Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. Sun Tzu, The Art of War If you’ve ever watched a great basketball team, you know the difference between an extra hard effort and a beautifully orchestrated game plan that is executed to a successful outcome. The distinction between working harder or working smarter matters just as much in building a scalable business. “Gameplan your growth” is a phrase we use with our clients. It’s because most business owners don’t lack ambition, intelligence, or effort. What they lack is a clear game plan — the X’s and O’s that turn activity into results. Without a game plan, business growth becomes exhausting instead of energizing and scaling the business becomes impossible. Why effort alone stops working We often meet owners who are close to their breaking point. They’re working harder than ever, but things still feel chaotic and they don’t feel they’re making progress: • The business depends too heavily on them alone. • The team isn’t aligned. • Decisions get revisited over and over. • Nothing feels finished. • Growth feels fleeting, not sustainable. In basketball, when a team is disorganized, the answer isn’t “play harder.” It’s to slow the game down, reset roles, clarify responsibilities, and get back to fundamentals. Business is no different. Chaos is Calmed by Governance Chaos creates decision fatigue. It pulls owners into everything. It turns leaders into firefighters and organizations into an array of siloed individuals rather than a coordinated team. Over time, chaos doesn’t just limit growth — it drains energy, confidence, and enjoyment. That’s why so many owners feel burned out even when the business is “successful on paper.” Governance must be solidified at the core in order to breed some predictability in what can otherwise be a chaotic uncertain mess. Governance simply means clarity: • Who decides what. • Who owns which outcomes. • How priorities are set. • How progress is measured. Without governance, strategy becomes a suggestion. With governance, it becomes executable. This is why our work with entrepreneurial businesses always starts with structure before scale. The Focus Imperative: choosing what not to do One of the biggest myths in business is that growth comes from doing more. In reality, growth often comes from doing less — but doing the right things well. We call this The Focus Imperative: the discipline to narrow attention, eliminate distractions, and align effort around what actually moves the business forward. Great teams — whether in sports or business — aren’t trying to run every play. They’re executing the right plays at the right time. From chaos to unity When roles are clear, priorities are visible, and expectations are reinforced, something powerful happens: • Teams gain confidence. • Owners regain perspective. • Decision-making speeds up. • Accountability feels fair. Unity comes from clarity at the core. That’s how strong cultures are built. And it’s why the most consistently successful programs — whether you’re looking at perennial contenders in sports or sustainable organizations in business — always emphasize fundamentals, discipline, and shared standards. Long-term success comes from a game plan that emphasizes accountability, alignment, and follow-through. Gameplan your growth If you saw our message during the December 21st UCONN-DePaul basketball game and found yourself nodding along, here are the takeaways: • Growth isn’t about more effort. • It’s about focus, better structure, and better roles. • It requires clear priorities and a trusted game plan that your team will buy into. When the X’s and O’s are clear, scaling isn’t chaotic. Its focused and pure.

A practical, safe starting point for firms that want clarity without the hype Most CPA firms know AI is coming, but partners tell us the same thing: they’re not sure where to start, and the noise from vendors and alliances isn’t helping. That’s why we created the AI Readiness Review & Roadmap; a 2–3 week engagement designed for small and mid-sized firms that want a clear view of their current state and a practical plan for what comes next. What the Review Includes · A grounded understanding of where your firm stands today, including the tools and informal practices already in use · A look at staff readiness, partner alignment, and risk considerations · Identification of safe, appropriate AI use inside your current systems · A review of your existing tools (whether you’re using none, a few, or more than partners realize) · A simple roadmap outlining practical next steps, including where a future pilot may make sense — if you choose to pursue one What This Is Not · Not a workflow mapping project · Not a workshop or training program · Not a vendor evaluation or tool rollout This engagement is about clarity, confidence, and helping partners understand what’s right for their firm — without disruption, and without pressure to adopt anything they’re not ready for. What You Receive · A concise executive brief with findings and recommendations · A 90-day roadmap with practical, low-risk steps · A starter view of governance and reviewer accountability so you can use AI safely · Optional guidance on how a future pilot could be structured, tailored to your firm’s size and systems Who It’s For Ideal for small and mid-sized CPA firms that: · Want to use AI safely and effectively but aren’t sure where to begin · Need clarity before choosing tools or launching internal initiatives · Want to move at a measured pace that protects quality and client service · Prefer a calm, neutral alternative to vendor-driven AI messaging FAQ – AI Readiness Review & Roadmap Do we need AI tools in place before starting? No. Many firms have no formal AI tools, and some have tools being used informally without partners realizing. The review starts with wherever you are today. Does this require training staff or rolling out software? No. There is nothing to buy and nothing to install. The focus is clarity, readiness, and sensible next steps. Will this disrupt client work? No. The engagement is lightweight and conversational. We work around schedules and avoid pulling staff away during peak periods. Does this include workflow mapping or process redesign? No. This is not a workflow or process engineering engagement. It’s a readiness and strategy project. Will we get a recommendation on pilots? Only if a pilot makes sense for your firm. The roadmap may include suggestions, but you are not committing to run one. How long does it take? Most firms complete the review in 2–3 weeks, depending on availability for short conversations. What do we walk away with? A clear picture of your current state, a 90-day roadmap, and next steps that fit your size, systems, and risk profile. Is this appropriate for firms that want to move slowly? Yes. This offering is specifically designed for firms that want clarity without hype, pressure, or disruption.