Meet Olga Merzlyakova, an experienced strategy consultant and startup mentor. For more than 10 years, she worked at a well-known strategy consultancy, advising top-level managers and CEOs of big companies on large deals and crucial decisions.
Inspired by the positive changes her structured approach brought to her clients, Olga always dreamed of sharing these top-tier methods with businesses of all sizes.
So she started OM Strategy. She firmly believes that every business, regardless of size, can succeed with the right strategy. While traditional top strategy consultancies charge hundreds of thousands or even millions, OM Strategy breaks barriers.
OM Strategy makes valuable knowledge, methodologies, tools, and frameworks accessible to anyone seeking business growth, whether a startup, small business, or solopreneur. Its unique methodology is grounded in facts, analytics, and quantitative assessment, providing a reliable foundation for businesses to thrive and reach their full potential.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day involves working on client projects and creating content, such as articles, blog posts, or social media updates. I’ve found a productive rhythm by breaking my work into 90-minute chunks (I call them ‘sprints,’) usually completing 6 or 7 of these in a day. After each sprint, I take a small break—whether it’s enjoying a coffee, taking a short walk, etc. This combination of routine and little rewards helps me stay focused and energized throughout the day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
When an idea takes root in my mind, I become completely immersed in developing it. It’s not uncommon for me to become so focused that I forget about sleep and food until the idea starts taking shape. However, once the initial spark subsides, I bring in project management tools. This might include breaking down tasks, assigning priorities, and setting deadlines. Creating a visible list helps me stay organized, and there’s a sense of accomplishment every time I mark a task as ‘complete,’ giving me a boost of dopamine to keep the momentum going.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that genuinely excites me is Generative AI. The possibilities it opens up are still unfolding, and I discover new applications and opportunities every day. This technology has played a pivotal role in boosting my confidence to venture into independent consulting. It supports me in tackling tasks I’ve never done before but have to do to promote my services, such as copywriting, graphic design, and video editing. Moreover, it helps structure client deliverables, making it an invaluable tool for my work.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I find that my sports routine significantly boosts my productivity. Almost every day (with very few exceptions), I exercise for 30-60 minutes. This serves as my way of processing the events of the day, providing an energy boost, and giving me a satisfying sense of accomplishment for taking time for myself.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could advise my younger self, I would say: dare to try out different things and don’t be afraid to start anew.
Too often, we limit our potential due to the fear of failure or concerns about others’ opinions. This, I’ve learned, is a significant mistake. There is a quote that resonates with me: ‘Fear is the killer of dreams.’ The key is to do something outside your comfort zone every day, something that challenges and even scares you. This will propel you much further than you could imagine. Remember, you fail by not starting.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I hold a belief that might not align with common views: in many situations, there is no universal ‘right’ or ‘wrong.’ What’s considered ‘right’ is unique and varies for each individual. We watch the same movie and everyone sees something unique for themselves. Often, people invest a great deal of energy trying to prove to others they are right, leading to inefficiency. I believe the real potential lies in directing that energy towards understanding what is right for oneself and working towards achieving it, rather than persuading others to see it the same way.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I find value in applying business methodologies and frameworks to my daily life, particularly in the area of goal setting. Setting clear goals and then working backwards to define the steps helps maintain focus. SMART goals, in particular, serve as a valuable tool not only for achievement but also for knowing when to exit a project or pivot.
The human psyche often plays tricks on us, especially when we become emotionally invested in a project or activity. We miss the point where it might make more sense to stop doing it. SMART goals provide a natural milestone, prompting a reevaluation of our approach and potential pivoting if the desired outcome hasn’t been achieved within the planned timeframe. It’s a practical approach that ensures constant reflection and adaptability in both personal and professional projects.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I have a simple remedy: I walk it off, or (even better) run it off. Changing the physical environment also works wonders for me. My go-to creative space is a coffee shop; the controlled chaos outside serves as white noise that helps me concentrate and unlock creativity. Discovering the tools that maximize your brain’s potential is an individual journey. Allow yourself to experiment and find what works for you.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Persistence. I have consistently been the hardest working person on a team, fully committed to doing the right thing for my clients. This dedication has paid off over time, leading to tangible success and career progress.
They say you need 10 thousand hours to master something. For a normal workweek this would mean ca. 250 weeks or 5 years, but in the last 10+ years I worked on average the double of these hours, so it allowed me to collect much more experiences, knowledge and skill. With this massive amount of experience, I am able to see the business problems and solutions much more clearly, come up with relevant ideas and shortcuts for my clients, and solve problems faster.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
In the early years of my career, I underestimated the importance of perception over substance. I believed that doing a great job alone would naturally lead to recognition. Once as a junior (and very ambitious) consultant, a client asked my manager to remove me from a project. He was afraid I would not be able to effectively deliver the project. Knowing my dedication, my manager talked the client into leaving me on the team. The result went above and beyond any client’s expectations. It was a pivotal moment that reshaped how I approach my projects and interactions, emphasizing the balance between substance and perception. It underscored a lesson I now share with my clients: having an outstanding product is just the beginning; you must also master the art of strategically communicating its value to your audience.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Many people in my circle often say they’d love to start a business but lack an innovative idea. What if starting a business didn’t require new ideas? We enjoy a variety of products because not every business needs to be groundbreaking. Ideas are everywhere; I wake up to new ones every day. The key is learning how to spot them.
One way is to explore your profession or passion – I’m sure you can turn it into a business!
Another way is to solve a problem you’ve encountered that no one has solved for you. Recently, I faced the challenge of choosing a mattress and realized how many factors come into play for the right decision. That led me to think about a personalized (perhaps AI-based) mattress advisor – one that measures your body, analyzes your sleep patterns and micro-environment, and provides a tailored sleeping solution. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find such a service, but I would absolutely love to use it! So, I would be your first loyal client if you started this business.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One indispensable piece of software that enhances my productivity is… the Notes app on my iPhone. I use it as a one-stop-shop to collect ideas, write down to-dos, document meeting minutes, and store relevant documents. Its simplicity and versatility allow me to quickly search for and access crucial information whenever I need it.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
The best $100 I recently spent was on joining a community of female entrepreneurs. When starting something new it is very important to surround yourself with people who share your values and support you. Many people don’t start new things because they don’t find enough support within their circle. So finding the right community provides a safe space and empowerment that extends beyond the financial commitment.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
Among the impactful books that have significantly influenced my perspective recently is ‘Essentialism: the Disciplined Pursuit of Less’ by Greg McKeown. As someone who tends to be an overachiever, I found this book to be a game-changer in reevaluating my approach to productivity. If you find yourself caught in the trap of overcommitting without reaping the desired rewards (or as the author of the book put it “majoring in minor activities”), I strongly recommend you read this book. It initiates a process of self-discovery, prompting the reader to better understand where to invest precious time and energy. Furthermore, it offers practical tools to streamline efforts and focus on the essential, ultimately leading to a more meaningful life.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Recently, I was captivated by ‘The Deepest Breath’ on Netflix—a compelling story of dreams, passion, and persistence. Not only does it provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of free diving (a sport I was unfamiliar with before watching the movie), but it also emphasizes that human potential is unlimited and that mindset is the key to unlocking it. The story is absolutely inspiring for anyone who is struggling with doubts.
Key learnings:
- Move every day.
- Don’t be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone. You fail by not starting.
- Surround yourself with people who truly support you: coaches, mentors, community.