OGSM.com has helped us a lot in setting up a clear multi-year strategy and effectively translating it to our divisions and business units. With their guidance, our MT has not only turned the strategy into action, but also implemented a process that allows us to continuously improve and continue to focus on our shared goals in a result-oriented way.
OGSM has really given us direction and structure. Our teams now understand better how they complement each other and where their own responsibility lies. The cooperation with OGSM.com went smoothly; they challenged us, got us excited and had a great eye for who we are as an organization. Thanks to their guidance, we now have plans that everyone supports and that really help us move forward in daily practice.
OGSM helps me and my teams transform annual plans into a clear, concrete framework that provides direction throughout the year and allows us to manage effectively. As a director at Port of Moerdijk and now at Leidingenstraat Nederland, I’ve experienced the power of this structured approach firsthand. Our OGSM.com advisor helps us refine our goals and ensures our plan remains up-to-date and results-focused. This turns it into a dynamic tool that truly drives our organisation forward.
Together with OGSM.com, we drew up a sharp and supported plan in a short time. The OGSM method helped us to make ambitions concrete and clarify priorities. She asked the right questions and provided structure without losing the pace. Prior to the process, OGSM.com also held interviews with internal and external experts, so that we could immediately include best practices. The result is a clear compass for our team in the coming months.
OGSM.com support was exactly what we needed. He not only helped us bring focus to our 2025 strategy, but also to make sharp choices that really fit where we want to go as an organization. The sessions were structured, energetic and gave us the clarity to continue building together. Thanks to his guidance, there is now a concrete plan that everyone feels ownership of. The implementation of our strategy is now in full swing!
With guidance from OGSM.com, our team has significantly improved its collaboration. By focusing on a single, clear, and ambitious Objective, we now have a clear vision and roadmap for the years ahead. OGSM keeps us on track during planning and helps us focus on what truly matters. The result is a goal-oriented approach that allows us to move forward with confidence. Highly recommended for teams looking to seriously improve their strategy and results.
Within our organisation, OGSM has been embraced as a strategic management tool. The fresh and independent perspective provided during the process was incredibly helpful in facilitating the right discussions without getting bogged down in lengthy debates. I would highly recommend OGSM.com if you’re looking for a partner and method to take your strategic planning and execution to the next level in your organisation.
At Crest, we strive for personal leadership in the maritime sector. Before our collaboration with OGSM.com, we struggled to define a clear strategy. Thanks to OGSM.com, we now have an inspiring and focused strategy that challenges us to think bigger and act with more purpose. They also helped us formulate measurable initiatives, enabling us to effectively engage our stakeholders in the mission and execution of our plan. If you're considering working with OGSM, I'd definitely recommend OGSM.com!
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The market is changing faster than ever. Maybe you recognize this: customers expect more, competitors keep moving, and daily urgencies eat up your time. Without a strong strategy, your business reacts instead of leading. Whether you run a startup, lead an SME, or want to grow your organization: a clear business strategy is not just a success factor, but a requirement to survive.
At OGSM.com, we help companies make their strategy concrete every day. In this article, you’ll discover how to choose a strategy that works, why OGSM makes such a difference, and which business strategy example you can use to achieve focus and results.
A business strategy is your organization’s roadmap. It’s the plan that translates vision into goals and actions everyone understands. Direction, focus, and clarity are essential, especially in times of change. Research even shows that companies with a shared strategy achieve financial goals 35% faster.
A successful strategy rests on three pillars:
• Positioning: Who do you serve, and who do you compete against?
• Formulating: Which choices do you make, and how do you translate them into goals?
• Implementing: How do you ensure plans become reality?
Classic Strategies and Modern Methods
Michael Porter introduced three classic business strategies:
• Differentiation: Stand out with quality, unique service, or innovation (think Apple, Tony’s Chocolonely).
• Cost Leadership: Be the cheapest in the market through efficiency and scale (like Aldi or Ryanair).
• Focus Strategy: Choose a niche or specific target group (such as Coolblue in the Netherlands).
These models provide direction but often lack the practical link to daily actions. That’s why more organizations choose modern methods like OGSM. This model puts ambition, goals, and actions together on one A4. It’s used worldwide by companies like Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and Toyota – and is especially popular among Dutch SMEs as a fast, clear way to steer.
OGSM stands for Objective, Goals, Strategies, Measures.
The big advantage: your entire strategy fits on one page and is directly actionable.
Example OGSM model:
• Objective: Become market leader in sustainable construction.
• Goals: Achieve 30% market share within 2 years.
• Strategies: Product innovation, local partnerships, digitalization of the quoting process.
• Measures: Monthly reports on growth and customer satisfaction.
With OGSM you avoid thick reports that end up in a drawer. You see at a glance if you’re on track and can adjust quickly.
Companies using OGSM often highlight its simplicity, focus, and direct results. One client said: “Since using OGSM, our strategy is discussed every month. We see results faster, and the team is far more engaged.”
OGSM requires discipline – you must evaluate and adjust regularly – but that’s exactly what creates the agility every company needs today.
A business strategy only works if you maintain it. With OGSM, you schedule regular evaluations (for example, quarterly), review progress, and adjust actions. This way, your direction stays current, and your strategy doesn’t become a paper tiger.
A strong business strategy is essential for every organization. OGSM provides the structure and clarity you need: compact, action-oriented, and always up to date. At OGSM.com, we help you go from vision to action – so your strategy doesn’t remain stuck in a document but makes a real difference every day.
Explore our OGSM templates or book an OGSM workshop to take the first step toward a future-proof strategy.
Last updated: 29-09-2025
We have developed various OGSM templates for you for various formats that you can easily download here.
You fill out an OGSM by going through four parts step by step:
1. Objective — formulate a clear long-term ambition.
2. Goals — make that ambition measurable with 3 to 5 concrete goals.
3. Strategies — determine the most important choices to achieve those goals.
4. Measures — add KPIs and actions to measure and execute progress.
Preferably use a template and involve your team for support and ownership.
An OGSM cycle usually lasts 12 months and follows the rhythm of the annual plan. The OGSM itself is set up at the start, with quarterly reviews to measure progress, adjust actions and learn. Some organizations work with a biannual update, but the basis often remains valid for one year and is cyclically tightened.
OGSM and OKR are both methods for translating goals into results, but differ in design and application. OGSM stands for Objective, Goals, Strategies and Measures and provides a complete strategic plan on one page including direction, choices and actions. OKR stands for Objectives and Key Results and focuses primarily on ambitious, measurable quarterly results, without a fixed strategy or action plan. OGSM is suitable for organizations that want to connect direction and implementation. OKR is ideal for short cycle focus and alignment.
Yes, the OGSM model is suitable for companies of all sizes and industries. Whether you're a startup or a multinational, OGSM helps you clarify goals, implement strategies, and achieve results.
The OGSM model is popular because it:
• Provides structure: It offers a clear and easy-to-understand framework.
• Enhances effectiveness: It emphasises measurable results.
• Boosts engagement: Teams collaborate to achieve shared goals.
OGSM helps organisations translate their vision into concrete actions, driving improved performance and teamwork.
