The Strategy Gap – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of "The Strategy Gap", hosts Jonathan Morgan and Joe Krause engage in a robust conversation with Marc Mertz, the Chief Strategy Officer at Kaweah Health. Marc, who has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, delves into the significant role of a Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). He explains that a CSO is pivotal in leading the development of the strategic plan, engaging various teams in the process, and overseeing the plan’s execution throughout the year. Marc highlights that his position allows him to focus on conceptual strategic thinking, such as developing new services and market positioning, as opposed to being absorbed by day-to-day operational responsibilities.

The discussion further explores the challenge of balancing immediate operational pressures with strategic foresight, especially in a high-stakes environment like healthcare. Marc shares his insights on encouraging executives and staff to allocate mental space for strategic thinking by conducting visioning sessions. He also talks about the importance of transforming complex strategic plans into simplified formats, such as a single-page document that includes the organization’s mission, vision, pillars, and measurable outcomes. This approach not only enhances understanding and visibility but also ensures the strategic plan remains a functional tool rather than a neglected document.

Moreover, the episode emphasizes the vital components of execution and accountability in strategic planning. Marc discusses the use of tools like AchieveIt to track progress, ensure timely updates, and maintain visibility across the organization. He also underscores the significance of regular updates and presentations to leadership teams and the board, which fosters continuous engagement and accountability. The conversation touches on the necessity of annual reviews to adjust plans as needed while celebrating milestones and successes to keep the momentum going. By engaging all levels of the organization and maintaining a structured review process, Marc firmly believes that strategic plans can transition from static documents to dynamic guides that drive meaningful progress.

In this episode:

• 0:00 The Role of the Chief Strategy Officer in Healthcare
• 4:19 Strategic Thinking for Executives During Crisis
• 8:34 Community-Informed Strategic Planning for Organizational Success
• 10:17 Including Stakeholders in Plan Execution: Focusing on Benefits
• 15:44 Scorekeeping and Visibility in Strategic Planning
• 17:41 Managing Control and Pressure in Professional Settings
• 20:43 The Power of Consistency in Achieving Change
• 25:41 The Importance of Adhering to One-Year Plans
• 27:35 Navigating the First Year: Patience and Focus

Curious about how universities are navigating the fast-changing landscape of higher education?

In this episode of The Strategy Gap, Jonathan Morgan and Joe Krause welcome Shawn Daley, the Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer at George Fox University, for a deep dive into the challenges and innovations shaping the future of academia.

Discover how higher ed institutions are borrowing strategies from for-profit sectors to stay competitive, hear firsthand how Shawn is revolutionizing student and parent experiences with ideas borrowed from the hospitality and tech industries, and gain insight into the financial hurdles facing smaller schools. If you're looking to understand the next wave of change in higher education, this episode is a must-listen.

Here's what you'll learn in the episode:

• 00:00 - George Fox: Overcoming FAFSA Challenges and Growing
• 3:07 - Challenges of University Governance in a Changing Market
• 7:46 - Exploring the Influence of Hospitality in Real Estate and Urban Planning
• 13:10 - Monthly Staff Meetings and Initiative Reviews 
• 17:04 - Facilitating Faculty Collaboration Through Market Research Team Involvement
• 20:00 - The Chaotic Life of an Administrator
• 23:55 - The Future of Technical and Leadership Training
• 26:06 - Challenges of Higher Education Partnerships
• 29:40 - Enhancing Academic Career Success through Broader Sector Understanding

When it comes to generative AI, most people are asking the wrong question: Is it good or bad? But the better way to approach this omnipresent topic is by figuring out the RIGHT way to implement the tech into your strategy and processes.

To talk about this, we’re joined by Lisa Esch, Senior Vice President and Chief of Strategy, Innovation, and Industry Solutions at NTT DATA. Lisa provides a crash course on all things generative AI, LLMs, and the risks and calculations any type of organization should be factoring into their decision-making surrounding AI. Lisa’s experiences in healthcare tech—and the lessons she’s learned from witnessing how AI has shifted the industry’s landscape—provide an excellent case study for anyone asking how this game-changing can fit into their operations.

Join us as we discuss:

• The vital role of governance in AI adoption and implementation
• How to think beyond point solutions
• The “build vs. buy” question
• Why leaders need to strive for alignment and prioritization

Negotiations don’t have to lead to one-sided solutions or unfavorable compromises. In fact, when it comes to effective strategy execution and revenue operations, they shouldn’t!

