How to do better

Strategy execution failure rate is a staggering 70% on average - despite OKRs being around since the 70s and balanced scorecards since the 90s. And despite powerful BI tools, Big Data, SharePoint, complex budget processes and management control models. Now we also need to add ESG to the equation, and on this, failure is not an option.

So how can we do better?

By engaging in an extensive literature review, we realized that research and evidence provide answers.

Data is not enough

In the digitized business world we are focused on data. Data-driven decision-making is the goal of many organizations. That’s a good thing, since decisions based on facts generally are more accurate. But we realized that we need to take the concept further, to create evidence-based decision support, factoring in knowledge and experience.

Data is mainly based on past performance. Past performance is no guarantee for future performance.

You can’t reach your final destination by only looking in the rear-view mirror. It’s not that existing data is yesterday’s news, but it is not enough.

We also need to connect the dots going forward. Plan the way ahead, learn, adjust, factor in people, knowledge, unforeseen events, changes in environment and technology.

And we don’t work alone. We are part of the organization’s eco-system, with both internal and external stakeholders.

Porter taught us that the essence of strategy is to make clear choices, manage and connect a unique set of activities, and allocate the resources needed to execute them. We should of course do so by being operationally efficient, but operational efficiency alone is not enough.

Doing the right thing comes first, doing the thing right comes in as a close second.

Mintzberg taught us that strategy is not what we say it is, it’s what we actually do - whether planned or not. He speaks of strategy in its many forms, whereof strategy as a pattern is a key concept crucial to successful strategy execution and change management. And digital transformation strategies, for example, are only partly about digitization.

Without managing change, people and old habits, it is difficult to succeed, no matter how good the technology is.

Knowledge and experience are needed in a complex reality

So we decided to develop a solution to increase the chances of successfully implementing strategy.

A solution based on management experience, evidence, research and technological skills.

And based on the fact that soft data is as important as hard data. And sustainability performance as important as financial performance. And people as important as technology.

We took this complex reality and created a digital Inclusive Governance Model, IGM, with the ambition to empowering managers and their teams, and supporting the transformation of their strategies and goals into reality.

Inclusive is the way to be

• Inclusive because our model unites the three main planning and execution processes: strategic, financial and operational.
• Inclusive because it integrates ESG in all three processes.
• Inclusive because it puts activities, resources and everyday decisions at the very heart of the model, right in the middle between goals and KPIs.
• And inclusive because it invites, connects and empowers people - and without people no strategy can ever become reality.

The label Young Innovative Company

We are proud that our digital Inclusive Governance Model has been recognized as an innovation by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, who has labelled us Jeune Entreprise Innovante, JEI (Young Innovative Company).

The expert report states: “What distinguishes [Cleerit’s model] is its holistic approach, which takes into account that the parts of the problem [strategy implementation] are interconnected and can only be understood by reference to the whole.”

Cleerit is a Friend of EFRAG Sustainability Reporting

We are also very proud to have been one of the first officially approved Friends of EFRAG Sustainability Reporting

EFRAG provides technical advice to the European Commission in the form of draft European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) elaborated under a robust due process, and supports the effective implementation of ESRS.

We are committed to supporting EFRAG’s mission in developing European Sustainability Reporting Standards and contributing to the progress of corporate reporting.

We do this with our holistic ESRS-taxonomy-centric ESG SaaS solution for Strategy, Governance & Reporting - Cleerit ESG.

Our mission: connecting people, planet and profit at the heart of business strategy and decisions with Cleerit ESG

In any language and currency.

We are looking forward to hearing from you, and helping you #getCSRDready!