Monday Morning Executive Drill

The Monday Morning Executive Review: A 60-Minute Drill

This meeting, set for every Monday morning, is where strategy meets execution.

Here’s a proposed format to make these sessions impactful:

• First 10 Minutes: Quick recap of the last week’s key achievements and setbacks.
• Next 15 Minutes: Deep dive into the top three metrics that need immediate attention, rotating focus each week.
• 20 Minutes: Review department-specific metrics, with a rotating schedule ensuring each department is reviewed in detail at least once a month.
• Final 15 Minutes: Action items and accountability. Each key metric that is off-target is assigned an owner, with clear action steps and deadlines.

This disciplined approach to the Executive Review ensures tight alignment between the ELT (Executive Leadership Team) keeping every function in the company on the same page and moving forward together, efficiently and effectively.

(Note: Always have a single person run the deck, doc, or whatever format you choose. It will help effectively control the time in the meeting)

Create a habit in your startup where you can drive high level of accountability and transparency while avoiding finger pointing. It starts at the highest level in the organization and this Monday Morning Executive Drill has helped myself and many of the CEOs and Founders that I consult with create that culture in their organizations.

Marketing:

Starting with marketing, the metrics here are more than numbers; they tell a story of attraction and engagement. It's not just about how many leads you're drawing in; it’s about the quality and the journey of those leads - from initial attraction (MQLs) to engagement (SQLs) and, eventually, to conversion. Understanding the sources and segments that bring in the best leads is crucial. Every untouched MQL is a missed opportunity; scrutinizing the efficiency of marketing spend isn’t just about saving money; it’s about investing it where it can write the next big success story.

Sales:

Opportunities created, pipeline growth, and the all-important win/loss ratio are the key topics of weekly discussion. They reveal not just how we’re winning, but where we’re learning. The length of the sales cycle and the size of the deals are key metrics to track weekly, which give information on how well we're aligning with customer needs and market dynamics.

Customer Success:

Then we swing the spotlight over to Customer Success. This isn't just a support function; it’s the bedrock of retention and expansion. Metrics here reflect customer sentiments and experiences. From the health score trends to Net Promoter Scores, they are predictive of future growth through upsells and cross-sells and protective against the risk of churn. A proactive approach is indispensable.

Operations:

When I talk about operations, we're looking at the smooth running of the entire machine. Active users' growth indicates product stickiness, while system uptime is a testament to reliability. Operational costs, compliance, and process improvements are the gears and cogs that need constant oiling for that seamless performance. It's the one group in the organization that should be the glue for all teams.

HR & Recruiting:

Human Resources and Recruiting are the company builders. They ensure that new hires are not only onboarded effectively but are the right fit for the company. Monitoring satisfaction, turnover, and diversity metrics ensures we're not just building a team; we're fostering a culture.

Finance:

The Finance section is your fiscal health check. Keeping a keen eye on the burn rate and how it stacks against revenue forecasts is the balance between sailing with ambition and drifting into the doldrums. CAC and CLV are more than acronyms; they’re indicators of whether we’re building relationships with our customers that are both profitable and sustainable.

Product and Engineering:

Product and Engineering metrics gauge the innovative spirit of the company. From the adoption rates of new features to the critical bugs count, these metrics tell us if we’re on the leading edge of innovation or if we’re accruing technical debt that could weigh us down in the long run.

Legal/Compliance:

An often ignored function - Legal and Compliance. It is imperative to have all functional leaders get access to what is happening in this department on a WoW basis. Legal and Compliance metrics keep us aligned with industry standards and best practices. Active contract reviews and compliance audit statuses ensure we mitigate risk and maintain the company's reputation.

Your Dashboard, Your Narrative

This dashboard is more than a collection of KPIs; it’s a narrative tool. It tells you where your story is resonating, where the plot might need a twist, and where the next chapter could lead. It’s about weaving the data into a strategy, translating metrics into actions, and ensuring every member of the E-Staff is aligned and moving in unison.

#ExecutiveDashboard #StrategicAlignment #StartupLeadership #PerformanceMetrics #OperationalExcellence #DataDrivenDecisions

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