Why Your Team Can’t Explain What You Do (And How to Fix It)

Picture yourself in the following scenarios.

You’re reviewing this quarter’s numbers. They’re not bad, but they’re not great either. You’re stuck in that dreaded plateau… again.

Your inbox is flooded with emails from different departments, each urgently requesting resources for their “critical” projects. But which one actually moves the needle?

In your last board meeting, someone asked, “What makes us different?” The silence that followed was deafening.

You overhear your sales team on calls. Each one seems to be pitching a slightly different version of what your company does.

Sound familiar?

But imagine for a moment…

Your team is laser-focused and energized.

Your customers are raving fans.

Your brand is a standout in the market.

Sounds like a dream, right?

It’s not. It’s the power of positioning.

I’ve worked with many sizes of companies, from startups to Fortune 500s.

And I can tell you, the difference between those who thrive and those who merely survive often comes down to one thing.

It’s not your product.

It’s not your team.

It’s your positioning.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

“Positioning? That’s just marketing fluff.”

But let me stop you right there.

Many leaders believe positioning is just about slogans or finding a niche.

That’s a limiting belief that’s holding you back.

Let’s get real for a moment.

You’re frustrated because, despite your best efforts, your company isn’t crushing it like you know it should.

Here’s the simple truth: Positioning is your business’s atomic core or DNA.

When it’s unclear, everything suffers.

Think about it:

  • Your product team developing features that don’t align with your strengths.
  • Your HR hiring for an unclear culture.
  • Your finance team allocating resources without a clear goal.
  • Your marketing team struggling to create compelling, consistent content.

It’s like trying to build a house without a blueprint.

And in the market? You’re invisible. Your messages fall flat. Your sales struggle.

Your customers have no reason to choose you over competitors.

You’re in commodity waters.

You’re vulnerable to market changes, easily disrupted by new entrants with clearer positioning.

But remember why you started this business or got a role there.

You wanted to make a difference, to stand out, to succeed.

It’s time for a shift in thinking.

Positioning isn’t just marketing.

It’s a fundamental business decision that shapes everything.

With clear positioning:

  • You have a decision-making framework that aligns your entire organization.
  • Your operations become streamlined and focused on your core strengths.
  • Your employees are engaged, rallying behind a clear mission.
  • Your innovation efforts are focused on leading to breakthrough developments.
  • Your marketing resonates, creating strong emotional connections with customers.


I know it’s scary to make big changes.

You might worry about alienating some customers or limiting your options.

But here’s the truth: In business, it’s not about being all things to everyone.

It’s about being everything to some people.

That’s the power of positioning.

It’s your north star, guiding both internal operations and external perceptions.

Also, read the pains and gains of positioning.

It creates a virtuous cycle where focused internal efforts lead to stronger external brand perceptions, reinforcing your market position and culture.

So, are you ready to make that change?


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