The aim of the Beyond Default Roundtable discussions is to give practitioners in strategy and change an opportunity to share their experiences, challenge conventional wisdom, brainstorm ideas and network with peers who share the same interests and challenges. In November 2022 a group of executives, consultants and academics met virtually to discuss the difference between a strategy and a plan. …
Virtual Roundtable – Summary of Discussion on Overcoming Barriers to Transformational Change
The aim of the Beyond Default Roundtable discussions is to give practitioners in strategy and change an opportunity to share their experiences, challenge conventional wisdom, brainstorm ideas and network with peers who share the same interests and challenges. In August 2022 a group of executives, consultants and academics met virtually to discuss overcoming barriers to transformational change. The discussion was …
Virtual Roundtable – Summary of Discussion on Confronting Your Default Future
The aim of the Beyond Default Roundtable discussions is to give practitioners in strategy and change an opportunity to share their experiences, challenge conventional wisdom, brainstorm ideas and network with peers who share the same interests and challenges. The discussion was led by David Trafford, co-author of Beyond Default and moderated by Chris Hallam, founder of CH Coaching Solutions. As …
Bizzdesign: Interview with David Trafford
In this Bizzdesign podcast interview, David Trafford argues that today’s increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world requires a different approach to developing strategy, one that is more cognisant of the exogenous and endogenous forces that are continually changing the context within which organisations operate. Only by understanding the influence of these forces can leaders make informed decisions on …
Bizzdesign: Interview with David Trafford
In this Bizzdesign vidcast interview, David Trafford argues that today’s increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world requires a different approach to developing strategy, one that is more cognisant of the exogenous and endogenous forces that are continually changing the context within which organisations operate. Only by understanding the influence of these forces can leaders make informed decisions on …
Innovation and Strategy
Those familiar with the Beyond Default approach to strategy will know that the essential purpose of strategy is to change the trajectory of an organisation, from one that’s taking it to its default future – which is a place it will end up if it takes no action other than that currently planned – to one that leads to an …
Does Your Vision Really Need a Strategy?
Conventional thinking on strategy is that you need to start by defining a vision, a future state that defines what you want your organisation to become, achieve or contribute. While visions are important – as are mission and purpose statements – they rarely live up to expectations. All too often they state the obvious: ‘to be better’, ‘to do no …
DIY Strategy Health Check
Getting a health check is always a good thing. It can tell you whether you’re in good shape or if you need to give attention to things before they get worse. It’s the same with strategy. A health check can tell whether your strategy is in good shape or if action is needed to put it back on track. While …
Virtual Roundtable – Summary of Discussion on Common Strategy Traps and How to Avoid Them
The aim of the Beyond Default Roundtable discussions is to give experienced practitioners in strategy and change an opportunity to share their experiences, challenge conventional wisdom, brainstorm ideas and network with peers who have the same interests and challenges. In November 2021 a group of executives, consultants and academics met virtually to discuss the common traps many fall into when …
The Importance of Critical Thinking in Strategy Development
Developing strategy is a process of deciding on the trajectory an organisation needs to take to avoid its default future – which is the place it will end up if it takes no action other than that currently planned. It involves deciding the strategic intent – which is what an organisation aims to become or achieve – and the trajectory …