Brave New Leaders

Join Adelina Chalmers and Marc Sniukas in this entertaining live discussion as they delve into the world of strategy and its significance in various contexts. Drawing from their personal experiences and expertise, they shed light on what makes a strategic statement truly effective. Marc introduces the framework "playing to win", emphasizing the importance of a harmonious blend of different elements in crafting a powerful strategy. From defining ambitions to identifying differentiators and establishing necessary capabilities, each component plays a vital role in the overall success of the strategy. Adelina, an expert in tech strategy, highlights the fundamental role of a solid business strategy as the foundation for effective tech strategies. She stresses the need for alignment between technological decisions and broader business goals. By questioning the purpose and impact of technology, Adelina ensures that every decision made serves the overall objectives. Throughout the discussion, both Adelina and Marc emphasize the value of involving various stakeholders in the strategy development process. By seeking input from different levels of the organization, they gain a deeper understanding of problems, opportunities, and potential solutions. This inclusive approach fosters better execution and reduces resistance to change during implementation. As the conversation concludes, Marc leaves the audience with valuable advice on approaching strategy as a continuous, iterative process. He underlines the importance of constant evaluation and adjustment based on real-world feedback and outcomes. Additionally, Adelina shares her concise yet impactful summary of tech strategy, capturing its essence in five key points: defining success, identifying problems, planning actions and resources, acknowledging risks and assumptions, and continuously testing and adapting the strategy. Join Adelina Chalmers and Marc Sniukas in this human-centric and practical exploration of strategy, enriched with real-life experiences and relatable insights. This dynamic dialogue aims to make strategy accessible and meaningful to everyone.

In this episode, Bant Breen interviews me for his show "Uncaged." I discuss the following points: • Importance of effective strategy design and execution • Challenges faced by organizations in achieving lasting transformation • Aligning strategy with ways of organizing, working, and leading • Top concerns of leaders in today's dynamic business landscape • Lack of clarity and multiple priorities without a clear strategy • Talent acquisition and retention in the face of evolving skill demands • Balancing long-term vision and short-term action • Challenge-based strategy approach • Innovating, adapting, and preparing for potential disruptions • Guiding leaders toward clarity in strategic decision-making • Strategic innovation for better businesses and positive impact

In this episode of Brave New Leaders, I explain the concept of cascading strategy within an organization using the "Playing to Win" strategy cascade framework developed by former Procter & Gamble CEO A.G. Lafley and management thinker Roger Martin. The framework consists of five components: winning aspirations, where to play, how to win, capabilities, and management systems. I demonstrate how this framework can be applied at different levels of an organization, including departments, functions, and teams. I like to adapt the terminology to better align with specific contexts. For example, "where to play" can be modified to consider relevant stakeholders and the products/services offered to them. Similarly, "how to win" can be rephrased as "how to add value" when applied to departmental strategies. You’ll get practical insights on aligning daily operations with the overarching business strategy. Leaders can effectively communicate, visualize, and implement strategies throughout their organizations by leveraging the Playing to Win strategy cascade. Here's the link to the video I mention about Strategy Execution: https://youtu.be/tZo-_hhc8Xk

In this episode, Khudania Ajay, the host of the KAJ Masterclass Live interviews me about making better strategies. We discuss the misconception that strategy is simply a plan and emphasize that strategy is about winning in the marketplace and being successful. Many companies claim to have a strategy, but it often turns out to be mere planning without clear logic or coherent actions. I also explain that traditional long-term planning is no longer effective in today's fast-changing and disruptive business landscape. I advocate for a shift towards shorter cycles of strategy focused on addressing immediate challenges and seizing opportunities. I also highlight the importance of being different and bringing innovation into strategy rather than just copying competitors' practices. Then we discuss the role of consultants in strategy development and I suggest that while consultants can provide valuable insights and analysis, the responsibility for developing and implementing a strategy ultimately lies with the CEO and the leadership team. I am convinced that involving stakeholders strategically throughout the process ensures alignment, commitment, and a well-understood strategy. This episode of the KJ Masterclass Live was first published here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2ZD1rXgjj8

