UPEKKHA, INC.

Alarmingly, we’ve seen strategy generation and execution as two separate sets of activities. While in fact, strategy is (also) about closing the gap between thinking and doing. So, what you aim for in strategy, is that the gap between the aspired strategy and the realized strategy is minimized. Short Cycle Strategy reconnects them and thereby resolves the notorious gap between strategy and execution. It consists of nine steps—five for strategy generation, and four for strategy execution. Together, they make strategy a highly adaptive, but still goal-oriented process. 1. Activating Key Stakeholders: Making key persons in the organization receptive to new strategy and mobilizing the resources needed for strategy generation. 2. Mapping strategy: Identifying the organization’s strategy by describing it on the basis of its ten core elements. (See Strategy Sketch) 3. Assessing strategy: Judging and testing the quality of the organization’s strategy against relevant criteria. 4. Innovating strategy: Renewing and redesigning the organization’s strategy through incremental or radical innovation. 5. Formulating strategy: Capturing the organization’s strategy in words and pictures that can be understood by the target audience. 6. Bridging gaps: Identifying the gaps between your current and your aspired strategy, and defining projects and tasks to bridge them. 7. Organizing strategy: Identifying the most important organizational deficiencies, and defining projects and tasks to solve them. 8. Planning strategy: Developing and committing to a dynamic, prioritized course of action and a way of working for closing the gap between the actual and the aspired strategy. 9. Realizing strategy: Effecting the aspired strategy by putting the execution plan into action and managing relevance, progress, and emotions over time. Which step of the Short Cycle Strategy will you be focusing on? #agileprojectmanagement #strategyconsulting #scrummaster [Image from Kraaijenbrink (2015), The Strategy Handbook] Want to learn this approach and apply it as internal or external consultant? Then join the February cohort of our Certified Strategy & Implementation Consultant (CSIC) program. See https://lnkd.in/eQYY8cFE for all information and registration.

???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????????????????????? How many times we thought we understood and then we were surprised by the result? Miscommunication can be costly, leading to wasted time, resources, and effort. Imagine a block of ice melting in four stages, like a funnel, where the message becomes narrower and less clear as it progresses: ???????? ???? ?????????????: Our thoughts are vast and detailed. ???????? ???? ???????? ??: We shape our thoughts into a message with a specific intention. ???????? ???? ?????? ???: Our words try to convey our intentions. ???????? ???????????? ?????? ??: The final message received can be much less than intended. This process shows how much information can be lost. Misunderstandings and errors occur because what we think and what others understand can be very different. ???????????????????? ???? ?????????????? ??????????????????????????: ??????????????? ???????????? ?????????????????????????? : After talking, ask the listener to say what they've understood. Have a brief conversation to make sure that you understand the same and to reduce misinterpretation. ???????????? ?????????? ???????????????? : 70% of communication is non verbal. Don’t just listen to the words. Observe non-verbal cues: body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. If you’re the speaker, ensure your body language and tone match your words and intentions. ?????????? ?? ?????????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????????????????? ???? ?????????????????? ???????????? : For critical subjects, keep conversations clear and concise. Summarize key points and encourage questions to ensure clarity. ??Effective communication saves time, reduces costs, and prevents misunderstandings. What is your strategy? Follow my profile for weekly #sketchnotes Get the Sketchnote Starter Guide (link in my profile) #visualthinking #communication

There are many mistakes you can make when initiating change that cause resistance. These are the 17 Pitfalls of Change that you want to avoid. Change is hard to manage. And so easy to do it wrong. Based on the research done for my book, The Strategy Handbook, I found no less than 17 (seventeen!) pitfalls you can fall into and that will seriously compromise the effectiveness of your change efforts. They are: 1. Overoptimism: thinking more can be done than is actually possible. 2. No focus: trying to achieve too many things at once. 3. Impatience: forgetting that change requires time to digest. 4. Overstating benefits: raising expectations that you cannot meet. 5. Unconvinced: you don’t believe in the new strategy yourself. 6. Breaking promises: just not doing what you promised people. 7. Half-truths: breaking trust by not telling the whole story. 8. Unclear communication: people don’t know what to expect and do. 9. Lack of purpose: failing to explain why the change is needed. 10. Explaining only: not paying attention to people’s emotions. 11. Inconsistency: leaders say different and conflicting things. 12. Bad role model: giving the wrong example in small things you do. 13. Indecisiveness: circumventing and postponing the hard decisions. 14. Pushing too much: creating more resistance by pushing harder. 15. Laissez-faire: leaving it up to people to figure it out themselves. 16. No voice: not giving people a voice in a change that concerns them. 17. Parenting: treating people as kids rather than adults. The lesson is clear: if you want to make a change and are serious about it, avoid these mistakes. All of them. Which mistake(s) do you still make that hinder effective change? ==== Source: these 17 mistakes come from my book, The Strategy Handbook—a complete guide to effective strategy formulation and implementation, guiding you step-by-step through the process. You can find it on Amazon! #changemakers #businessdevelopment #organizationalgrowth

