As we pass 2 weeks in Lockdown v2, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about what happens next. Will we be ‘let out’ on 3rd Dec or stay in Lockdown for longer? What restrictions will still be in play? What does all this mean for Christmas? Will I see my parents on the other side of the country apart from via Zoom?
And even beyond that … when will we have the vaccine and when will life start to return to normal? (whatever normal will mean!) Will we go into recession and for how long? What will the shape of the recovery be? Not to mention, what’s happening with Brexit?
2020, a year of managing crisis
For many businesses, 2020 has been a year of continually needing to react and adapt to the latest COVID restrictions, government schemes and changes in customer behaviours and needs.
There have been some failures, some successes and lots of pain, but for the vast majority it has felt like the last 9 months have been about managing a crisis. Adopting a crisis mentality which is often about short term decisions and actions and making sure the next set of decisions you take are the right ones. It’s stressful and it’s not sustainable, but it has been a necessity.
Moving from Crisis to Reset
Whilst high levels of uncertainty remain, things are getting clearer and some things, such as digital adoption, have changed for good, and for the better. We would argue that for many, the time has come to shift mindset, to step away from being in that reactive ‘crisis mode’ and to start to think about whether you’re set up to succeed beyond the crisis. Time to Reset.
But why do that now, when so much is still uncertain?
Some uncertainty remains, but as 2020 concludes, and people begin to consider what Christmas will bring, it is the perfect time to start looking forward. To refresh your thinking and realign your customer delivery and colleagues behind you.
Checking-in on your strategy and plan gives you the opportunity to identify and target problems before they become issues, and gives you the reassurance and confidence that you are clear, focused and aligned in delivery. And where you’re not, what you need to do to get there. All adding up to helping you succeed more effectively.
A Hedgehog Strategy Check-in makes the process more straightforward
A Strategy Check-in looks at your Ambition, your Goals, your Roadmap and your operating model – do they remain clear, focused and relevant against your current context. Where you’ve delivered some things, others may have changed, especially as you’ve had to make decisions and adapt at speed. Not to mention what’s changed for your customers, colleagues, suppliers and potentially the regulatory environment.
It provides reassurance where you’re set up to deliver well, but it also identifies areas which have become less clear, and the questions which now need thinking about. It gives you the opportunity to course correct sooner rather than later, or even seize new opportunities that have come to light. And it also checks that your team and your activities are still aligned across the business and join up where they need to.
There is value in getting external support to help you do this. An external view brings a fresh pair of eyes to what you’re doing, an objective perspective and alternative insights and experience to that of the team. It also gives space for it to be conducted quickly.
Hedgehog’s Strategy Check-in process is proven and can be undertaken within a week with minimal disruption to your day to day business. We can help Executive teams progress more quickly than they could by themselves – talking to key members of your team, reviewing your current strategy and plans and considering key questions about the environment within which you operate.
At the end you’ll receive a report that identifies where your Ambition, Roadmap and operating model remain sound, as well as the key gaps, questions and other aspects that need some rethinking. Providing you with a set of practical actions to ensure you are set up to deliver more successfully in the coming year.
If you think this could be of value to you and your business and want to discuss, please get in touch at alyson@hedgehogstrategy.com.
Thanks for reading. Take care and stay safe
Alyson