In this episode of Brave New Leaders, I introduce what I call Strategic Management Architecture, a proven framework for successful strategy execution. The key steps to implementing and executing your strategy: Steer Strategy Execution: Learn how to stay up-to-date with your strategy, evaluate progress, and take effective action. Break Down the Strategy: Discover how to align the strategy with every department, function, and team, bridging the gap between strategy and daily work. Assess Organizational Capacity: Identify what your organization can do within its current structure and where special strategic initiatives are needed. Communicate and Involve: Find out how to effectively communicate the strategy to the entire organization, fostering involvement and understanding. Monitor Progress: Establish a robust monitoring system to track implementation, ensuring actions align with the strategy. Remember to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your friends and colleagues. Let's work together to enhance strategy execution.

This episode is a 30-minute live session in which Dr. Nils Jeners and I answer your questions about strategy and innovation. In this first live event, we answer the following questions: #1: Do you see repeating patterns in your strategy work or in the strategy of your clients? #2: How do you know it's a winning strategy? #4: What is the best way to prioritize strategic and innovation options to allocate resources more efficiently? #5: When a company hires an external consultant, do you create the strategy from scratch or do you look at what the missing pieces are? #6: Is innovation often/ever part of your conversations about strategy? #7: In terms of strategy success rate, do we evaluate strategic initiative implementation or KPI target achievement? #8: What kind of innovation initiatives do you recommend for companies that have not been doing much innovation in the past? #9: How do you deal with hidden agendas and internal politics in strategy work by your customers? Thanks to our followers for tuning in and for asking such great questions! Make sure you subscribe to know when a new episode comes out. Let's make together better strategies and better businesses.

In this episode, I'll show you how to identify if your business strategy is failing and needs a reboot. There are four key signs to look out for. First, weak business performance: declining revenues, margins, customer satisfaction scores, and market share. If cost-cutting or price adjustments haven't solved the challenges, it's time to review your strategy. Second, organizational challenges: too many initiatives, competing priorities, and a lack of meaningful progress within your organization. These indicate a flawed strategy that requires reassessment. Third, personal feelings of uncertainty as a leader. If you feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or confused about your business direction, it's a sign that your strategy needs a review and reboot. Lastly, trust your intuition. If you sense your strategy isn't working or you lack a cohesive strategy altogether, it's crucial to recognize the need for a better approach. Subscribe to my podcast for more valuable insights on developing and executing winning strategies. Thank you for listening, and let's work together to reboot your strategy for success.

In this episode, I explore the crucial difference between good strategy and bad strategy. Signs of bad strategy are vague buzzwords, misguided goals, and disconnected actions that hinder progress and miss out on market opportunities. However, there is hope. I outline the key elements of a good strategy: clarity, focus, actionability, and realism. It is very important to diagnose core challenges, develop a strategic approach, and execute coherent actions to achieve tangible results.

In this episode, we explore the power of creating small experiments to drive strategy execution within your organization. As a seasoned strategy advisor, I've worked closely with CEOs and teams to design better strategies and achieve successful transformations. I guide you through three practical steps for driving strategy execution. Step one is all about identifying the barriers hindering your team's progress. Through a focused brainstorming session, we capture individual challenges and issues, allowing us to uncover recurring themes. Step two, "Ideate," focuses on generating creative solutions aligned with human-centered ways of working. We brainstorm ideas and cluster them for further refinement. By voting on the most intriguing solutions, we narrow down our options. Finally, step three, "Experimentation," involves defining and implementing the chosen solutions as small-scale experiments. We ensure minimal impact in case things don't go as planned. By assigning roles, outlining actions, setting timeframes, and scheduling a retrospective meeting, we create a culture of continuous improvement. Join me on this journey of transforming the way we work, organize, and lead, as we drive strategy execution with greater efficiency and impact. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast episode with your friends and colleagues. Together, let's create a future where strategy execution is seamless and transformative. See you in the next episode!