As a business coach, I’ve seen the transformative power of the 80/20 rule in action. Here’s 6 ways you can apply it to your business: 1. Focus on High-Impact Activities: Identify the 20% of activities that generate 80% of your results. This could mean key customers, top products, or the best marketing channels. 2. Time Management: Prioritise tasks that align with these high-impact activities. Focus on building good habits and staying persistent in areas that drive significant results. 3. Resource Allocation: Distribute your resources (time, money, staff) to areas with the highest ROI. This will maximize your effectiveness. 4. Goal Setting: Set goals that emphasize the vital 20%. Ensure your objectives are focused on what truly matters. 5. Skill Development: Concentrate on developing skills that fall within this crucial 20% for your industry or role. 6. Client Relationships: Remember, giving 80% in business relationships can help build strong, lasting networks. By integrating the 80/20 rule into your business strategy, you can maximize efficiency, boost productivity, and achieve greater success. Focus on what truly matters, allocate your resources wisely, and build strong relationships. #BusinessCoach #Productivity #TimeManagement #Coach #GoalSetting

A flywheel is a mechanical device that uses the conservation of momentum to store rotational energy. In business, a "flywheel" is a powerful concept that describes how companies can create self-reinforcing cycles of growth. Unlike a traditional funnel model, a flywheel gains momentum over time, leading to compounding returns. Key aspects of a business flywheel: ? Interconnected components that feed into each other ? Builds momentum gradually, then accelerates ? Aligns with core business model and strategy A well-designed flywheel turns your strategic advantages into a virtuous cycle. For example, Amazon's flywheel leverages low prices to drive volume, enabling further cost reductions. How does your business model create reinforcing loops? Identifying and optimizing your flywheel can be a game-changer for long-term success. Notable examples of flywheels at work are: Amazon: Lower prices → More customers → More sellers join platform More sellers → Increased selection → More customers More customers → Economies of scale → Lower costs → Lower prices Netflix: More content → More subscribers → More revenue More revenue → Invest in better content → Attract more subscribers Spotify: More users → More data → Better recommendations Better recommendations → Improved user experience → More users and listening time More listening time → More ad revenue and subscriptions → Ability to license more content LinkedIn: More professionals join → More valuable network → Attracts more professionals More user data → Better job matches and content → Increased user engagement Uber: More riders → Attracts more drivers → Reduced wait times Reduced wait times → Better user experience → More riders More rides → Lower prices → More riders Google: More searches → Better search results → More users More users → More ad revenue → Invest in better technology Better technology → Improved user experience → More searches Each flywheel is closely tied to the company's business model and competitive advantage. Connecting the flywheel to an organization's North Star Canvas?, Strategy Sketch? are very powerful exercises. ======================== Interested in becoming a Certified Strategy & Implementation Consultant (CSIC)? Join our network of global consultants certified in our human-centered, inclusive approach to strategy. Bring a unique and non-traditional approach to your organization and clients! Registrations for the fall 2024. #businessmodels #organizationalgrowth #sustainablegrowth

How to stop getting worked up? Today Edward asks: — “How do I stop getting so worked up over little things? It feels like my emotions are all over the place sometimes?” — Welcome to Episode 29 of AskMatty! Here’s my answer, Edward: — So, let’s try this exercise. You can do it for the next 8 weeks. It’s gonna help you understand what triggers your emotions. Just 5 simple steps. 1. At the end of each week (Saturday, for example) do this: →? ? Reflect on any moments that triggered strong emotions for you. For example it could be: →? ? A stressful deadline →? ? A disagreement with your partner →? ? A frustrating interaction with a colleague →? ? … 2.? ? Now grab your journal and jot down: →? ? WHAT happened →? ? HOW it made you feel For example: →? ? Missed deadline (what) →? ? Felt overwhelmed and anxious (how) Or: →? ? Disagreement with colleague (what) →? ? Felt angry and misunderstood (how) 3.? ? Alright! Now do this: →? ? Review your journal →? ? and look for patterns or recurring themes. How? By asking yourself: →? ? Do certain situations consistently trigger similar emotional responses? →? ? Do specific types of interactions consistently trigger similar emotional responses? →? ? Are there any commonalities in how I react to these triggers? For example you might discover this: →? ? When I feel like I’m being criticized or judged, I often experience anxiety and self-doubt 4.? ? Now that you’re more aware of your pattern, prepare yourself in advance. “Uhm, what do you mean, Matty?” I mean this: →? ? Brainstorm coping strategies that you can use when those feelings arise For example: →? ? Exercise →? ? Mindfulness →? ? Laughter Yoga →? ? Going for a walk →? ? Talking to my best friend As we know, the key is not avoiding those feelings. The key is preparing ourselves in advance. So we don’t get caught off guard. 5. Now, for the next 7 days, you just need to be disciplined. Every time that emotion comes up, you’ll use the coping strategy you’ve picked. That’s it. I know it seems basic, but it’s all about understanding ourselves better. — Alright! Thanks for your question, Edward. Question of the day: →? ? Do you prefer going for a walk or talking to your best friend? “Let’s build a more inclusive world by spreading wellbeing globally!” – Matty

