Business Blog - OKRs and Goal Setting

Since the publication of John Doerr’s NY Times bestseller, “Measure What Matters,” OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) have become increasingly popular.

In his New York Times bestseller, “Measure What Matters,” author John Doerr referred to OKRs as being, “like Swiss Army knives, suited to any environment.”

You’ve read John Doerr’s New York Times bestseller, “Measure What Matters.” The OKR methodology intrigued you to the point of testing the protocol with your teams.

When first implementing OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) many of our clients have difficulty in identifying the most effective initial Objectives. “How do we set the right corporate goals” is one of the most frequently asked questions of our Customer Success Managers during the onboarding process.

One of the most common questions we are asked about OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) is if they can be used with KPIs. The answer is yes, and it’s easier than you may think because companies that use OKRs inevitably also use KPIs.

In the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) space, software providers have followed one of two very different paths. Several providers have focused their platforms and services on the CFR (Conversations, Feedback, and Recognition) adjunct to OKRs.

In 2018 venture capitalist John Doerr gave a presentation at a TED conference titled, “Why the Secret to Success is Setting the Right Goals.” That talk has now been translated into nine languages and viewed over one and a half million times.

In his New York Times bestseller “Measure What Matters,” author John Doerr, the self-proclaimed “Johnny Appleseed” of OKRs tells us that, “As the bar for structured goal setting rises, more organizations are adopting robust, dedicated, cloud-based OKR management software.”

In our ongoing “You Asked & We Answer” blog series we’re addressing the role of the Chief Strategy Officer in 2019. As the CSO, your responsibilities include determining the organization’s strategic planning process, while achieving greater transparency, engagement, and accountability throughout the company.

In this edition of “You Asked & We Answer” we’ll provide examples of OKRs you can use to accelerate growth in your company in 2019. These OKR examples, when implemented properly can serve as a launching pad for success in the new year.

This is the first in a series of “You Asked & We Answer” articles. In this issue, we’ll detail how high-performing companies use OKR Key Tactics in setting and monitoring effective goals.

Many of our clients and potential clients have previously used a SMART goal framework to execute strategy. Their first question of us is typically, “What is the difference between SMART goals and OKRs.”

Setting the right Corporate Objectives just might be the difference between success and failure in your organization. When getting started with the OKR methodology, many companies have difficulty in identifying those right Objectives. In this article, we will review the OKR Best Practices for setting and monitoring top corporate objectives.

Invariably, when working with new clients, their first questions are:
“How do we get started setting Objectives?” “What makes the most effective initial OKRs?” “Do you have examples of good OKRs for our various departments?”

The responsibility for setting corporate business goals lies with senior leadership. In most companies, this is either the CEO or another C-Level executive such as a Chief Strategy Officer.

Looking for inspiration when setting your initial OKRs? When onboarding new clients, one of their first questions is, “Do you have examples of good OKRs?” In this article, we’ll provide examples of corporate goals for a B2B company and illustrate how they might cascade throughout the various departments in an organization.

In this article, we’ll explain how savvy CEOs are driving better results against top corporate goals by using the modern-day goal setting methodology, OKRs (Objectives & Key Results).

In this article, we’ll define the SMART goal setting approach, explain how to use SMART goals, and provide practical examples. Interwoven in the examples will be the best practices in implementing the protocol.

CEOs realize that failure to align their organizations, and the lack of employee engagement, are two of the most significant challenges to executing their strategies. So, what is the best goal setting approach?

It’s a New Year, 2019. Is this your break-out year? Are you looking to challenge and propel the organization to new heights? If so, then read on. In this article, we’ll provide strategic OKR examples that when implemented can serve as a launching pad for growth in 2019.