The Strategy Gap (AchieveIt)

Coming soon from AchieveIt... A new show about the space between savvy strategy and practical execution — and everything that can go wrong on the way.

Business leaders spend months ideating and developing the perfect strategy—but when it comes time to operationalize, companies often back down, tucking the corporate strategy away until the following year.

We’re joined by Candice Williams, Strategy Manager at the Development Bank of Jamaica who dives into her hands-on experience in designing and successfully implementing organizational strategies.

Join us as we discuss:

• The importance and role of strategy, common pitfalls, and how to avoid them
• The vital role of cascading sessions in the cultural integration of strategy
• Ways to monitor results and drive accountability

Building a strategy is very different than executing one — great execution of an average strategy is far more valuable than average (or poor) execution of a perfect strategy.

In this episode, we spoke with Joe Rafter, Vice President at Capgemini, who shared the key ingredients for a successful business strategy: authentic leadership, tailored action, resilience, and self-awareness. When leaders embrace these traits, they can help any business through the toughest transformations.

Join us as we discuss:

• Tailoring actions based on an understanding of the difference between strategy development and execution
• What authentic leadership looks like and why it’s critical
• Mental toughness, self-awareness, and resilience as necessities for transformation

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

The healthcare industry is vast and organizations and companies within it are equally as large. Navigating change, especially recent paradigm shifts towards value-based care, can be fraught with challenges for leadership and employees.

Joining our hosts, Jonathan and Joe, for this episode is Teresa Patterson, Strategy and Growth Leader. She has rich experience in navigating the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care, and the critical role leadership plays in fostering a culture of change and effective communication within healthcare organizations. Where do you even start?

Teresa, Joe, and Jonathan walk us through:

• The challenges and strategies in the healthcare industry's transition from a fee-for-service model to value-based care.
• The nuances of change management, including leadership's role, effective communication, and the vital involvement of employees in the change process.
• Insights into the art of balancing empathy and accountability in healthcare leadership, with motivation strategies, organizational behavior considerations, and the connection of frontline employees to broader organizational goals.

The Secrets to Building & Maintaining an All-Star team…

Today we get to sit down with Eric Patten, EVP of Operations at Kingstree, as he takes us through his personal approach to team building and increasing productivity. Eric’s 31 years of experience in nursing helps in his unique role to build effective teams and create long-term relationships with clients. Hear more about how Eric strategically builds and assesses teams, handles workplace turnover, responds to feedback, and approaches customer service.

Join as we discuss:

• Assessing Team Fit in Projects
• Team Building and Turnover in the Workplace
• Communication, Feedback, and Teamwork in Customer Service
• Leadership, Positivity, and Mentorship in Healthcare

Today’s episode features an in-person one-on-one conversation between Joe and Jonathan as they trade thoughts on common mistakes that leaders make in strategy execution, as well as the consequences of those mistakes. Using the news of some costly missteps (and even more costly blame-shifting) from entertainment executives as a jumping-off point, the co-hosts cover everything from effective communication to smart prioritization.

Join Jonathan and Joe as they discuss:

• Closing the feedback loop, even if you’re not using the feedback
• Leaders being fully present and participatory whenever possible
• Considering the perspectives of team members at every level of the organization

Negotiations don’t have to lead to one-sided solutions or unfavorable compromises. In fact, when it comes to effective strategy execution and revenue operations, they shouldn’t!

This week, we’re joined by George DeVardo, VP of Revenue Operations and Strategy at Enthusiast Gaming, who shares his belief in the value of trust and understanding when working toward solutions between decision-makers and team members—whether you’re working within an organization or assisting as a third-party. We also explore how third parties can provide valuable perspectives to help a team arrive at a workable and timely solution, rather than making decisions for them as a subject matter expert.

Join us as we discuss:

• The concept of the best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA)
• Why it’s important to be able to say “No” when developing strategy
• Clarity and prioritization in the planning process
• The difference between internal and external negotiations

When it comes to generative AI, most people are asking the wrong question: Is it good or bad? But the better way to approach this omnipresent topic is by figuring out the RIGHT way to implement the tech into your strategy and processes.

To talk about this, we’re joined by Lisa Esch, Senior Vice President and Chief of Strategy, Innovation, and Industry Solutions at NTT DATA. Lisa provides a crash course on all things generative AI, LLMs, and the risks and calculations any type of organization should be factoring into their decision-making surrounding AI. Lisa’s experiences in healthcare tech—and the lessons she’s learned from witnessing how AI has shifted the industry’s landscape—provide an excellent case study for anyone asking how this game-changing can fit into their operations.

Join us as we discuss:

• The vital role of governance in AI adoption and implementation
• How to think beyond point solutions
• The “build vs. buy” question
• Why leaders need to strive for alignment and prioritization

Sometimes a strategy fails because it’s a poor strategy. But sometimes it fails because it’s not really a strategy at all.

