Strategy workshop
“Everyone has a different idea of where we're going.”
Sound familiar?
“I’m not sure we’re building the right thing.”
Maybe it was never quite settled, or maybe it made sense a year ago but things have changed.
“We have a strategy. Nobody could tell you what’s in it.”
It’s in a deck somewhere, and every leader remembers a different version.
“Every decision still comes back to me.”
You can’t hand decisions over when nobody’s sure what the company is aiming for.
“We get stuck arguing about what our goals should be.”
If the strategy is unclear, it’s impossible to set goals and the debates are endless.
What we do
We find out what each leader thinks the current strategy is, and where they differ. We then debate the four elements of strategy: the facts, the problem, the idea, and the solution. We capture the outcome in a short document that can be shared across the company, with actions to test each element where there’s uncertainty.
What it looks like when it works
You’re sure you’re building the right thing, and you can say why.
Ask any leader where you’re going, and you hear the same answer.
Decisions stop coming back to you.
Setting the quarter’s goals is quick, because the direction is settled.
How it runs
Before
A conversation with each leader and a short preparation assignment for each to write a one-page strategy, so we start with what’s really going on.
During
We review each document, and debate what would need to be true to get aligned on the best options. We capture the outcome in a single document to be shared.
After
An optional follow-up meeting to maintain momentum and clarify next steps.
You leave with
A short strategy your leaders agreed together, and the first decisions that follow from it.
Typical format
How long: from two hours to a full day
Where: online, in your office, or at an offsite
Preparation and support: by email and video call, as much or as little as you need
It was reassuring to hear the mistakes we've made are typical ones many businesses make and there is a way forward without starting from scratch!
People Leader, seed-stage SaaS startup
Case studies
A strategy reset that broke a risky dependency
A seed-stage SaaS startup of about 30 people reset its strategy in a one-day offsite, broke its dependence on a single platform, and pivoted fast when that platform changed.
Read more
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From e-commerce playbook to media strategy
A UK consumer startup asked for OKRs. We checked the business model first, found it was really a media business, and drafted OKRs to match.
Read more
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Try it yourself first
Strategy
The One Page Strategy
A free one-page strategy template: four parts, half a page, and a way to write it with your whole leadership team.
Read →
Strategy
1-2-4-All: a brainstorming method where everyone is heard
A simple way to brainstorm with a group of up to 20, so the quiet voices get heard and the best ideas come out. About fifteen minutes.
Read →
Who you’ll be working with
I run every session myself.
I spent six years at Google, then two at Amazon, where I led a 100-person organisation. Since then, I’ve worked with over 200 leaders and 16 startup leadership teams as a facilitator and coach.
If I’m not the right person to help, I’ll introduce you to someone who could be.
What usually comes next: Product vision · OKR workshop
Know someone this would help?
Here’s a line you can send them:
Richard runs strategy workshops where the leadership team agrees one direction, and the leaders make the calls.
Next steps
Start with a free, 20-minute Clarity Call. Confidential, and no preparation needed.
“
Clarity in difficult business situations
What I appreciated a lot while working with Richard was his approach towards clarity in difficult business situations and finding a solution that fits for the team… which helped us a lot in developing our own business to the next level.
Susanne Palli
CEO
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