The Strategy Gap

Today we’re joined by Adam Sidoti, VP of Revenue Operations at Redwood Logistics, who believes data should lead the conversation, but it needs to be complemented by deeper conversation and empirical evidence to get the full picture. He draws on his background as a Lawyer to highlight the significance of understanding personality profiles and organizational philosophies in creating successful teams. From leveraging data to shape narratives, to managing exits and repositioning individuals, this episode offers valuable insights into talent management and organizational effectiveness.

Join as we discuss:

• Importance of Data-Driven Decision Making
• Human Resources and Organizational Decisions
• Hiring and Organizational Roles
• Individual Personality and Role Fit
• Relying on Data and Trusting Instincts

Everyone wants to claim data-driven success these days and knows that data is important to building and executing successful strategies- but how do we successfully incorporate data into planning and execution?

In this episode, Will Ritchings, Director of Revenue Strategy and Operations at SecurityScorecard, joins Joe and Jonathan to dissect the challenges of data management, share his insights on effective dashboard design, and unravel the key elements for building a successful data strategy.

Join us as they get deep into:

• The crucial interplay of context in data analysis, preventing misinterpretations and fostering informed decision-making.
• Strategies for effective dashboard creation, emphasizing the need for balance and tailored approaches based on diverse audience needs.
• Insights into building a successful data strategy, from prioritizing goals to communicating the time and effort involved.

Strategy consulting is a big industry- but how can it work for you when the path from strategic planning to execution has so many nuances particular to each industry and company?

Before Daniel Goldstein became Director of Strategy and Operations at Array, he spent over eight years working as a consultant in innovation and incubation. This is when he honed his skills and passion for strategy execution, helping fortune 500 companies develop and launch new businesses. He shares his experience from that time and how to best put the right ideas into motion.

Jonathan, Joe and Daniel discuss:

• The delicate balance between prioritizing ideas in startups and aligning large corporate teams for execution
• Insights into hiring strategy consultants and vetting candidates effectively
• How to engage in strategic planning with a focus on adaptability and customized frameworks

Visual storytelling is critical to so much success in branding, but how can these same concepts aid us in strategy planning?

In this episode, Gary Comerford shares his unique background in art and painting, unveiling the profound impact it has on his strategic approach and the transformative power of storytelling in the digital age. We also explored how the integration of diverse skill sets can play a crucial role in strategic leadership and collaboration in organizational success.

Discussed in this episode:

• The relationship between art and strategy, emphasizing the significance of storytelling and visual communication in strategic visioning
• Merging engineering and artistic skill sets for innovative problem-solving
• How collaboration can often be overlooked in successful strategy execution and transformation

How can the path least taken spur innovation in a career? And can it help in strategic planning at the operational level?

Alanna Hughes, Head of Innovation at Per Scholas, discusses her remarkable career path spanning international development and consulting, culminating in leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. Alanna shares the invaluable skills and experiences that have empowered her to drive innovation, emphasizing the importance of diverse learning approaches, embracing experimentation, and the strategic design and execution of initiatives along the way.

Discussed in this episode:

• The significance of embracing experimentation and learning from unique experiences in fostering personal and organizational growth during the innovation process
• The exploration of intrapreneurship as a driving force for change, highlighting the development of skills like emotional intelligence, relationship building, and strategic design and execution within organizations to catalyze innovation
• How a diverse career path can lead to roles in innovation and leadership

It’s already nearing the end of 2023 and we are here to help you kick off your 2024 organizational planning.

We are doing something a little different this episode to help our listeners start to think through their strategic planning as the year comes to a close. Our hosts Jonathan Morgan and Joe Krause, together with seasoned expert Lindsay LeFaivre, share valuable strategies and experiences they have learned during their combined years in the field.

Together they delve into the importance of dedicated time for annual planning, involving stakeholders in decision-making, and adapting plans to changing business dynamics. Our listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to enhance your annual planning process and drive success for your organization.

Don’t miss our suggestions and tips on:

• Navigating the intricacies of annual planning for organizations and the importance of retrospectives
• Crafting effective KPIs and metrics for a comprehensive performance evaluation.
• Learning from planning mistakes, optimizing time allocation, and prioritizing effective communication in organizational development
• Practical advice on group decision-making dynamics, and embracing effective communication

Embarking on a successful organizational strategy goes beyond what meets the eye.

While strategy, innovation, and change management are vital, they often remain obscured beneath more tangible organizational outcomes. Leaders must dig deep to comprehend the mechanics that drive a staggering 80% of outcomes. Deborah Roethler, an Innovative Change Manager with experience with companies like Amazon, Caterpillar, the City of Peoria and more, advocates a fluid approach to strategy, adapting to the evolving landscape rather than adhering rigidly to predetermined plans.

Join us as we unravel the intricacies of organizational strategy and discuss:

• The detrimental impact of overlooking hidden organizational dynamics
• Strategies for effective employee engagement, trust-building, and change management
• Building an adaptive strategy that fosters transparency, agility, and active participation for sustained organizational growth

Strategic plan management can be the deciding factor between a boom or a bust for your organization.

Managing execution and minimizing day-to-day distractions is crucial for successful organizational growth. A key way to accomplish this is is by building a best-in-class leadership team with remarkable talent for the appropriate stage. But evolving strategies, and evolving leadership styles, can be a challenge during stages of growth. Mark Flickinger, General Partner and COO at BIP Ventures, shares tips for building a top-tier team and executing a strategic plan that adapts with organizational growth.

Join us as we discuss:

• Building a successful team in a tough labor market
• Aligning team expertise through organizational phases
• Formulating a laser-focused strategic plan while minimizing distractions

It’s not a secret — your organization needs collaboration, communication, and streamlined execution for strategy to succeed. But getting to a point where all three of these aspects are effective can be challenging.

To bridge the divide between leadership and enabling teams to collectively achieve goals, there has been a rise in the instrumental role of Chief of Staff. Once limited to political and healthcare industries, companies from every sector are integrating this position and seeing major benefits. We’re joined by Jordan Gadd, Chief of Staff at Heluna Health, who discusses his experiences in the role and how you can implement the position to create impactful movement and growth within your organization.

Join us as we discuss:

• The pivotal role of the Chief of Staff in facilitating collaboration, communication and execution
• Building flexibility and adaptability into your leadership for impactful execution
• The power of authentic storytelling and effective communication

It can be difficult to implement a strategic plan when it’s filled with an unstable, impossible, and frustrating amount of initiatives. The consequences are losing the richness of what your team is successful at and spreading themselves too thin.

But it doesn’t have to be that way!

We’re joined by Brenda Merritt, Dean, Faculty of Health, and Suzie Officer, Executive Director, Planning and Strategy, Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University. We dove deep into how to manage and execute strategic plans that are thoughtfully focused on balancing strategic priorities, while also being doable and exciting for teams.

Join us as we discuss:

• The value of prioritizing important elements within the strategic plan, including taking the extra time to identify the key stakeholders
• The importance of presenting the strategic plan as a team plan and not as an individual one, actively listening to your team members, and how to develop a supportive company culture that influences strategy execution.
• Unexpected challenges and how to lean on your team to create solutions that encourage smooth execution.