So what are the attributes of a strategy—and how does it differ from other measures implemented to help an organization achieve its goals? Joining us to answer this question (and many others) is Dr. Alok Tewari, Vice President of Operations Strategy and Execution. Alok has leveraged over 20 years of experience in strategy and global business transformations to cultivate an understanding of organizational goals and the multilayered approach to developing strategy within a variety of industries.

Join us as we discuss:

• Separating an organization’s operational aspects from its strategic actions
• Implementing technology for strategic ends—even in legacy industries
• How (and when) to recognize and admit when a strategy needs to be abandoned 
• Communication and alignment across departments to effectively implement strategy

Given how dynamic and complex our world is, there’s no place for rigid and siloed approaches to strategy.

This week, Michael Olaye, SVP and Managing Director of Strategy and Innovation at R/GA, shares his thoughts on developing strategy from a starting-point of flexibility and collaboration. While internal processes and expertise play a vital role in achieving an organization’s goals, too often teams miss out on game-changing solutions and methodologies by refusing to collaborate with outside agencies and industries that provide invaluable perspectives and insights. Michael, Joe, and Jonathan share personal experiences and dissect some useful case studies that illustrate why partnership and agility should be at the core of strategy development.

Join us as we discuss:

• The evolution of strategy over the years
• When it's more advantageous to pursue an internal development versus an external partnership
• Bringing users into the product and strategy development process
• How small companies can have massive impacts on much larger organizations

Notes: Link to Ted Talk discussed during the episode --> https://www.ted.com/talks/knut_haanaes_two_reasons_companies_fail_and_how_to_avoid_them/transcript

When we think about strategy, we usually picture two groups: those who come up with high-level vision, and those who execute that vision through a strategy. But how do we actually get from ideation to execution? And who’s responsible for seeing that through?

Shobhna Upadhyaya, BizOps & Strategy Leader, joins the podcast to talk about business operations (aka BizOps), which she explains as the team responsible for that important middle phase between strategy development and implementation. In demystifying BizOps, strategy leaders across industries can find themselves better equipped to cultivate cross-functional collaboration and overcome challenges within corporate structures and strategy.

Join us as we discuss:

• How to maintain objectivity while being embedded in a specific line of business or functional area
• Strategies for building trust and influence without authority
• Balancing one-on-one conversations and group discussions to foster cooperation and resolve conflicts
• The value of clear ownership and definition of roles in the strategy development process

If you want outside-the-box thinking, it pays to spend some time living outside the box that is conventional strategy and corporate structure.

This week’s guest, Daniel Keene, Director of Strategy & Operations, has taken an unconventional route to his current role in healthcare overseeing the operations and strategy of large patient support systems—with stops along the way in aerospace engineering, CPG sales management, and general aviation. Daniel has leveraged these experiences to transform fragmented strategy and operation models into unified and efficiently executed visions. Throughout our conversation, Daniel shares his insights on some of the easily-forgotten project management fundamentals and core strategy principles, along with some high-level learnings he’s discovered during his time in healthcare.

Join us as we discuss:

• Focusing on a select few critical goals rather than spreading resources too thinly across numerous objectives
• The attributes of effective project management offices (PMOs)
• How to enhance project tracking through integrating qualitative and quantitative data for comprehensive progress insight
• The importance of allocating time during meetings to discuss next steps

This week, hosts Joe Krause (SVP of Strategy Consulting at AchieveIt) and Jonathan Martin (VP of Revenue Operations and Head of Marketing at AchieveIt) have a wide-ranging conversation on how to integrate brainstorming into the strategy process. From dos and don’ts to challenges and benefits, Joe and Jonathan cover how all manner of organizations—especially those looking to pivot or shake things up at the year’s halfway mark—can not only generate great ideas and solicit vital contributions from their entire team, but proceed to put those ideas into game-changing action.

Join as we discuss:

• How diverse perspectives enhance the brainstorming and decision-making processes within organizations
• The role of incentives in aligning strategic plans
• Fostering a more open and effective idea-sharing culture through pre-work and individual brainstorming
• The importance of stress testing when developing and executing strategies

For humans, the fear of change is so real and pervasive that there’s a word for it: metathesiophobia. Even if you didn’t know about this clinical term until now, you’re probably aware that organizations and teams of all types suffer from a fear of change—especially because there’s no shortage of examples of change being implemented ineffectively due to poor strategy or leadership.

In today’s episode, Joe and Jonathan are joined by Lindsey Joerger, Senior Director of Strategy Implementation at USP, who shares her insights on leading without authority and driving effective change management in the realm of strategy. 

Join us as we discuss:

• How to manage change while preserving core organizational values and practices
• The stages of change implementation: storming, forming, and norming
• Crucial elements for building trust within an organization to effectively implement change 
• The need to crystallize a shared vision and goal among team members

When it comes to navigating turbulence and developing strategy in the face of challenges, few industries are more weathered than education. With how quickly education standards and practices are evolving—and how many stakeholders are involved—it’s hard to think of many areas that have more lessons to offer to all manner of strategists.

