How to Align Vision and Strategy between Board and Management Teams
Board Strategy and Future Growth Workshop (A Jarther+ Case Study)
"This session brought the clarity and momentum we needed. it aligned us on a strategic direction and gave us the tools to take immediate action." Here’s the challenge:
A multinational government-funded body was at cross-roads, facing a series of pivotal changes. With a newly appointed CEO and Chair of the Board, the organisation needed to drive alignment between the Board and the broader Management team. Historically, the Board had not been as deeply involved in strategic direction development, possibly due to strained relationships between the Board and the Management team. The Board and CEO wanted to change this. A part of the challenge was managing a stagnant organisational culture that stifled innovation that was urgently required to respond to a competitive market. Additionally, the organisation faced low brand awareness and limited public understanding of the firm’s value to customers. These challenges underscored the urgent need for a unified vision and strategic roadmap to guide the organisation toward future growth.
Here’s our response:
Understanding the complexity of the challenge, Jarther+ stepped in with a tailored approach designed to bring clarity and alignment. We orchestrated a one-day strategy session for the Board, CEO, and General Managers aiming to unify the leadership team around a cohesive three-year vision and establish strategic imperatives for future success.
From early discussions, we understood the Chair’s preference for focused and logical dialogue. To meet this need, we crafted a session that balanced structured thinking with moments of levity to keep the team engaged over the six-hour duration. Our dual facilitation model also played a crucial role; while the lead facilitator guided discussions, a strategy assistant synthesised ideas in real time ensuring that every valuable insight was documented.
The workshop began with an open discussion of the market context and key industry influences. This set the stage for a rich exchange of ideas, as the Board Members shared their diverse perspectives. Our role was to channel these discussions towards strategic thinking, steering away from managerial details. Through a series of divergent (individual thinking) and convergent (refining generated ideas) exercises, we encouraged individual thinking and then refined these ideas collectively, leading to an identification of three strategic imperatives. As the day progressed, the room buzzed with a sense of purpose. The Board brainstormed actionable steps for each imperative, providing clear guidance for the Management team. The presence of the CEO and General Managers was pivotal, as it facilitated direct communication and co-creation, embodying Jarther+’s commitment to collaboration and strategic alignment.
More importantly, here is the impact:
By the end of the session, the leadership team left with a unified vision and a ready-to-use strategy document. This immediate actionability empowered the CEO and General Managers to start responding to the Board’s strategic imperatives right away. The renewed focus on innovation and strategic priorities set the stage for the organisation to address its challenges and build a stronger brand presence. Specific results:
Unified Vision: The Board and Management team aligned on a three-year strategic direction, setting the stage for organisational growth and enhanced market competitiveness. This was articulated in a succinct and compelling manner.
Enhanced Collaboration: The session fostered stronger engagement and collaboration among the leadership team, bridging understanding gaps between the Board and Management.
Immediate Actionability: With Jarther+ synthesising discussions and refining strategies live during the workshop, the Board left with a ready-to-use strategy document and letter of expectations. This enabled the CEO and General Managers to act immediately on the Board’s strategic imperatives.
Focus on Innovation: The renewed focus on innovation and strategic priorities empowered the organisation to address its challenges and build a stronger brand presence.
Talk to Jarther+ about how we can help you align your leadership team and develop a strategic roadmap for future growth and innovation, all while upskilling your team.