Strategy Alignment & Leadership Execution | Marina Lukyanova
Fix the gap between strategy and execution
I’m Marina Lukyanova, Fractional COO & Strategy Alignment Advisor
Your strategy looks solid. Your teams are busy.
But growth is stalling, priorities clash, and progress doesn’t compound.That’s strategy–execution misalignment.
It's expensive: the disconnect between functions like Marketing & Sales alone results in a loss of >10% of annual revenue.I help scaling and pivoting companies surface the misalignment, fix it, and rebuild momentum.
what they say
HOW IT WORKS
Phase 1: Diagnose
Sharp questions. Fast insight. Spot the root issue.Phase 2: Align & Simplify
Reset priorities. Remove friction. Create clarity.Phase 3: Execute with Flow
Act in sync. Stay focused. Build momentum.
I help turn business plans into operational reality
What You Get
Clarity on priorities and trade-offs
Smoother decision-making
Faster execution
Fewer dropped balls and misfires
More traction where it counts
Reduced founder/exec burnout
Sharper team accountability
Clear roles, less duplication
Better internal communication
Ops that match your business stage
…and less firefighting every week
What I offer: from overwhelmed to in sync
Different companies need different levels of support.
From a fast diagnosis to full leadership, these offers meet you where you are.
Choose the depth of support that fits your current needs
Alignment
Audit
Find what’s out of sync and how to fix it
Decision paths and ownership
Initiative drift and silo risks
Priorities, metrics, cadence
Embedded
Leadership
Turn alignment into execution and momentum
Cross-functional planning and delivery
Exec decision support and run cadence
Leadership continuity through change
Investor
Readiness
Remove funding friction with a clear, credible story and plan
Strategic narrative and proof points
Execution readiness and runway plan
Founder positioning and materials
Clarity
session
60 minutes to unblock a real issue and decide next steps
Diagnose the blocker
Structure the path forward
Concrete actions you can take now
Not sure what fits?
Let’s talk it through. I’m happy to help you choose the right level of support.
About me
I am Marina Lukyanova, Fractional COO & Strategy Alignment Advisor helping scaling and pivoting companies close the gap between strategy and execution.
"Even during downturns, Marina adapts fast, keeps the team motivated, and delivers high quality work."
"Honest, smart, and unafraid of hard conversations. Marina brings real leadership."
Calm clarity in complex situationsMy background spans international markets, ad hoc strategic initiatives, and system-level change often where there’s no playbook. From think tanks to investor readiness to expansion planning, I help companies realign priorities, connect the dots across teams, and move forward decisively.Where others see complexity, I see patterns. My strength is in distilling what matters and turning it into clear, aligned action: from high-level strategy to the operational day-to-day.I work with founders, functional leaders, and transformation teams navigating strategy–execution friction in times of growth, change, or restructuring.
Work in action: From Strategy to Traction
Context: An investor wanted to explore creating a new global business in architectural and engineering outsourcing, leveraging BIM technology. The goal was to test viability, develop a business plan and define the most effective entry strategy. After approving it and confirming €7M+ investment invited to launch the global venture.
Action: As part of the core strategy team, I led the international market entry stream. I conducted research into construction and engineering demand, BIM adoption, and regulatory frameworks across multiple geographies.
• Assessed market potential, legislation, and risks.
• Identified country options and evaluated risk mitigation strategies.
• Developed a business plan with the team, including commercial model, entry strategy, and acquisition path.
• Prepared an M&A and go to market roadmap.
• Managed screening of 76,000 companies → narrowed to 15 → shortlisted 2 acquisition targets with £5M turnover.
• Selected and negotiated with M&A advisors and due diligence experts, achieving ~10% fee savings and expanded scope.
• Managed negotiations with candidate companies (NDA, NBO, due diligence, integration planning, draft SPA).
Result: The project secured €7M+ investment approval with a 4 year payback forecast. A UK market entry roadmap was endorsed, with acquisition targets and integration plans fully prepared. The venture was established with a validated global strategy and operational launch path.