This week, we’re joined by George DeVardo, VP of Revenue Operations and Strategy at Enthusiast Gaming, who shares his belief in the value of trust and understanding when working toward solutions between decision-makers and team members—whether you’re working within an organization or assisting as a third-party. We also explore how third parties can provide valuable perspectives to help a team arrive at a workable and timely solution, rather than making decisions for them as a subject matter expert.

Join us as we discuss:

• The concept of the best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA)
• Why it’s important to be able to say “No” when developing strategy
• Clarity and prioritization in the planning process
• The difference between internal and external negotiations

Today’s episode features an in-person one-on-one conversation between Joe and Jonathan as they trade thoughts on common mistakes that leaders make in strategy execution, as well as the consequences of those mistakes. Using the news of some costly missteps (and even more costly blame-shifting) from entertainment executives as a jumping-off point, the co-hosts cover everything from effective communication to smart prioritization.

Join Jonathan and Joe as they discuss:

• Closing the feedback loop, even if you’re not using the feedback
• Leaders being fully present and participatory whenever possible
• Considering the perspectives of team members at every level of the organization

The Secrets to Building & Maintaining an All-Star team…

Today we get to sit down with Eric Patten, EVP of Operations at Kingstree, as he takes us through his personal approach to team building and increasing productivity. Eric’s 31 years of experience in nursing helps in his unique role to build effective teams and create long-term relationships with clients. Hear more about how Eric strategically builds and assesses teams, handles workplace turnover, responds to feedback, and approaches customer service.

Join as we discuss:

• Assessing Team Fit in Projects
• Team Building and Turnover in the Workplace
• Communication, Feedback, and Teamwork in Customer Service
• Leadership, Positivity, and Mentorship in Healthcare

The healthcare industry is vast and organizations and companies within it are equally as large. Navigating change, especially recent paradigm shifts towards value-based care, can be fraught with challenges for leadership and employees.

Joining our hosts, Jonathan and Joe, for this episode is Teresa Patterson, Strategy and Growth Leader. She has rich experience in navigating the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care, and the critical role leadership plays in fostering a culture of change and effective communication within healthcare organizations. Where do you even start?

Teresa, Joe, and Jonathan walk us through:

• The challenges and strategies in the healthcare industry's transition from a fee-for-service model to value-based care.
• The nuances of change management, including leadership's role, effective communication, and the vital involvement of employees in the change process.
• Insights into the art of balancing empathy and accountability in healthcare leadership, with motivation strategies, organizational behavior considerations, and the connection of frontline employees to broader organizational goals.

Today we’re joined by Adam Sidoti, VP of Revenue Operations at Redwood Logistics, who believes data should lead the conversation, but it needs to be complemented by deeper conversation and empirical evidence to get the full picture. He draws on his background as a Lawyer to highlight the significance of understanding personality profiles and organizational philosophies in creating successful teams. From leveraging data to shape narratives, to managing exits and repositioning individuals, this episode offers valuable insights into talent management and organizational effectiveness.

Join as we discuss:

• Importance of Data-Driven Decision Making
• Human Resources and Organizational Decisions
• Hiring and Organizational Roles
• Individual Personality and Role Fit
• Relying on Data and Trusting Instincts

Everyone wants to claim data-driven success these days and knows that data is important to building and executing successful strategies- but how do we successfully incorporate data into planning and execution?

In this episode, Will Ritchings, Director of Revenue Strategy and Operations at SecurityScorecard, joins Joe and Jonathan to dissect the challenges of data management, share his insights on effective dashboard design, and unravel the key elements for building a successful data strategy.

Join us as they get deep into:

• The crucial interplay of context in data analysis, preventing misinterpretations and fostering informed decision-making.
• Strategies for effective dashboard creation, emphasizing the need for balance and tailored approaches based on diverse audience needs.
• Insights into building a successful data strategy, from prioritizing goals to communicating the time and effort involved.

Strategy consulting is a big industry- but how can it work for you when the path from strategic planning to execution has so many nuances particular to each industry and company?

Before Daniel Goldstein became Director of Strategy and Operations at Array, he spent over eight years working as a consultant in innovation and incubation. This is when he honed his skills and passion for strategy execution, helping fortune 500 companies develop and launch new businesses. He shares his experience from that time and how to best put the right ideas into motion.

Jonathan, Joe and Daniel discuss:

• The delicate balance between prioritizing ideas in startups and aligning large corporate teams for execution
• Insights into hiring strategy consultants and vetting candidates effectively
• How to engage in strategic planning with a focus on adaptability and customized frameworks