Evaluating Strategic Ideas
Open for business
Holiday mode We don’t have a White Christmas in New Zealand. We head off to the beach, lake or river. I like summer holidays as much as the next Kiwi but Hague Consulting is open for business now and in January. Being open for business means being open to opportunities for growth, innovation, optimisation and…
Read MoreCut your coat to fit your cloth
Should we budget based on our bank balance or our wish list? There is an old saying : “Cut your coat to fit your cloth”. We should make our plans based on the resources we have, not what we wish we had. I had reason to reflect on that recently for personal reasons which I…
Read MoreA fresh pair of eyes helps you grow
A fresh pair of eyes – how it helps me Each year I get to hear about great ideas being implemented around the world. And I get to ask the people who lead those initiatives any questions I like. Even better, I get to do it with colleagues from around the world who are in…
Read MoreTransformation creates value. Are you transforming or tinkering?
Transformation creates value while tinkering just keeps us busy. Transformation is driven by a strategic focus on being in a different place in the future. Strategic transformation redefines an organisation’s operations, identity and direction. That can mean entering new markets, shifting from products to services, digitalisation at scale, switching from physical stores to online etc.…
Read MoreWhat is a feasibility study?
A feasibility study is an early examination of the merits of an idea, proposal or project. It looks at whether or not it can be done, its likelihood of success and, perhaps most importantly, identifies the factors that could lead to success or failure. It gives an independent assessment that examines all aspects of a…
Read MoreBenefits are at the centre of change
Benefits are at the centre of change. Organisations change because of the promise of benefits, or beneficial outcomes. Benefits matter. Disruption is worthwhile to gain efficiency, increase revenue, reduce cost, increase security, achieve growth, solve a big problem or create new products and services. We all like benefits which is why business cases are full…
Read MoreOrganisational Improvement – 4 operating modes
Improving organisational capability is critical to raise productivity. Organisational improvement occurs in different ways. The language of disruption is common but true disruption creates new markets and industries. Most firms don’t do that. They adapt and change but they do so on a smaller scale. Four Operating Modes for Organisational Improvement I find that organisations…
Read MoreIf we learn lessons, mistakes can help us
Learning from mistakes is good. Learning from someone else’s mistakes is better. Learning from what went right is better still. We have all done things that didn’t go so well – sometimes we fail spectacularly. We tend to remember those moments. The embarrassment and sense of failure fades with time but we retain a lesson…
Read MoreStrategy means facing challenges
Delivery of strategy always has its challenges. Lack of money, resources and support can affect success. My first job out of university was as a historic researcher for the New Zealand Forest Service (NZFS) then the Department of Conservation (DOC). My job was to research historic sites and to help develop a successful strategy for…
Read MoreBetter Business Cases – Are They?
Formal, standardised business cases used to be common only for larger investments. Now, NZ state sector agencies use the Better Business Cases (BBC) format for smaller, internal and less-visible proposals. The current investment threshold is $15m in whole-of-life costs. BBC must be used for any new Crown projects. It is also mandatory for anything deemed…
Read More