5 Business Strategies That Can Give Leaders A Competitive Advantage

Angelica Kopec is the CEO of She Knows Business: Agency Owner, Elite Business Strategist, Multi-Venture Partner, Advisor & Investor.

In business, as with many things in life, consistency isn’t just the key—it’s non-negotiable. To stay ahead, successful business owners adopt practices that refine their decision making, streamline operations and maximize their time. Here are five strategies I’ve found worthy enough to recommend. Consider integrating them into your own routine to maintain a competitive edge:

Reverse Mentorship

Traditionally, leaders look to peers or more experienced professionals for guidance. However, reverse mentorship flips this dynamic, encouraging you to learn from those newer or closer to emerging trends and technologies.

In my own business, I encourage a culture where knowledge flows in all directions, meaning that I learn just as much from my team and industry peers as they do from me. One powerful example is how we integrate AI into our strategies. I rely on my team’s deep dives into AI tools to explore ways we can automate processes, enhance personalization and deliver even greater value to clients. Instead of dictating the tools we use, I encourage team members to challenge my thinking, propose new AI-driven efficiencies and test cutting-edge automations. Recently, a team member suggested using AI-driven competitor analysis to help our clients identify market gaps in real time. We tested it, refined the approach and now offer it as an exclusive service that gives our clients a strategic edge. This willingness to learn from every corner of the business ensures that we stay ahead of trends—not just follow them. The takeaway? Reverse mentorship allows us to constantly refine and elevate our services, ensuring our clients get future-proofed, high-value solutions.

Why It Works

• Younger team members are often immersed in evolving cultural and digital landscapes. They understand trends, values and narratives that resonate with younger audiences, particularly on platforms like TikTok or Instagram.

• Your tech-savvy employees can uncover tools and automation that streamline processes or disrupt outdated workflows.

Practical Steps

• Create opportunities for casual knowledge-sharing sessions. For example, invite a junior marketer to present on the latest social media trends in a team meeting.

• Build an environment where ideas flow freely across all levels, reinforcing the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping strategy.

However you decide to integrate it into your business, do it often to keep yourself informed and open to new possibilities and opportunities.

Foster A Culture Of Transparent Feedback

Feedback loops are vital for personal and organizational growth. Leaders who seek input demonstrate adaptability and create a collaborative atmosphere where innovation can thrive.

For example, at my company, we continuously optimize efficiency, innovation and client results. Every week, I ask my team three core questions: What’s one thing slowing you down right now? (Efficiency) What’s a process or strategy we could improve? (Innovation) What’s one way we could deliver even more value to our clients? (Client Success) This allows us to identify bottlenecks before they become problems, refine our execution and enhance our client offerings before competitors even catch on.

What To Ask

• “What am I doing that supports your success?”

• “What challenges are preventing you from achieving your goals?”

• “What would you do differently if you were in my position?”

Implementation Tips

• Use casual means of communication like a workforce chat platform or another non-formal environment, which would encourage your team to be honest and engaging.

• Follow up visibly on suggestions—even if you can’t implement every idea—to show you value your team’s insights.

This approach strengthens trust and creates a space where employees feel heard and empowered. Be consistent and ask questions regularly.

Audit Your Monthly Expenses Ruthlessly

Unchecked spending can quietly erode profitability. Conducting regular financial reviews is a proactive way to uncover inefficiencies and reallocate resources where they’ll have the most impact.

Key Areas To Review

• Subscriptions and tools: Are there unused software licenses or services you could eliminate?

• Operational costs: Can repetitive tasks be automated to save time and money?

• Supplier contracts: Renegotiate terms or explore alternative vendors to reduce overhead.

• Actionable habit: Schedule a fixed time each month to review all outgoings. Use tools like financial dashboards to visualize trends and highlight anomalies quickly.

Harness AI To Stay Ahead Of The Curve

Artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a practical tool for staying informed and generating new ideas. Tools like ChatGPT can become your personal business assistant, delivering curated insights on demand.

How To Leverage AI

Consider the following use cases, along with example prompts:

• Industry trends: “What major shifts are occurring in 2025 for [X industry]?”

• Role-specific insights: “What strategies should my [X employee role] be focusing on?”

• Innovation: “What tech is emerging that could impact my business operations or improve my business model?”

Integrate AI queries into your monthly planning sessions to uncover opportunities or threats early.

Reevaluate And Optimize Your Time

Your time is the most valuable resource you have, and how you allocate it directly impacts your business’s trajectory. Leaders often spread themselves too thin, focusing on tasks that don’t require their expertise.

Self-Assessment Questions

• Are you spending time on high-impact, strategic decisions?

• Could someone else handle certain tasks at 80% of your capability?

Delegation Strategies

• Identify tasks that can be outsourced or delegated to team members.

• Empower your staff with the tools and authority to execute tasks effectively.

Remember, your role is to focus on what only you can do—charting the vision, driving growth and fostering innovation.

Final Thoughts

Consistency doesn’t mean rigidity—it means reliably adopting habits that enhance your ability to lead effectively. From seeking fresh perspectives through reverse mentorship to embracing AI as a strategic ally, these practices are your toolkit for navigating today’s complex business landscape.

As a business owner, your responsibility is to stay adaptable, proactive and reflective. By integrating these strategies into your routine, you can not only strengthen your leadership but also position your business to thrive in an ever-changing world.

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