Strategy and Digital Transformation

Hello, 2023. Almost every forward-looking person at this time must have asked themselves this question. What is the plan? It is a new year, so what is the plan? It is a challenging question; it is a critical question. What is the plan? So, I asked myself this question the last week of 2022, what can I ultimately focus on in the new year that is worthwhile for my family and me? Sitting to think about it was flustering, multiple stuff juggling my mind. After some contemplation and self-reflection, I focused on personal and professional growth. I thought of clear, measurable goals that are important to me, such as career, finances, and health. I did check my BMI lately, and it shows I am a little overweight for the first time in my life, so it will take a real effort to bring it under control. I did travel a lot in the last four years, and unfortunately, I missed some significant family milestones while stuck in Australia, away from my family. So, I plan to prioritize spending quali...

In the world of throughput noise, alignment makes sense of chaos,  Zappos Family of Companies  aligns its team's goals with its mission to "Deliver WOW through service." by training its customer service representatives to go above and beyond for their customers. With that kind of mission, you can expect high customer loyalty, word-of-mouth evangelism, and importantly reduced CAC which obviously translates to sales! No wonder Zappos was snapped by a company with similar value, you guess right by  Amazon  in 2009 for $ 1.2 billion. It is not easy, but it is indeed very important that business, their leaders, and their teams take time to reflect on their mission and operational alignment with their strategic goals as often as possible. Aligning the team's goals with your organization's mission is very essential for success and brand differentiation! Companies looking to succeed and differentiate themselves can take note of Zappos' customer-centric strategy.  

You are not alone! Starting a business is challenging and risky, and it's common for entrepreneurs to face skepticism and a lack of understanding from people around them, especially from family and friends. People are naturally used to traditional career paths. Starting a business from scratch takes much work for them to comprehend. Picture: helloimnik So, don't be surprised when people ask why you aren't applying to jobs when things seem to be working out slowly or when they can't see how much effort it requires to get your business off the ground. There are times when you have to make tough decisions that require prioritizing business over your personal life. But despite these challenges, having confidence in yourself and your vision is essential. Starting a business is a personal journey, and it's okay if some do not understand or support such decisions. The good thing is that the rewards of entrepreneurship can be great if you are willing to take risks and put i...

Root cause analysis is a method used to identify the underlying causes of a problem or issue. Focusing on the specific causes of pain rather than just the symptoms make it possible to develop practical solutions that address the issue's root causes. Africa's problems should be tackled from its root cause rather than a top to bottom approach that is prevalent when leaders talk about Africa's problems.     Photo by James Wiseman on Unsplash One reason why Africans need to focus on country-specific problem-solving is that the continent of Africa is incredibly diverse, with many different countries, cultures, and challenges. For example, Nigeria's issues differ from those facing South Africa, and a solution that works for one country may need to be more effective for another. By focusing on each country's specific challenges, it is possible to develop holistic policies and solutions tailored to that country's unique needs. Focusing on country-specific problem-s...

I have been asked why organizations should take strategic mission alignment seriously. Here is my answer. Photo by Edz Norton Strategic mission alignment is a crucial aspect of organizational management. It involves aligning the organization's mission and goals with the actions and decisions of its employees. This alignment is vital because it ensures that everyone in the organization is working towards the same goals and objectives. This, in turn, can lead to several benefits for the organization, including increased productivity, improved efficiency, and tremendous success in achieving its strategic goals. Photo by Arjan de Jong One of the key benefits of strategic mission alignment is that it helps ensure that all employees work towards the same goals. It means increased collaboration and teamwork, directly or indirectly improving productivity and efficiency. Additionally, when employees work towards common goals, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged, leading to bett...

Strategic mission alignment is a crucial concept for organizations seeking to achieve their goals and objectives effectively. It involves aligning the organization's mission, vision, and values with its strategies and actions, ensuring that all efforts are directed toward achieving the organization's overarching goals.       One of the key benefits of strategic mission alignment is improved focus and direction. By aligning all aspects of the organization's operations with its mission, vision, and values, it becomes easier for employees to understand what the organization is trying to achieve and how their efforts contribute to this goal. This can help to create a sense of purpose and direction among employees, leading to increased motivation and productivity. Unsplash Picture by Paul Skorupskas Another key benefit of strategic mission alignment is improved decision-making. By having a clear understanding of the organization's goals and values, employees are better equi...

Yesterday, while dressing up my 3-year-old daughter Halona. I was slightly surprised when she asked me why the food was not working. To her, the food she eats ought to have given her everything to be as big and tall as her mum. I showed her the clothes she wore when she was a year old and asked her to try them on; they wouldn't fit (she was able to see the growth, a measure of success). I then assured her that she would be as big as Mama one day if she continued to eat good food and a balanced diet (strategy for growth). Come to think of it, most businesses are like Halona. Every business has a vision and mission. When organizations design strategies to implement their strategic goals, it's a no-brainer that they define a measure of success, usually for a quarter or a year (short to long-term strategic goals). Now imagine, what will happen to a business when they need to measure the effectiveness of its strategic plan without having efficient tools or processes to do it. It is...