Need To Know For The CEO

Episode #8

Matt & Ian
Strategy

Understanding Starting Points in Strategy

Matt and Ian delve into the importance of understanding the different starting points leaders have in relation to strategy. They emphasize the variability of strategic maturity across companies, particularly as they progress through different growth stages.

“Often people say we've got a really strong strategy. We dig into it. It doesn't kinda tick the key boxes.”

By addressing these starting points, they aim to guide organizations toward a more cohesive and effective strategy.

The Role of Metrics in Strategy

The discussion highlights the critical role of metrics in forming a robust strategy. Both Matt and Ian stress that strategy without clear metrics is incomplete. Metrics provide structure and help identify strategic levers that can be influenced over time.

“Metrics create a way of checking another model to check our narrative against.”

For more on developing and implementing effective metrics, explore our KPI consulting services.

Identifying Key Challenges and Opportunities

A significant part of the conversation focuses on identifying and addressing the key challenges and opportunities that an organization faces. This involves understanding the crux of the issues and developing strategies to overcome them.

“What do we really need to solve to be strategically successful?”

This step is essential for creating a strategy that not only addresses current issues but also positions the organization for future success.

Focusing and Prioritizing

Matt and Ian discuss the importance of prioritizing strategic initiatives and being willing to say no to certain ideas. This focus ensures that resources are allocated effectively and that the organization can make meaningful progress on its most critical objectives.

“The essence of strategy is what you say no to.”

Understanding how to prioritize effectively is a key indicator of strategic maturity. For guidance on structuring and implementing focused strategies, visit our OKR consulting page.

Increasing Awareness and Alignment

The conversation also covers the need for increasing awareness and alignment of the strategy within the organization. This involves ensuring that everyone can recall and articulate the strategy accurately.

“For important messages, you have to repeat them multiple times and also in multiple ways.”

Creating alignment across the organization helps ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals and understands how their efforts contribute to the overall strategy.

Building Confidence in Strategy

Finally, Matt and Ian emphasize the importance of building confidence in the strategy. This includes having a clear narrative and metrics that support the strategy, as well as fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.

“Having a plan that you believe in is infectious and brings people along for the ride.”

For more insights on building a confident and resilient strategy, explore our OKR coaching services.

By incorporating these elements, organizations can develop a strategy that is not only robust and well-structured but also adaptable and capable of driving sustained success.