Our approach …
We find we can help best by bringing an independent, external perspective. We work with the top team to identify ‘the main thing’ and then show them how to quickly build organisational commitment behind this strategic imperative. We use a metaphor from yacht racing. Velocity made good (VMG) is the rate at which you close down a waypoint (or destination). Mathematically, it is a ‘vector’ that represents the combined effect of speed and direction to get to the point you want to get to. You can be going at top hull speed, but 20% off – course, so you’ll have to sail further, potentially mitigating the benefit of your higher speed. So maybe sailing slower but on a dead heading would be better? And you have a multitude of options between these options. So how do you know the optimum choice? Somehow, you need to work out the best combination of speed and direction for the given wind conditions
Strategic velocity …
Management of a business is similar. The choice is in deciding what to focus on (e.g. launching new products; entering new markets), and the pace at which you do this (within a month; a season, etc). Like yacht racing, there a multitude of options, but only one will get you to where you want to be ahead of the competition. We call this choice your ‘strategic velocity (SV)’ and we help you cut through the clutter and decide what it should be
New knowledge …
But our experience also suggests that knowing your strategic velocity isn’t enough, you have to be able to sail it. You need a crew with the right knowledge and experience. In business, a new strategic velocity often means they have to learn new things. New knowledge. This learning is vital, as any good strategy will need learning to support it. Research shows that 80% of executive education is wasted. You don’t have the time or money for this. We do, that’s our job. We work out what you need to know, and deliver precise knowledge shots, in the correct measure, at the optimum frequency. So you get on and learn what you need, to get the job done.
Team greatness…
But individuals don’t sail boats, teams do. And teams need careful building to get the best out of them. In business, great teams are rare and few teams realise their true performance. We show you how to release that last 15% of performance that so many teams forsake in the mistaken believe that it will preserve executive harmony. We show you its not an either or. We help you get to greatness whilst enhancing trust and respect across the team. We use the latest psychological thinking and give you models and techniques to apply it to your benefit, just like sailors do to win Olympic medals. Why slug on with one hand behind your back? Why not learn from teams that are doing this successfully already? Well help you recognise someone’s performance ‘red lights’ and show you how to help ‘flick off’ the lights that inhibit performance
The sum of the parts …
In our experience, it’s the sum of the parts that make all the difference. Not getting each part right in isolation. It’s how you stitch it all together that counts. Focusing on the main thing, building strategic velocity, acquiring new knowledge, and then mobilising your top teams to perform to exceptional levels of greatness is a recipe for exceptional achievement. We’ll show you how to bake a delicious cake from this recipe