What will set your business apart in 2026?
As the market continues to shift and AI transforms how we work, many business owners are asking the same question: How do I stay relevant and keep scaling sustainably?
The key is laser-focusing on the few high-impact things that set you apart and make it easier for the right clients to say yes without getting distracted by the endless new strategies, tactics, and tools.
After working behind the scenes in so many businesses this year, I’m seeing the same three gaps come up over and over again, and they’re the reason most businesses are inadvertently blending in instead of standing out.
There are certain things that forward-thinking businesses are doing to stand out in 2026, which include learning the following:
- What small businesses are hiring for in 2026
- Building AI-enabled businesses that value the human touch
- How to clearly show what makes you different
- The mistake that’s turning away your best-fit clients
- The one shift that makes your services easier to sell
I also unpack this in episode 250 of the Simplify to Scale Show, as well as walk you through how you can work on these things with me in our SOL Collective community.
Historically, our SOL Collective community was only available to clients, but for the first time this year, I am opening up access to a small number of people who want to sharpen their strategic leadership skills, stay ahead of shifting expectations, apply AI with purpose, and elevate their positioning to stand out in an ever-evolving market.
These are the things that will help your business stand out in 2026.
Tune into Episode 250 of the Simplify to Scale Show or keep reading below.
Strategic Leadership: The Future of Small Business
The future of small businesses is strategic.
As AI continues to take on more of the tactical execution, the differentiator will be your ability to lead strategically.
Every founder starts with a vision and a picture of the business they want to create.
However, many struggle to translate that vision into reality.
They’re surrounded by ideas, projects, and opportunities, but lack the clarity and structure to move forward with focus.
That’s where strategic leadership comes in.
Strategic leadership is about:
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Taking a founder’s vision and architecting what the business needs to achieve it
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Building the right team structure and systems to support growth
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Anticipating challenges before they happen
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Staying focused on what moves the needle
Strategic leadership is about thinking differently.
Whether you serve clients directly or lead an internal team, being able to connect the dots, think strategically, and lead through complexity is what will keep your work relevant.
It’s also what will make you indispensable in the years ahead.
Strategic Leadership is one of the things we cover each month in SOL Collective through my SOL Unfiltered private podcast and live open forum Q&A sessions, where we explore real-world scenarios and practical applications of strategic leadership in today’s fast-changing business landscape.
AI Enablement: Working Smarter with Next-Level Tools
AI isn’t replacing human expertise; it’s reshaping how we deliver it.
For every business that wants to scale sustainably, AI fluency is no longer optional.
You need to know:
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Where AI adds value versus where it creates noise
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How to integrate AI tools and agents into your systems and workflows
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How to architect a “lean dream team” that blends human expertise and AI capabilities
The goal is to use AI strategically so you can create more capacity for high-touch, high-value work.
Most businesses are still using AI primarily for content creation and missing the far greater operational possibilities it brings.
In SOL Collective, we host monthly AI Implementation Labs, led by Jessica, where members roll up their sleeves and implement real-world use cases using the same tools.
Each session helps participants take immediate, tangible action.
They walk away with ready-to-use systems, complete with prompts, workflows, and playbooks they can integrate into their client work or their own operations.
Signature Positioning: Standing Out in a Sea of Sameness
In today’s market, where AI-generated content has made everything sound the same, signature positioning has become more critical than ever.
Many seasoned experts struggle to communicate what makes them different.
Their offers, messaging, and marketing sound almost identical to others in their space, making it difficult for potential clients to see their unique value.
Signature positioning helps you:
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Clearly articulate what sets you apart
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Eliminate confusion in your client’s mind
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Create a distinct, elevated client experience
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Confidently charge and deliver at a higher level
Inside SOL Collective, members go through our SOL Archetypes framework, which is a proprietary model built from 30 years of consulting across Fortune 10 to small businesses.
It helps you understand where your natural strengths lie, how to align your messaging with your clients’ current cycle of business, and how to attract the right clients while repelling the wrong ones.
This clarity in positioning allows you to lead conversations, pricing, and delivery from a place of confidence and build a brand that truly stands out.
Building Your Path to a Scalable and Sustainable 2026
The businesses that thrive in 2026 will be the ones that:
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Lead strategically instead of reactively
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Integrate AI intentionally into their operations without losing the human touch
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Know exactly who they serve and how they’re different
Each of these three areas, Strategic Leadership, AI Enablement, and Signature Positioning, requires consistent refinement and focus.
Together, they form the foundation of a business that grows sustainably and delivers exceptional value to clients, regardless of market shifts.
If you’re ready to strengthen these areas and do it alongside a community of peers, now’s the perfect time to join SOL Collective.
You’ll get:
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Two live calls per month: one hands-on AI Implementation Lab and one SOL Unfiltered live Q&A with Crista
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A private audio feed with monthly deep dives on leadership and scaling
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Access to an engaged community of strategic leaders and business owners focused on standing out and scaling smart
For a limited time, the first 50 members can join for only $1,000 for the entire year.
Join today at strategicopsinstitute.com/collectiveand set your business up for a standout 2026.
by Crista Grasso
Crista Grasso is the go-to strategic planning expert for leading global businesses and online entrepreneurs when they want to scale. Known as the "Business Optimizer", Crista has the ability to quickly cut through noise and focus on optimizing the core things that will make the biggest impact to scale a business simply and sustainably. She specializes in helping businesses gain clarity on the most important things that will drive maximum value for their clients and maximum profits for their business. She is the creator of the Lean Out Method, 90 Day Lean Out Planner, and host of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast.