How do you ease stress at work? Today Kimaya asks: — “Any tips for managing stress when you’re at work and can’t get away?” — Welcome to Episode 27 of AskMatty! Here’s my answer, Kimaya: — One thing you can try is writing out a conversation. Personally, I prefer having a conversation out loud to myself. But many people prefer writing. Or maybe they can’t talk out loud at work. Let’s see how you can give it a try. 1. So, when you feel stressed at work, open a Google Doc. Even a journal is okay. 2. Now, start writing a conversation between two characters: →?? One character is you — dealing with stress →?? One character is a made-up mentor — for example, John. Let’s see an example. I’ll try to put myself in your shoes, Kimaya. ???? Hey Kimaja, how’s it going? ???? Hey John! Oh, you know, the usual ups and downs ????? Hmm, sounds like it’s been quite busy lately. What’s keeping you so busy? ???? ?Well, work mainly. Deadlines looming, emails flooding is — it’s the usual grind. ????? I see. Tell me, what’s your main focus during all this chaos? ????? Well, I’m trying to prioritize my health and fitness. Especially finding time to work out regularly. ????? That’s super! What steps are you taking to make that happen? ????? Hmm, honestly, I’m struggling to find the time. It’s tough to juggle everything. ????? I get it. Time management can be a real challenge. Have you thought about how much time you really need to dedicate to your workouts? ????? Hmm, not really. I guess I need to sit down and figure that out. ????? Definitely! Let me know if you need help brainstorming or planning things out. ????? Oh thanks, I appreciate that. It’s always good to have someone to bounce ideas off. ????? Anytime, Kimaya. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support. Take care! ????? Thanks, John, you too. Bye for now. That’s it. Of course, you can go ahead and explore ways to manage your time better. But the point is this: → Many times, when we feel stressed, we just need a space to put our thoughts out of our minds. — Alright! Thanks for your question, Kimaya. Question of the day: → How do you deal with stress at work? “Let’s build a more inclusive world by spreading wellbeing globally!” – Matty

90% of strategy efforts fail: But there is a great concept that can help. Have you heard of the Stacey Matrix? It is named after British scholar Ralph Douglas Stacey. Stacey Matrix serves as a guide for making decisions in different situations, helping prevent chaos. It provides a framework for decision-making in complex and uncertain scenarios, focusing on two main factors: certainty and agreement. Certainty refers to how predictable outcomes are and how clear the consequences are. Agreement reflects how much stakeholders' perspectives align. By considering these factors, the Stacey Matrix divides scenarios into four types, each requiring a different decision-making approach: 1. SIMPLE (High Certainty AND High Agreement): Decisions are straightforward and based on rationality and best practices. 2. COMPLICATED (Medium Certainty AND Medium Agreement): Judgment and negotiation play a role as certainty and agreement decrease. 3. COMPLEX (Low Certainty OR Low Agreement): Experimental, trial-and-error approaches are needed due to low certainty or agreement. 4. CHAOTIC (Low Certainty AND Low Agreement): Chaos reigns when there's both uncertainty and disagreement. Restoring stability is crucial to transitioning back to complexity. The main takeaway from this matrix is the importance of recognizing the complexity of your situation and adjusting your decision-making accordingly. Are you and your organization already doing this effectively, or are you using the same approach regardless of the complexity of the situation? Adapted from Jeroen Kraaijenbrink. ?? Want a high resolution PDF of this? 1. Just follow me (Igor Buinevici) 2. And sign up for my free newsletter at WildCapital.co You'll instantly receive this PDF (and 15+ others) directly in your welcome email!

Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs Credits to Igor Buinevici, follow him for more useful content. ------ Here's the original post: Do you know why 96% of personal development efforts fail? Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs can help us with the explanation. It is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943. It suggests that humans have a hierarchy of needs, starting with basic physiological needs like food and shelter, followed by safety, love and belonging, esteem, and finally self-actualization. According to Maslow, individuals must fulfill lower-level needs before progressing to higher-level ones. Let's break down the individual needs: 1. Physiological Needs: These are the basic requirements for human survival, such as air, water, food, and shelter. 2. Safety Needs: After physiological needs are met, individuals seek safety and security, including personal security, financial security, health, and stability. 3. Love and Belongingness Needs: Humans have a need for social belonging and acceptance, including relationships, friendships, and intimacy. 4. Esteem Needs: Once belongingness needs are satisfied, individuals strive for self-esteem and the esteem of others, including feelings of accomplishment, recognition, and respect. 5. Self-Actualization Needs: At this stage, individuals pursue personal growth, self-improvement, and the realization of their fullest potential. + Self-Transcendence Needs: Near the end of his life, Maslow added one additional layer on top. This level goes beyond self-actualization, emphasizing the importance of connecting with something beyond oneself, such as spirituality, altruism, and contributing to the greater good. One of the reasons why our personal development efforts fail is: Individuals may struggle to progress in personal growth if their basic needs, such as physiological, safety, or belongingness, aren't adequately met. Without a solid foundation in these areas, it becomes challenging to focus on higher-level self-actualization goals effectively. Make sure to take this into account before building big plans. ------- Follow Business Infographics to learn from the best visuals.

The 7 most expensive words in Business #innovation #business #technology