Be a Strategic Leader in 2025!

By Prof. Enrique Soriano

As we approach the end of the year, I want to take this opportunity to extend my warmest holiday greetings to all of you. The holiday season is a time to reflect on the past year and prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. With 2025 fast approaching, it’s a reminder that leadership will be more crucial than ever. The role of a strategic leader will shape not just the success of your organization, but the legacy you leave behind.

Recently, I had the privilege of serving as a resource speaker at a virtual event organized by W+B Advisory Group that brought together over 100 CEOs, business leaders, and founders. Joining me was my esteemed colleague, Prof. Bong De Ungria—CEO and Founder of TransFORMe and a corporate veteran whose vast experience in organizational transformation enriched the discussion.

The event was nothing short of remarkable, with an impressive turnout. Over 70% of the attendees were senior executives from the country’s top 50 conglomerates. Despite their organizations’ size, complexity, and influence, these seasoned leaders made time to participate—a testament to their belief that learning is the antidote to challenges.

The Stark Contrast: Less SMEs

While the dedication of these senior executives to learning and development is truly inspiring, it also casts a spotlight on a concerning gap. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—which make up the backbone of our economy—were noticeably underrepresented at the event. This absence was disheartening, especially as the insights shared were carefully designed to address the unique challenges SMEs face.

Unlike their larger counterparts, SMEs often grapple with structural disadvantages: limited resources, difficulties in scaling, weaker brand equity, and a lack of agility to adapt to rapid technological shifts. Leaders of these enterprises could have greatly benefited from the event’s actionable strategies and innovative solutions. Unfortunately, this was a missed opportunity to empower a sector that is critical to economic growth and job creation.

The Key Takeaways

The challenges organizations, big and small, face are multifaceted, demanding tailored solutions to help them thrive in a competitive and rapidly evolving market landscape. Here are the must-do’s to prepare senior executives and owners for 2025:

1. Strategic Leadership Is Non-Negotiable:
   In times of uncertainty, the role of leadership becomes even more critical. Leaders must be proactive in steering their businesses through challenges by adopting a forward-thinking and adaptive mindset. Strategic leadership is about prioritizing what matters most—whether it’s pivoting business models, embracing innovation, or aligning resources to long-term goals. Leaders who fail to adapt risk falling behind in an unpredictable world.
2. Product and Service Innovation is Key to Growth and Sustainability:
   To remain competitive and relevant, organizations must focus on innovation. Whether it’s improving existing products, introducing new services, or finding ways to deliver greater value to customers, innovation drives growth. In a marketplace where consumer needs and preferences evolve rapidly, companies cannot afford to remain stagnant. Encouraging a culture of creativity, investing in research and development, and listening closely to customer feedback are essential for maintaining a competitive edge.
3. Brand Building and Differentiation:
   Branding remains an underutilized growth lever for many enterprises, especially SMEs. Competing with household names in saturated markets requires more than just flashy logos or catchy slogans—it demands the creation of a compelling promise of value. Leaders must recognize that a strong brand builds trust and loyalty, differentiating their business in meaningful ways.
4. Digital Transformation:
   A significant number of organizations remain hesitant to embrace digital tools, citing cost and lack of expertise as barriers. Yet, in today’s technology-driven world, digital transformation is no longer optional. Adopting solutions like e-commerce platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and data analytics can help them enhance efficiency, improve customer engagement, and remain competitive.

Reflections on the Event’s Impact

While the discussions with senior executives brought valuable insights, the absence of a larger SME audience underscored a missed opportunity to share these lessons where they are most needed. The strategies shared—from organizational planning to adaptive leadership—offered practical solutions that could have empowered them to overcome their unique hurdles.