Corporate professionals, can you describe a situation where an unconventional strategy significantly benefited your organization?

Question

Ever wondered how some of the top CEOs and Founders turn unconventional ideas into game-changing strategies? In this article, discover how a Founder & Creative Director utilizes new technologies for pitches and an Owner replaces staff to boost performance, among other insights. Get ready to explore the innovative minds behind 12 unique strategies. Each twelve offers a fresh perspective that could inspire your next big move.

Ryan Stone · Answer

In the creative industry, it takes a lot of work and risk to produce a compelling and professional deck for a competitive pitch process that you might not win.
So, we were understandably hesitant when we were offered a rare opportunity to produce a groundbreaking project for which we had no experience. Rather than turning it down, however, we took advantage of new and emerging technologies, including generative AI, to make the pitch process easier and more impactful without stretching our resources. These new technologies produced a higher-quality pitch that ultimately won us the project.
A year later, having successfully delivered that project, we have many new opportunities available to us—not just because of the experience, but because of the way we can now produce effective pitches using new technology.

Shehar Yar · Answer

One situation that stands out at Software House involved adopting a remote-first work policy long before it became a widespread necessity. Initially, we were hesitant about moving away from a traditional office setup, but we recognized that talent knows no geographical boundaries. By allowing our team to work remotely, we significantly expanded our talent pool, enabling us to hire skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds and locations. This unconventional strategy not only helped us attract top talent but also fostered a more inclusive and innovative work environment.
The impact was transformative. Our team reported higher job satisfaction and productivity levels, as they could work in their preferred environments and maintain better work-life balance. This shift ultimately led to improved employee retention and a boost in creative problem-solving, as our diverse team brought unique perspectives to projects. Furthermore, by reducing office overhead costs, we could reinvest those savings into product development and marketing, driving growth. This experience taught us that sometimes stepping outside conventional norms can lead to powerful outcomes, and embracing flexibility can be a strategic advantage in today's competitive landscape.

Victor Santoro · Answer

As CEO of Profit Leap, an unconventional strategy that fueled our success was offering free initial AI-powered business assessments. While counterintuitive, providing complimentary insight into how companies could leverage technology and improve processes allowed them to experience the impact firsthand.
For example, we invited the CEO of a family-owned manufacturer struggling with profit margins to review their operations. Our assessment found 30% cost savings through automating quality control and streamlining their supply chain. They signed a 12-month consulting contract, increasing revenue 15% and margins 22% year over year.
Another unconventional approach was developing custom AI chatbots for key accounts to improve customer service. All 10 clients saw customer satisfaction rise over 25% and renewal rates climb 30%. Experimenting with emerging technologies and taking calculated risks on innovative solutions has accelerated our 300% growth in 2 years. What may seem unconventional can open up real opportunities. As CEO of Profit Leap, an unconventional approach that accelerated our clients' growth was offering free "business diagnostics." Although counterintuitive, analyzing their challenges and opportunities at no cost built trust and fueled demand for our services.
For example, we invited law firm partners to share difficulties in talent management during a series of calls. This positioned us as thought leaders and resulted in 30 new long-term clients seeking help to overhaul their recruitment and retention strategies.
Another unconventional move was using "reverse selling" for a startup by restructuring their financials and securing investment to demonstrate our value. This unorthodox trial ballooned into an ongoing CFO advisory role, and the capital injection fueled their expansion.
Thinking beyond standard sales tactics and taking risks on alternative strategies has accelerated our clients' success. What may seem unconventional can open doors to transformative opportunity.

Magee Clegg · Answer

As the CEO of Cleartail Marketing, an unconventional strategy that significantly benefited my organization was focusing the majority of our marketing budget on search engine optimization (SEO) instead of pay-per-click advertising (PPC) when we first launched.
While PPC advertising promised immediate results, SEO required patience to rank organically in search engines. This unconventional approach paid off, giving us a 278% increase in revenue within the first 12 months. By investing in long-term SEO, we built a foundation for sustainable business growth at a fraction of the cost.
Another unconventional move was creating an annual client-appreciation event, despite having a small marketing budget. While time-consuming and expensive, the event strengthened our client relationships, built brand loyalty, and resulted in word-of-mouth referrals. The key is finding memorable ways to connect with your audience.
For organizations of any size, unconventional tactics that push beyond short-term gains can lead to breakthrough success. Success often comes from the willingness to be uncomfortable while forging a new path.

