Should you use OKR professionals for OKR Implementation?

by Lawrence Walsh | Mar 28, 2024

time icon 4 mins

OKRs are an essential way of defining company objectives to ensure the organisational strategy can be executed across an entire business. The OKR method allows all stakeholders within a company to be aligned on what is needed to help meet the top-level strategy. OKR implementation is a proven framework many organisations adopt and ensures that focus is placed on what’s going to move the needle for the business and what’s going to have the biggest impact.  Aside from their ability to give companies direction that will ultimately lead to business growth, OKR professionals can offer many other benefits, which we will explore in this article. We’ll cover the reasons why external OKR professionals can benefit an organisation, and how you can get the most out of a consultancy partnership. We’ll also explore the real cost of having a misaligned workforce when OKRs are not in place.  

What is the purpose of OKR professionals? 

OKR professionals are experienced and highly knowledgeable in the principles, methodologies, and best practices of using OKRs. They understand how to create clear, actionable objectives and measurable key results that align with organisational goals.  By using their expertise and unbiased view, businesses can create impactful goals that will help them reach their wider strategic goals with ease. Although OKRs can be managed in-house, the subjective view that OKR consultants can bring offers a higher chance of success without bias or emotional attachments getting in the way.

Understanding why people opt for OKR professional support

There are many reasons why businesses choose to seek professional OKR consultant support. Being able to implement Gold-Standard OKRs is a golden ticket to achieving growth. An OKR expert has the knowledge and experience needed to highlight key areas and set companies on the path to success.  

Expertise and experience  

One key reason why it benefits a business to work with external OKR consultants is that they bring expertise not currently available in-house. They have extensive experience achieving results and setting strategies, which improves the chance of success.  Expert OKR consultants bring a wealth of knowledge, best practices, and insights that can help organisations navigate the complexities of OKR implementation. 

Bespoke approach

External OKR support can offer a bespoke service that meets the organisation’s needs. When looking at objectives, the journey and destination will be different for every business. If you want to meet and exceed goals, the plan you adopt should be perfectly assigned to your organisation. At There Be Giants, we make OKRs work for you, not the other way around.

Change management

An OKR consultant is also a great way to manage change, as they can help keep company culture aligned even during times of disruption. Within a business, you will likely have people who are willing to change and others who dig their heels in the sand, which is why an OKR expert is ideal. These professionals are experienced at managing change and can guide your team through the transition, addressing any resistance or uncertainties.

Continuous Improvement

An OKR will establish a positive trajectory for future growth. OKR professionals assist in the initial implementation and emphasise the importance of continuous improvement in shaping a culture that is used to change. They can help establish feedback loops, monitor progress, and adapt the OKRs as needed to keep your organisation on the path to success. You may be thinking, why is continuous improvement important? Momentum is pivotal to change. OKRs allow companies to dig deep into establishing a culture suitable for making change. There will sometimes be mistakes made, and that is ok. However, once a strong momentum is in place, all parts of a journey can be dealt with efficiently. This is why OKRs are proven to offer rapid results, as it’s not just a goal but a recognition of the entire journey towards an ambitious goal. You are on course for the target result as long as you are moving.

How can you get the most out of working with an OKR professional?

If you have decided to use an OKR consultant for goal-setting and ongoing support there are a few things to consider. To get the full benefit from an OKR professional we recommend: 

  • Keep communications transparent across an organisation so that team members all feel involved 
  • Ensure you implement feedback from the OKR professional regarding present and future operations.
  • Have an open mind, and don’t be afraid to adopt change
  • Embed the new way of thinking into the company culture to ensure that goals are met and planning is simplified for future periods. It’s easier to build on past positive change instead of starting it again from scratch

In summary 

Using external OKR professionals for your OKR implementation is a great way to strengthen culture and awareness within a business. These experts have the experience and expertise that businesses lack when it comes to effective goal-setting, meaning they should absorb every piece of advice.    An important consideration is choosing what type of relationship the OKR consultant offers. Many will only provide initial support with implementing goals but not support on an ongoing basis. At There Be Giants, we are passionate about building relationships with our clients, whom we work with to nurture and grow.

Find out more about our OKR Implementation

Our team allows a unique approach to OKR management as we not only support OKR implementation, we also support organisations on an ongoing basis, providing additional advice across their OKR journey as they roll out the framework company-wide. To learn more and to start your journey of OKR success, book a call with our team now.