The COO agenda
Show notes
The operational vision of an effective organization should clearly articulate a plan for success, serving as the direction for employees working together towards shared goals. To successfully craft a vision and execution plan for operations, the COO must understand the overall business strategy, how operations can drive that strategy, and what role they will play in delivering results.
The core elements for crafting a COO agenda are:
- Vision — clear articulation of the overall aspiration of the operation, consistent and supporting the overall business strategy, and the role of the COO in delivering it
- Plan and execution — specific plan with clear actions and milestones to achieve the vision, anchored by a robust operating model to drive excellence in delivery
- Stakeholder engagement — deliberate approach to effectively align and engage with a broader set of internal and external stakeholders
- Organization and talent — proactively unlock the capacity of the organization by engaging and activating the skills and talents of the entire workforce and future-oriented succession planning
- Personal operating model — manage personal effectiveness, including time, energy, and leadership style
A vision without a plan is simply a wish. Time flies, and a host of distractions will hinder progress. A solid plan, one intertwined with the vision to drive coordinated actions and track progress, is essential for moving forward.
To build a robust plan, COOs should assess and act across five areas:
- Operations: What is the current performance and capability? Is the operation aligned with the vision? If not, what will that take to achieve?
- Stakeholders: What are the expectations of the CEO, the other Chiefs, boardroom, employees, customers, and other stakeholders?
- Culture: What is the organization’s culture, and are there changes needed? If so, how can I influence those changes?
- Team: Are the right team members in the right roles? Does the organizational structure support the operational requirements, particularly in regards to the vision?
- Yourself: What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? Am I meeting all the requirements of my role?
By ensuring a thorough understanding across these five areas, the COO can quickly identify and prioritize gaps or challenges, enabling them to act quickly where clear change is necessary. As COOs create and act on a plan, they need a portfolio of initiatives that include the desired impact, challenges to overcome, and a timeframe for action
The COO must be crystal clear on what creates distinctive value for the company — hint: it probably isn’t just low cost — all while understanding what the strategy means, how operations drive the strategy, and which operational sensitivities will determine the outcomes.