Context: Multiple early stage startups (Tech, SaaS, HealthTech, Consumer Sustainability) struggled with investor traction. Founders faced the same obstacles: incomplete data rooms, inconsistent decks, weak compliance signals, and unclear go to market strategies.
Action: • Audited investor materials (decks, financial models, data rooms).
• Flagged compliance gaps and missing validation data.
• Coached founders on investor storytelling, clarity of traction metrics, and realistic roadmaps.
• Built comparative benchmarks to position startups credibly against their markets.
Result: Startups presented sharper, VC ready materials, improved their credibility in investor conversations, and advanced in fundraising processes. Several secured follow up meetings and progressed toward successful capital raising.
Context: Marketing function was dismissed as a tactical “support unit.” Activities were scattered, outputs had no measurable value, and internal perception was low. The company needed to transform marketing into a function capable of driving revenue and industry positioning.
Action: Led full transformation from scattered activities to integrated business function. Market Repositioning & Growth Strategy
• Designed and implemented a complete transformation roadmap.
• Built a marketing team of 6 with new structure, role clarity, and reporting systems.
• Introduced cross functional collaboration with sales and business unit leaders.
• Crafted new positioning across Oil & Gas, FMCG, and Public Sector verticals, aligning product portfolio with client transformation needs.
• Delivered new corporate style, refreshed brand positioning
• Introduced new sales enablement tools and built alignment with business unit heads to deliver consistent client narratives.
Result:
Marketing was established as a strategic growth lever. Employee satisfaction and cross departmental efficiency improved, formed a network of 200+ partners. The Company became recognized as a true “Transformation Partner,” not just an ERP implementer. The revenue doubled (2x) in 2 years.
Context: Technical managers delivered great work but lacked visibility and influence with clients. Their ability to lead industry dialogue was limited, which hindered both personal growth and company reputation.
Action: Designed and launched a leadership development initiative: partnered with HR to bring in external coaches, set up training in public speaking and publishing, and personally supported several high potential leaders through mentoring and joint client initiatives.
Result: Leaders became recognized as industry speakers, published in trade media, and built stronger client relationships. Division’s gross profit increased from 54% to 64%, proving that leadership visibility reinforced commercial outcomes.
Context: A newly acquired subsidiary was loss making with reputational damage, ineffective processes, and no market traction. Without intervention, it risked becoming a long term liability for the parent group.
Action: • Audited the subsidiary’s operations, and positioning.
• Rebranded the firm as a consulting partner instead of a low value accounting provider.
• Introduced tender sales as a new sales channel that generated 70% of the revenue.
• Designed and implemented a marketing restructure aligned with business development goals.
Result: Within the first year, the subsidiary achieved $500K in sales, gained Top 40 industry ranking, and regained trust with key stakeholders. The turnaround created a foundation for sustainable long term growth.
Context: $18BN Industrial Corporation needed a system to evaluate and control strategic initiatives across >60 industries and 200 countries.
Action: Coordinated the design of a strategic marketing system, bringing together internal and external analytics expertise, developing a methodology covering 1,700+ factors, and structuring the business case for funding.
Result: The $10M+ project received funding approval, a project office was established, and the system’s analytical reports became part of the Company’s strategy planning.
Contact
Need fast insight? Get in touch today
Book a discovery call or send a message using the form below and I will get back to you shortly.
"She uncovered the real issue in my business, and it was not what I thought."
"Her analytical approach helped define painful points in my business."
Strategy Alignment
Alignment Audit
Even when strategy is clear on paper, teams often execute in parallel but not together. Priorities shift, decisions stall, and no one’s quite sure why traction feels slow.This audit reveals what’s misaligned under the surface and what to do about it.I assess how strategy shows up across the organization: from decision-making and ownership clarity to initiative drift and silo behavior. You’ll walk away with a map of your current alignment gaps and a practical path to resolve them.
