We approached three of our existing clients with an exciting proposal: to collaborate with us in testing our new key product—”Strategy Execution Diagnosis”—within their businesses. The offer was straightforward: in exchange for their involvement, we would conduct the research entirely free of charge.
Predictably, all three clients posed the same question: “And what’s in it for me?”
Our response was simple yet compelling. Participating in this initiative would enable them to benchmark their performance against the others, uncovering actionable insights to improve their operations. Specifically, we promised to help them gain clarity on the following critical dimensions:
- How SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) their objectives were.
- The extent of their preparedness for future challenges.
- The efficacy of their governance tools in supporting strategy execution.
- The overall effectiveness of their decision-making processes.
This value proposition immediately captured their interest, and they agreed to participate. This mutual agreement not only allowed us to refine our new product but also offered these clients a unique opportunity to enhance their organizational practices. Here’s how the project unfolded and the impact it had.
The Approach
To kick off the collaboration, we conducted in-depth workshops with each client’s leadership team to define their strategic goals and priorities. Using our “Strategy Execution Diagnosis” framework, we assessed their current capabilities and practices. Data was gathered through surveys, interviews, and document reviews, enabling us to create detailed profiles of each organization.
Our analysis focused on the four key areas we had highlighted: SMART objectives, future preparedness, governance tools, and decision-making effectiveness. We then provided each client with an individualized report, along with a comparative benchmark against the other two participants.
The Findings
The benchmarking exercise revealed diverse strengths and opportunities across the three organizations:
- One client excelled in setting SMART objectives, ensuring their goals were clearly defined and measurable. However, they identified gaps in preparing for long-term challenges.
- Another client showcased advanced governance tools that streamlined strategy execution but struggled with consistent decision-making processes.
- The third participant demonstrated strong foresight and future preparedness but identified room for improvement in aligning their objectives with broader strategic goals.
The Impact
This collaborative project delivered value on multiple fronts. For our clients, it provided actionable insights to address their unique challenges and build on their strengths. By learning from each other’s best practices, they gained fresh perspectives and practical solutions to enhance their strategy execution capabilities.
For us, this initiative served as a vital pilot program for refining our “Strategy Execution Diagnosis” tool. The feedback from our clients helped us fine-tune the product, ensuring it addressed real-world organizational needs. Additionally, their endorsement validated the tool’s potential to drive meaningful improvements in business performance.
Conclusion
This partnership exemplifies how collaboration can benefit all parties involved. By aligning our goals with those of our clients, we not only developed a robust new product but also empowered them to achieve their most ambitious objectives. The “Strategy Execution Diagnosis” tool is now poised to help organizations worldwide transform their strategic visions into tangible outcomes.