Posts by Doug Maris
The Crucial Role of Core Values in Organizational Strategy
In the fast-paced world, where strategies are formulated and executed with lightning speed, one foundational element often gets overlooked—the core values of an organization. In the arena of strategy consulting, it is not uncommon for the client to request “skipping” core values so the planning team can focus on more shiny and exciting elements of…
Read MoreMy Front Row Seat to Conscious Capitalism
Reading about “Conscious Capitalism” is rather common. Experiencing it firsthand is something totally different. I was invited to a front-row seat to experience one organization’s commitment to creating sustainable value for all stakeholders, especially the planet. LBL Strategies’ client Clarke (clarke.com) is committed to “making communities around the world more livable, safe, and comfortable” by…
Read MoreOKRs vs. KPIs
As strategy management trainers and consultants, we frequently hear the question: “What is the difference between KPIs and OKRs?” Or, just as frequently, “Which is better: KPIs or OKRs?” As we learned in Strategy Consulting 101, our response is often “It depends!” Which is “better” between OKRs and KPIs depends on your organizational complexities, overall…
Read MoreSlouching Toward Failure: 5 Reasons Organizations Lose Sight of Their Core Values
In working with clients on developing “Strategic Thinking” skills within an organization, there is a lot of attention on ensuring that every employee within the organization has “line of sight” from their respective role to the high-level mission and vision of the organization. The need for this connection is obvious . . . as most…
Read MoreWhat’s the Difference between Strategic Thinking and Strategic Planning?
Recently a client asked a very simple, and yet extremely complex, question: “What’s the difference between ‘strategic thinking’ and ‘strategic planning’?” Great question! A quick Google search reveals that academics have pondered and debated this question since the early 1990’s. One extremely helpful scholarly overview can be found in the June 1998 volume 31 of…
Read MoreFive Methods to Kill Your Strategic Management and Planning Process
There are countless ways to derail a strategic planning process. Sometimes a process is undone by the tyranny of the urgent. Other times the process can be intentionally sabotaged by c-level staff who fear the process encroaches on their territory. But most often, when a strategic planning process unravels, it is due to one of…
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