This week, Larkin Briley, Assistant Vice President of Strategy and Transformation at Belmont University, speaks with Joe and Jonathan about how higher education is navigating turbulent times, including the looming "enrollment cliff" and the decreasing perceived value of degrees. Larkin shares his insights on strategic planning and adaptation, highlighting the use of the OKR framework to align goals and emphasize impactful outcomes.
Join us as we discuss:

• Effective methodologies for setting priorities and measurable outcomes
• Balancing qualitative and quantitative measurements in strategic planning
• The importance of embracing fast iteration and learning from failure

In today’s episode, Joe and Jonathan speak with Strategy & Revenue Operations Leader Lester Ang about the crucial balance between big-picture strategy and detailed work in strategy and revenue operations. A seasoned strategy and revenue operations advisor with a robust background in global teams and growth transformation, Lester brings no shortage of insights when it comes to effective leadership transitions and the role of listening, understanding, and adaptability to gain trust and credibility within any organization.

Join us as we discuss:

• How understanding people’s backgrounds helps when transitioning from an analyst role to a manager role
• Striking a balance between considering a variety of opinions with asserting one’s expertise and experience
• What challenges arise when it comes to incentivizing individuals in cost centers 
• When to zoom in on the details vs. when to zoom out for a broader view

Curious about how universities are navigating the fast-changing landscape of higher education?

In this episode of The Strategy Gap, Jonathan Morgan and Joe Krause welcome Shawn Daley, the Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer at George Fox University, for a deep dive into the challenges and innovations shaping the future of academia.

Discover how higher ed institutions are borrowing strategies from for-profit sectors to stay competitive, hear firsthand how Shawn is revolutionizing student and parent experiences with ideas borrowed from the hospitality and tech industries, and gain insight into the financial hurdles facing smaller schools. If you're looking to understand the next wave of change in higher education, this episode is a must-listen.

Here's what you'll learn in the episode:

• 00:00 - George Fox: Overcoming FAFSA Challenges and Growing
• 3:07 - Challenges of University Governance in a Changing Market
• 7:46 - Exploring the Influence of Hospitality in Real Estate and Urban Planning
• 13:10 - Monthly Staff Meetings and Initiative Reviews 
• 17:04 - Facilitating Faculty Collaboration Through Market Research Team Involvement
• 20:00 - The Chaotic Life of an Administrator
• 23:55 - The Future of Technical and Leadership Training
• 26:06 - Challenges of Higher Education Partnerships
• 29:40 - Enhancing Academic Career Success through Broader Sector Understanding

In this episode of "The Strategy Gap", hosts Jonathan Morgan and Joe Krause engage in a robust conversation with Marc Mertz, the Chief Strategy Officer at Kaweah Health. Marc, who has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, delves into the significant role of a Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). He explains that a CSO is pivotal in leading the development of the strategic plan, engaging various teams in the process, and overseeing the plan’s execution throughout the year. Marc highlights that his position allows him to focus on conceptual strategic thinking, such as developing new services and market positioning, as opposed to being absorbed by day-to-day operational responsibilities.

The discussion further explores the challenge of balancing immediate operational pressures with strategic foresight, especially in a high-stakes environment like healthcare. Marc shares his insights on encouraging executives and staff to allocate mental space for strategic thinking by conducting visioning sessions. He also talks about the importance of transforming complex strategic plans into simplified formats, such as a single-page document that includes the organization’s mission, vision, pillars, and measurable outcomes. This approach not only enhances understanding and visibility but also ensures the strategic plan remains a functional tool rather than a neglected document.

Moreover, the episode emphasizes the vital components of execution and accountability in strategic planning. Marc discusses the use of tools like AchieveIt to track progress, ensure timely updates, and maintain visibility across the organization. He also underscores the significance of regular updates and presentations to leadership teams and the board, which fosters continuous engagement and accountability. The conversation touches on the necessity of annual reviews to adjust plans as needed while celebrating milestones and successes to keep the momentum going. By engaging all levels of the organization and maintaining a structured review process, Marc firmly believes that strategic plans can transition from static documents to dynamic guides that drive meaningful progress.

In this episode:

• 0:00 The Role of the Chief Strategy Officer in Healthcare
• 4:19 Strategic Thinking for Executives During Crisis
• 8:34 Community-Informed Strategic Planning for Organizational Success
• 10:17 Including Stakeholders in Plan Execution: Focusing on Benefits
• 15:44 Scorekeeping and Visibility in Strategic Planning
• 17:41 Managing Control and Pressure in Professional Settings
• 20:43 The Power of Consistency in Achieving Change
• 25:41 The Importance of Adhering to One-Year Plans
• 27:35 Navigating the First Year: Patience and Focus