soar approach to strategy · •based on appreciative inquiry and positive ... share to $1.37 per...

TheLeanWayConsulting.com (404) 855-1634

SOAR Approach to Strategy

Ankit Patel

11/9/2012

ASP - Atlanta


Agenda

• Framing a Thought - Power of words (youtube)

• What is SOAR

• SOAR vs SWOT

• Why SOAR matters

• Example Results

• Integrating into the strategic process

• Exercise (time permitting)


What is SOAR

trengths

pportunities

spirations

esults

pportunities

trengths

eaknesses

hreats


What is SOAR?

• Based on Appreciative Inquiry and Positive Psychology

• Designed as a methodology and not just a tool

• Desired outcome is clarity and aligned action for every stakeholder1


SOAR and SWOT2

Internal

Assessment

Strengths

Where we can outperform

others

Weakness

Where others can

outperform us

External

Assessment

Opportunities

How we might exploit the

market

Threats

What/who might take our

market

Strategic

Inquiry

Strengths

What are our greatest

Strengths

Opportunities

What are the best possible

market opportunities

Appreciative

Intent

Aspirations

What is our preferred

future

Results

What are the measurable

results


SOAR and SWOT1

SWOT Analysis SOAR Approach

Analysis oreinted Action Oreiented

Weakness & Threats focused Strenghts & opportuniites Focus

Competition Fous - "Just Be Better" Possibliity Focus - "Be the Best!"

Incremental Improvement Innovation and Breakthroughs

Top Down Engagement at all Levels

Focus on analysis -> Planning Focus on planning -> Implementation

Energy Depleating Energy Creating

Attention to Gaps Attention to Results


Strengths -Organizations Resources and capabilities -Basis for differentiating advantage

Weaknesses -Absence of strength; lack of resource or capability -Flipside of a strength; downside of focusing on competitive advantage

Opportunities -External circumstances that support profit and growth -Unfilled customer needs, new technology, favorable legislation

Threats -External circumstances that hinders profits and growth

Strengths -What are we doing really well? -What are our greatest assets? -What are we most proud of accomplishing -What do our strengths tell about our skills

Opportunities -How do we collectively understand outside threats? -How can we reframe to see the opportunity -What is the enterprise asking us to do -How can we best partner with others

Aspirations -Considering Strengths and Opportunities, who should we become -How do we allow our values to drive our vision -how can we make a difference for our organization and its stake holders

Results -What are our measurable results -What do we want to be known for -Ho do we tangibly translate Strengths, Opportunities, and Aspirations

Source: Stavors, Hinriches, Hammond, Annis; The Thin Book of SOAR; 2009

SWOT -> SOAR Mapping


Why Does it Matter? 3

Performance Level Positive : Negative

High 5.614

Medium 1.855

Low 0.363

Positivity • Drives a larger emotional space • Stimulates a thrive response rather than a fight or flight response • Drives performance


Example - Regional Office of Professional Services Firm1

Rankings are based on the companies internal ranking system


Example – Roadway2

• Revenues increased by 25.7% following the SOAR event

• Generated over $1,000,000 in business from an idea that was conceived in the SOAR event

• Income from operations went from $.72 per share to $1.37 per share for Q4 year over year


Example - teknetex

• 2012 INC 500 list #485

• 790.2% growth over three years

• Best places to work in Nashville for companies less than 50 employees


Strategic Deployment Environmental

Scan/Exam/ Current Vision and Mission

Co-Create a Dynamic

Strategy with Stakeholders using SOAR

Develop Multi-year

Breakthrough Objectives

Develop One Year Action

Plans

Develop Projects/Owners

/Timelines

Monitor Plan on Regular Basis

Course Correct as Needed


Let’s Practice

• Partner with someone you don’t know

• Ask each other the question – Strategy is a plan of action to achieve a specific

goal. “Tell me about a time in you life when you experienced an amazing strategy. It could be at a company, your own business, your personal life, or even your first grade class.” • What did it feel like?

• What where others doing?

• How did the experience leave an impact on you?


References

1. Stavors, Hinriches, Hammond, Annis; The Thin Book of SOAR; 2009

2. Cooperrider, Whitney, Stavros, Fry; Appreciative Inquiry Handbook; 2008

3. Losada, Heaply. The Role of Positivity and Connectivity in the Performance of Business Teams. American Behavioral Scientist vol 47 no 6 Feb. 2004

soar approach to strategy · •based on appreciative inquiry and positive ... share to $1.37 per...

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