Embracing OKR’s for Success

” What Gets Measured Gets Done” has always been a key cornerstone of my leadership style.? I have always been strategy execution focused and eager to get started, to me moving forward is important, making progress to a clear goal, taking on obstacles along the way and pivoting when needed.

Earlier in my career I worked in multinational companies driven by KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) but measuring performance over time using historical data only tells part of the story.? Today’s dynamic business environment with changing consumer behaviours and rapid technology change requires a shift towards future-orientated performance management.

In recent years, many multinationals transitioned from KPI’s to OKR’s, and this brought significant benefits both to the team, to stakeholders and the overall business performance.?I would encourage scaling companies who are looking to expand internationally to embrace OKR's too. OKR’s (Objectives & Key Results) provide agility and adaptability with a focus on anticipating and responding to market changes and events rather than solely relying on past performance.?

OKR’s at their best are created by the team aligned to the overall strategic objectives of the company or unit, the team required to deliver the result identifying the goals and the measurements to keep on track, this drives ownership and commitment and when clearly aligned with incentives can truly drive high performance in teams.

If you are thinking about embracing OKR’s in your company or unit or enhancing those you already have, the upfront investment in their establishment will provide the following key performace benefits:

·?????? Framework to Align with Strategic Objectives: OKR’s give a structured approach for cascading goals and then aligning team OKR’s directly to the strategic priorities giving real clarity of focus across the whole organisation at all levels

·?????? Provide Flexibility and Adaptability: OKR’s give flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions, be it a new disruptive competitor or unseen new opportunity.? By adapting to emerging trends, it helps the whole organisation navigate in uncertain times

·?????? Focus on Aspirational Results: Allows the team to be forward leaning, seek growth in new areas, be open about the potential opportunities.? By setting commit and stretch targets it encourages outperformance where there initially may have been unseen opportunity

·?????? Generates Energy and Proactivity: The focus is on building future sustainable long-term business rather than on continuing past performance thereby supporting key decisions and choices in an evolving market

·?????? Encourages Experimentation: Supports the team to be innovative and explore new ideas and approaches, to push the boundaries of what is possible, opening new pathways and taking a leap forward from the competition

·?????? Measure, Measure, Measure: In constantly reviewing and measuring OKR progress, using data analytics and insights it allows the team to pivot and adapt actions to changing dynamics, creating agile teams that can respond to market changes and drive forward

In embracing OKR’s its not just about changing metrics its about creating a culture that promotes accountability and ownership, driving collaboration across coss-function teams. It promotes team resilience in times of change and encourages the team to seek to continually learn and improve in an increasing complex and unpredictable business world.

Measure What Matters by John Doerr is a great read and the bedrock of the movement towards OKRs?to drive performance in the last 5-7 years.?

And... If you would like to explore how I can help you and your team develop a storng OKR framework checkout Makace AB