An under-recognized constraint at innovative and action-oriented businesses today is a clear answer to the question: How do we get started?  That is, faced with a pressing problem or opportunity, business leaders often get stuck in the starting block.

For instance, management struggles with how to muster internal resources; and meaningful action is delayed or washed out by distractions from other parts of the business.  Or, the business rushes headlong into activities, without a mobilizing “What” and “Why”.  In either case, the problem or opportunity remains unresolved.  

So, how do business leaders break out of this habit and mindset?

The answer is common sensical if not commonly practiced:  it is a practical quick-strike approach to define the opportunity, and structure the path forward.

With Quick-Strike Opportunity Definition (Q-SOD), business leaders can determine comprehensively in just a couple weeks what should be done and why, and how.  Q-SOD outputs:

• Clear “problem-to-solve” that engages and aligns the organization (“Why”)
• Key assumptions and tactics to get the job done (“What”)
• Agile structure and ways of working (“How”)

The net result of the two-week quick strike is a single-page Execution Charter specifying 1) problem-to- solve and objectives; 2) success definition and timeframe; 3) Agile execution structure and ways of working; and 4) key activities, with an accompanying list of Startup Backlog and first-week Sprint Deliverables.

The business is thereby ready to go – or potentially “Hold” based on strong understanding of outcomes, cost, and timing.  Either way, the problem or opportunity is addressed definitively, with a clear path forward.

The Quick-Strike Opportunity Definition mini-process is enabled by a practical playbook of frameworks and tools which can easily and immediately deployed – e.g., contextual questions to ask, Blue Ocean assessment and ideation tools, execution templates, etc.  And driving the quick strike is an (external) “player coach” with strong focus and commitment to meet the tight timeframe, partnering with the CEO and leadership team as necessary.

In just two weeks, the business is ready to attack efficiently the issue:  be it product, service, or business model innovation; business development initiatives aimed at key accounts or new markets; or productivity enhancements to internal functions.

“A journey of 1000 miles starts with the first step.”  The irony at innovative and action-oriented businesses today is that often the starting point is the stumbling block.  In contrast, a small investment in quick-strike opportunity definition yields faster and greater returns.  

© OIC Innovation LLC 2023