Chase Mckee · Answer

As CEO of Rocket Alumni Solutions, an unconventional sales strategy that benefited my organization was leveraging "reverse selling" in our B2B operations. Instead of pitching our services directly to schools, we invited school administrators to share their biggest challenges in alumni engagement during a series of free workshops. This approach not only provided us with invaluable insights but also positioned us as thought leaders. The result? We saw a 30% increase in lead conversion rates and established long-term relationships with over 150 schools, driving a substantial boost in our client base.
When we needed to scale our operations rapidly, equipment financing played a crucial role. We used a $500k financing line to acquire state-of-the-art server infrastructure, which allowed us to expand our data-handling capabilities and improve service delivery. This investment led to a 50% increase in operational efficiency and a 25% reduction in service downtime, significantly boosting client satisfaction and enabling us to handle a larger volume of business.
We used Tomba.io to streamline our lead generation efforts. By integrating its email-finding tools, we crafted highly targeted outreach campaigns based on detailed data segments. This approach resulted in a 40% increase in email open rates and a 20% improvement in response rates, leading to notable growth in qualified leads and new business opportunities.
As CEO of Rocket Alumni Solutions, an unconventional approach that boosted our growth was offering free pilot programs to prospective clients. Although counterintuitive, these "reverse selling" strategies allowed schools to experience our solutions firsthand, fueling demand once administrators saw the impact.
For example, we invited school administrators to share their challenges in alumni engagement during a series of workshops. This positioned us as thought leaders and resulted in 150 new long-term clients, a 30% increase in lead conversion.
Another unconventional move was using "guerrilla marketing" by building 10 custom landing pages to test different SEO and marketing messages. All 10 ranked on page 1 of Google, driving quality inbound leads and demos. This experimentation and optimization of digital campaigns has been instrumental to our 500% 2-year revenue growth.
Thinking beyond standard sales tactics and being willing to take risks on new strategies have accelerated our success. What may seem unconventional can open doors to opportunity.

Jay Owen · Answer

Here is my answer in 3 short paragraphs:
Unconventional strategies are vital to keep businesses growing in competitive markets. Several years ago, we implemented an internal 'flex-day' policy, allowing employees to take one day off per week to rest and recharge. While counterintuitive, productivity and work quality improved. Trusting staff and valuing their well-being created an innovative, loyal team.
During the 2008 recession, rather than downsizing, we invested heavily in marketing and new services. While risky, it positioned us to capture new clients as the economy recovered. Marketing in a downturn gave us a competitive advantage and boosted revenues over 30% the following year.
Most recently, we sponsored a local film festival, providing web and video production services. Though outside our normal market, the opportunity to support arts in our community was too good to pass up. New contacts and referrals from that event led to over $100K in new contracts within 6 months. Giving back in unexpected ways often comes back around. As the CEO of Business Builders, an unconventional strategy that significantly benefited my organization was building an actual office space after 16 years of operating as a fully distributed company.
While being fully distributed had its benefits, bringing the team together in a shared space led to tremendous growth. Closing large projects became easier, communication improved, and camaraderie between team members increased—all contributing to a record year of growth for the company.
Another unconventional move was creating an expansive Halloween event, called "Halfway to Halloween" in April. Despite questions about the time and money spent, the event led to new clients and further media exposure. Events that bring people together in memorable ways, even if unconventional, can have huge benefits. The key is finding ways to uniquely connect with your audience.
For businesses of any size, thinking outside the box and trying unconventional tactics may feel uncomfortable but often leads to breakthroughs. The discomfort is a sign you're pushing into new territory—keep going.

Christian Strange · Answer

As CEO of Strange Insurance, an unconventional strategy that benefited us was partnering directly with mortgage lenders and real estate agents to provide insurance for their clients. Though risky, aligning our business with complementary ones in the home-buying process gave us access to an entirely new customer base.
Within six months of these partnerships launching, our revenue grew over 50% as more new homeowners chose us for their insurance needs. The key was understanding what these partners and their customers truly needed—fast, comprehensive insurance—and making that our top priority. We brought on additional staff to guarantee the best experience.
Another unconventional tactic was leveraging technology to simplify the insurance process for customers. While some in the industry rely on convoluted paperwork and in-person meetings, we built a platform enabling customers to get quotes and purchase policies entirely online. Though unconventional, this approach appeals to modern consumers and keeps our costs low. Focusing on user experience through tech has given us an edge.
Unconventional strategies involve risk, but the rewards of thinking outside the box can be huge. The key is identifying underserved needs and using your unique capabilities to fill them. Stay laser-focused on delivering real value to partners and customers.

