The goal of every business owner is to create a well-organized, scalable business that runs smoothly without them having to manage every little detail. But with inefficient systems, lack of delegation, and messy backend operations, it can be hard to scale sustainably so they can increase revenue without adding more hours to their workload.
Oftentimes, it just comes down to not having a strategic plan in place. So business owners end up stuck in reactive mode, constantly putting out fires instead of growing their business intentionally.
Maybe you’ve been managing projects as a VA or a new OBM, wondering how to step into a higher-level role where you’re making strategic decisions instead of just checking off tasks. It can make you feel stuck and unsure of how to transition into a true leadership role as an OBM.
Today, you’re in luck! I’m going to share a powerful process that will help you step into a strategic OBM role, support clients at a higher level, and confidently lead business operations without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
I'll cover what a Strategy Session is, why it’s important, and how you can start offering it to clients right away.
Keep reading for more details!
What Is a Strategy Session?
A Strategy Session is a high-level business planning session where an Online Business Manager helps a client:
- Identify inefficiencies in their business
- Pinpoint gaps in operations, systems, and team management
- Develop an action plan for streamlining and optimizing their business
Unlike a general consultation or project-based support, a Strategy Session is focused on giving the client a clear roadmap for running their business more effectively.
For business owners who are overwhelmed by managing their operations and team, a Strategy Session provides clarity, direction, and an actionable plan to get things under control.
Who Needs a Strategy Session?
If you’ve worked with business owners who struggle with messy backend systems, inefficient workflows, or lack of structure, then offering Strategy Sessions can be an incredibly valuable service.
This type of session is perfect for:
✅ Coaches and course creators who need help managing team and systems
✅ Service providers scaling to an agency model
✅ Business owners who feel stuck in operations and don’t know what to prioritize
Why Are Strategy Sessions Important?
Statistics show that businesses with well-documented processes and streamlined systems are 30% more efficient than those without clear workflows.
This means that most business owners are leaving money on the table simply because they don’t have the right operational strategies in place.
Here’s the problem:
- Many business owners are too close to their own business to see the gaps
- They lack the structure and strategic planning needed for sustainable growth
- They don’t know what’s actually holding them back from scaling effectively
That’s where a Strategy Session comes in.
By implementing a clear operations plan, you’ll be able to help clients improve efficiency, scale without burnout, and confidently delegate tasks.
✅ Your clients will finally have clarity on what needs to be done and in what order
✅ You’ll position yourself as an expert, increasing your value and pricing as an OBM
✅ You’ll create long-term client relationships by helping them execute the strategy
The best part? You won’t be stuck in day-to-day admin work anymore - you’ll be leading at a higher level.
How a Strategy Session Works
If offering Strategy Sessions sound overwhelming, don’t worry - I’ll break it down step by step so you can start implementing them into your OBM services immediately.
Example #1: Identifying Gaps in Business Operations
Most clients don’t realize how much time and money they waste on inefficient processes. A Strategy Session allows you to audit their systems, tools, and workflows to pinpoint inefficiencies.
For example:
- Are they using too many different tools that don’t integrate?
- Is their team unsure of their roles, leading to miscommunication?
- Are they spending too much time on manual tasks that could be automated?
Once you identify the gaps, you can recommend solutions to streamline their backend operations.
Example #2: Creating a Clear Action Plan
After identifying problem areas, the next step is to help clients prioritize what to fix first. Many business owners struggle with what to focus on, so having an OBM step in to provide a roadmap is invaluable.
For example:
- Phase 1: Clean up and streamline project management tools
- Phase 2: Implement a better team communication process
- Phase 3: Automate repetitive tasks to save time
By breaking the plan into manageable steps, your clients will feel less overwhelmed and more empowered to take action.
Example #3: Improving Team & Systems Efficiency
One of the biggest pain points for business owners is not knowing how to effectively manage their team. A Strategy Session helps them optimize team workflows, create accountability, and implement better systems.
For example:
- Are tasks being assigned clearly, or are things slipping through the cracks?
- Does the team have a clear SOP library to reference?
- Are meetings productive, or do they waste time?
An OBM provides high-level operational guidance to ensure the business runs smoothly and efficiently.
Tips for Offering Successful Strategy Sessions
If you’re ready to start offering Strategy Sessions, here are a few tips to maximize their impact:
1️⃣ Start with a pre-session intake form
- Have clients answer specific questions about their business before the call
- This allows you to come prepared with insights and tailored recommendations
2️⃣ Focus on creating an actionable roadmap
- Clients should walk away with a clear, step-by-step plan
- Make sure they understand what needs to happen next
3️⃣ Provide a summary and follow-up recommendations
- Send a session recap with key takeaways and next steps
- Offer additional implementation support or a retainer package
Start Offering Strategy Sessions Today
I hope this guide to providing Strategy Sessions as an Online Business Manager has been helpful! If you take anything away from this, remember:
➡️ Business owners are overwhelmed and need strategic guidance - this is where YOU step in as an OBM.
➡️ By offering Strategy Sessions as an OBM, you can provide clarity, direction, and an actionable plan to help clients streamline their businesses.
➡️ The best way to get started is to create a structured system for onboarding and managing your clients.
Want to Set Up an OBM Strategy Session Framework?
If you’re thinking, “This sounds great, but how do I structure my OBM services so I can start offering this?” - I’ve got you covered.
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