Ideal for: Founders, COOs, or strategy leads navigating growth, restructuring, or execution stalls
“Helped us cut through the noise and refocus.”
Strategy Alignment
Embedded Leadership
When execution stalls, alignment drifts, or complexity overwhelms internal capacity – ongoing support makes the difference.This offer blends high-context advisory with hands-on leadership.Whether I join as a strategic partner to the CEO or operate as fractional strategy and operations exec, I help you align cross-functional work, reduce friction, and make strategic decisions stick.Support can take the form of:
• Embedded advisory across key initiatives
• Ongoing decision support for execs
• Leadership continuity during transitions or restructuring
Ideal for: Founders, COOs, or transformation leads with internal teams in place but lacking a clear spine to connect strategy with execution
"Marina successfully organized all stages of a complex project, from roadmap to launch. She created a cooperative team culture and delivered under uncertainty."
Investment readiness
Investor Readiness
Funding friction often comes from narrative misalignment, not just numbers.This offer is designed to help founders reposition with clarity and traction.I help you assess what’s getting in the way of investor progress: from unclear positioning to shaky delivery plans or internal misalignment. Together, we sharpen the narrative, close strategy gaps, and make your case investor-ready.This can include:
• Strategic narrative refinement
• Execution readiness audit
• Advisory on fundraising strategy and founder positioning
Ideal for: Post-MVP or growth-stage founders preparing to raise, or already mid-process but not getting traction
“Marina was incredibly helpful in building a solid story around our startup. Definitely a great hire.”
On demand
Clarity session
Need quick clarity on a strategic issue? This is a focused, 60-minute working session where we unpack what’s blocking movement and identify your next steps.This is direct, actionable thinking on your real issue. Bring a challenge and walk away with clearer structure, language, or decisions.
Ideal for: Founders or execs navigating a knotty moment and needing a high-context sounding board
"Marina touched on all the pain points of my business and asked the right questions to help me tackle them. Thank you for the great session."
"Truly transformative”
"Marina is very knowledgeable and direct with her feedback. I loved the session with her - it brought clarity in direction and a great perspective in priorities. Her positive attitude and genuine feedback is rare to have and exactly what I am looking for!"
About me
I am Marina Lukyanova, Fractional COO & Strategy Alignment Advisor helping scaling and pivoting companies close the gap between strategy and execution.
"Even during downturns, Marina adapts fast, keeps the team motivated, and delivers high quality work."
"Honest, smart, and unafraid of hard conversations. Marina brings real leadership."
Calm clarity in complex situationsMy background spans international markets, ad hoc strategic initiatives, and system-level change often where there’s no playbook. From think tanks to investor readiness to expansion planning, I help companies realign priorities, connect the dots across teams, and move forward decisively.Where others see complexity, I see patterns. My strength is in distilling what matters and turning it into clear, aligned action: from high-level strategy to the operational day-to-day.I work with founders, functional leaders, and transformation teams navigating strategy–execution friction in times of growth, change, or restructuring.
My approach
Tailored by design
Every project is different and I don’t bring a template. I build strategy with context and co-create clarity with your team.
"Offering precise strategies and insights"
Calm in high-pressure moments
I’m often brought in when stakes are high, things feel fuzzy, or teams are stretched thin. My role is to stabilize, synthesize, and restore momentum.
"Thank you for showcasing incredible leadership."
"Companies need more leaders like Marina"
Focused and empathic
I lead with precision and care. I don’t micromanage. I create conditions where people can perform at their best and grow into what’s next.
"Her advice is logical, her thinking clear "
"You're an amazing human."
Fluent in complexity
Having lived and worked across multiple countries and languages, I know how to adapt to different mindsets, power dynamics, and organizational rhythms.
"Insightful, attentive, and skilled at breaking down complexity."
"She uncovered the real issue in my business, and it was not what I thought."
"Her analytical approach helped define painful points in my business."
Strategy Alignment Guide
A practical guide to spot and fix misalignment before it slows growth.
Let’s explore how alignment can unlock traction for your team
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