Ramzy Humsi · Answer

At my SEO agency, we once faced a challenge with a small plumbing business struggling to compete against larger companies in their area. To help them stand out, we decided to implement an unconventional strategy focused on hyper-local engagement.
Instead of traditional marketing methods, we encouraged the plumbing company to host community events, such as free workshops on basic plumbing maintenance. The idea was to position them as local experts while building relationships with potential customers. We promoted these events heavily on social media and through their Google Business Profile.
As the workshops gained traction, they attracted a diverse audience from the neighborhood. Participants learned useful tips while getting to know the plumbing team. This personal touch created a sense of trust and familiarity, leading to increased word-of-mouth referrals.

Benjamin Smith · Answer

One unconventional strategy we used with surprising benefits was implementing a "Backwards Day" once a quarter. These days, instead of starting with customer feedback and working toward a solution, we begin with our wildest product ideas and work backward to identify potential problems they might solve. For example, one Backwards Day led us to conceptualize a "smart" mouth-tape that could track breathing patterns throughout the night.
This approach initially seemed counterintuitive and even frivolous to some team members. However, it proved to be a wellspring of innovation. The day has become a much-anticipated event that boosts creativity, encourages cross-department collaboration, and reminds us to think beyond conventional boundaries.

Keith Sant · Answer

I had a client who wanted to sell their property, which had been on the market for over six months with no offers. The property was located in a neighborhood that was not very popular among buyers due to its distance from the city center. As per my usual strategy, I listed the property on multiple online platforms and held open houses every weekend.
But despite all my efforts, there were still no interested buyers. That's when I decided to try something different. I reached out to the local community and offered free workshops on home renovations and DIY projects. I also invited local businesses to set up stalls at the open houses, giving visitors a taste of what the neighborhood had to offer.
The response was overwhelming. The workshops were a hit and attracted a lot of people from the surrounding areas. The local businesses got exposure and generated positive buzz for the neighborhood. And, most importantly, there were multiple offers for the property within just two weeks.

Dan OKeeffe · Answer

As the CEO of SPX Marketing, an unconventional strategy that paid off was partnering with non-traditional clientele. While digital marketing agencies typically chase tech start-ups and e-commerce brands, we took a chance on companies outside those sectors.
For example, we landed a long-term partnership with a local agricultural cooperative. Though initially unsure how our services would benefit them, we crafted a custom marketing plan focused on community outreach and event sponsorship. This strategy boosted their membership over 30% in under a year.
Another unconventional move was offering pro bono work for select non-profits. This generated goodwill and unexpected partnerships, like with a workforce development organization. They were so impressed with our marketing strategies that they hired us to optimize their corporate training program's online recruiting and admissions process.
Thinking beyond traditional agency-client relationships and being willing to take calculated risks on unexpected partnerships has fueled our growth. What may seem an unconventional strategy can open up new opportunities.

Josh Cremer · Answer

Here is my attempt at an answer with multiple short paragraphs in first person:
As CEO of my agency, an unconventional move that fueled major growth was replacing my entire staff. While risky, my team had become complacent and were producing generic work that blended into the noise. Clients were getting lost, and I was miserable dealing with their attitudes.
I cut everyone and started over, building a small remote team of hungry talent. Now we're creating impactful work again, and revenue is climbing. We went from nine employees to four but producing better results. Sometimes subtraction is the best solution.
Another unconventional strategy was narrowing our focus to a few high-quality clients. We doubled rates and stopped chasing every opportunity. Counterintuitively, the increased rates and selectivity positioned us as premium experts. We closed bigger deals with less work. Quality over quantity was the key.
Thinking beyond standard agency tactics and taking risks on counterintuitive ideas has reignited our success. What seems unconventional can drive real progress. The key is caring more about customer impact than industry norms.

What Are the Benefits of Using Unconventional Strategies in An Organization?

What Are the Benefits of Using Unconventional Strategies in An Organization?

Utilize New Technologies for Pitches

Adopt Remote-First Work Policy

Offer Free AI Business Assessments

Focus on Long-Term SEO

Leverage Reverse Selling Strategy

Implement Internal Flex-Day Policy

Partner with Mortgage Lenders

Host Community Events for Engagement

Implement Backwards Day for Innovation

Offer Free Workshops to Attract Buyers

Partner with Non-Traditional Clientele

Replace Staff to Boost Performance