The question of who should be involved in formulating a company's strategy is a topic of debate. While some argue that everyone in the organization needs to be involved and that the best strategy includes everyone's input, others believe that it's the job of the CEO because only they have the broad perspective and overview to take the whole business into account. There needs to be a balance between the two. Here are six ways to involve the organization in a strategy process: 1. Ask for input on challenges and opportunities. 2. Once you have defined the strategic issues, ask the organization to give you input and ideas on how to solve them and seize opportunities. 3. Present a draft of the strategy and ask for feedback. 4. Have a cross-functional team work on specific parts of the strategy. 5. Communicate the strategy to the organization and explain why it's important. 6. Create a system for feedback and improvement.

This episode is about how to transform your organization into new ways of working. Organizations need to be able to adapt and evolve quickly to stay competitive. But how do you make this happen? Follow these five key principles to unlock success: #1: focus on business outcomes and create value instead of procedures, allowing teams to decide which processes and procedures are appropriate for reaching their goals. #2: use incremental and iterative change approaches, starting small to deliver results faster than a big-bang approach. #3: focus on enthusiasts and find individuals who would like to change things in any organization. #4: have leadership commitment, necessary for a successful transformation. #5: organizational change is unpredictable, trust that the best way forward will emerge with time. Got any questions? You can reach me at marc@sniukas.com Like and share this episode if you found it useful!

In this episode, I'll explain what "Better Strategy" is and the five shifts you need in your organization to create it. As a strategy advisor with over 20 years of experience, I've seen firsthand the difference between strategies that get archived and forgotten and those that get implemented. Better Strategy is the one the executive team owns and creates themselves. It's clear, simple, coherent, focused, adaptable, innovative, and action-oriented. To create Better Strategy, you need to shift your focus, content, rhythm, socials, and approach to strategy. It's not easy, but it's necessary to succeed in business. So, listen to the podcast, and make the shifts! Don't forget to like and share with your network.

In this episode, I explore the need for a new way of working and leading organizations. Businesses must adapt to stay competitive. This is where the concept of Brave New Leaders comes in. These are the leaders who understand what is required of them to keep their organizations at the forefront of their industries. I delve into five key characteristics that define these Brave New Leaders, including their ability to embrace change, their focus on innovation, their courage to take risks, their dedication to building a strong team, and their commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Join me as I examine the qualities that set Brave New Leaders apart from the rest and discover why disruptive leadership is the key to success. If you are a CEO, this podcast episode is a must to stay ahead of the curve and make a lasting impact in your organization.

Tired of traditional strategy methods that leave your company stuck in a rut? In this episode, I reveal a cutting-edge, agile approach to crafting and executing strategy to breathe new life into your company's growth. I demonstrate the power of the Lean Strategy System, which enables you to work in 4-week cycles and adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Discover the secret to breaking free from endless discussions and switch gears into execution mode by following this dynamic, iterative process. Say goodbye to outdated strategic management and hello to a clear, focused, and committed strategy that drives results. Like, subscribe, and visit sniukas.com to learn more.

In this episode, I will show you a quick and easy way to jumpstart your company's strategic planning process. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the thought of spending days or even weeks on this complex project, then the Fast Strategy method is perfect for you. The Fast Strategy process involves three simple steps: Step 1: Ask your executive team to write down a specific statement on what they think the strategy should be. For example, "We should expand in this new market XY through a partnership with ABC." Step 2: Gather everyone in a room to discuss the statements in detail. Try to understand the logic behind them and answer questions like: What's the ambition? Who's the customer? What are we offering? How would we do this? Step 3: Prioritize the statements based on the clarity of the challenge/opportunity and the strategic move. The four categories are: Execute, Experiment, Explore, and Eliminate. By following these steps, you can quickly break through the inertia in your executive team, remove the dread of doing strategy work, and give your company a breath of fresh air in a stalemate. Remember, this exercise doesn't replace a proper strategy, but it's a great way to get people out of their silos, generate high-flying ideas, and subject them to some scrutiny.