
Fix the tactic first. The strategy needs time.
Old habits keep spending money on the wrong customers.
Why It Matters
Benefits of Knowing the Difference
- A clear yes or no on new ideas
- Marketing and hiring that pull in one direction
- Less wasted spending
- A stronger strategy section in a plan
In Your Business Plan
How Strategy vs Tactics Shows Up in a Business Plan
Lenders read the strategy section to see if the business knows where it is going. One clear sentence, with tactics tied to it, makes the case.
Sample plan excerpt: Strategic Plan, Strategy
“The company will focus on commercial property managers within 20 miles, competing on reliability and reporting rather than price. Year 1 tactics include a property-manager outreach list, monthly service reports, and a dedicated commercial crew.”
FAQ
Questions Owners Ask About Strategy and Tactics
What is an example of strategy vs tactics?
Which comes first, strategy or tactics?
Can a small business have a strategy?
More From the Series
Keep Building Your Business
Every book in Dr. Paul’s Fabled Forest Business School Series teaches one subject through short stories, real terms, and one-page worksheets.
Dr. Paul Borosky, DBA, MBA
Dr. Paul is a business consultant and author with 14+ years of experience and 1,000+ written business plans. He works with owner-run small businesses on plans, financial projections, and the systems that let a business run without the owner doing everything. This page is part of the glossary for Strategy for Small Businesses, Book 6 of Dr. Paul’s Fabled Forest Business School Series.
This page is for general educational purposes only. It is not legal or other professional advice. For decisions about your own business, consult a qualified professional.