METAPHORS
METAPHORS
AT PLAY
THE
SITUATION
A Development Agency convenes a Board meeting to create its very first strategy.
The members range from an Anglican Bishop, through political representatives to CEO’s of public companies, who have been chosen to represent as broad a social perspective as possible.
THE
SITUATION
A Development Agency convenes a Board meeting to create its very first strategy.
The members range from an Anglican Bishop, through political representatives to CEO’s of public companies, who have been chosen to represent as broad a social perspective as possible.
WHAT WE FOUND
In preparation with the Chairman and CEO it was clear that all Board members held very strong, widely differing opinions on what their purpose should be. With only two days to forge agreement.
The question – How to create an effective strategy with such opposing views? Then two days became one. Then one day became five hours. No traditional planning process will inspire common cause in that time.
WHAT WE FOUND
In preparation with the Chairman and CEO it was clear that all Board members held very strong, widely differing opinions on what their purpose should be. With only two days to forge agreement.
The question – How to create an effective strategy with such opposing views? Then two days became one. Then one day became five hours. No traditional planning process will inspire common cause in that time.
WHAT WE DID
We ran a strategy workshop where the Board sat in silence, eyes closed, imagining their most powerful metaphors of success. The metaphors were abstracted to create a long list of objectives integrating all positive views. The final strategy prioritised the most compelling objectives using paired comparisons analysis.
WHAT WE DID
We ran a strategy workshop where the Board sat in silence, eyes closed, imagining their most powerful metaphors of success. The metaphors were abstracted to create a long list of objectives integrating all positive views. The final strategy prioritised the most compelling objectives using paired comparisons analysis.
THE RESULTS
The Development Agency followed the strategy for eight years, beat all targets, created 826 new business and 10,888 new jobs.