1. Innovation is what excellence looks like during times of rapid transformation
Introduction to M.O.S.T.
2. M.O.S.T.
MISSION::OBJECTIVES::STRATEGIES::TACTICS
• Digitalization and globalization make rapid transformation constant.
• Turbulence threatens stability with regularity.
• Change is empowering or paralyzing, it’s a choice.
• “Innovation” is a label placed with hindsight – it’s not a strategy.
• Excellence can be defined and used to focus resources.
• M.O.S.T. keeps the focus on excellence especially when dealing with turbulence.
3. Definitions
Creating a common language is critical to the evolution of a strong corporate culture.
MISSION
• An aspirational statement that defines the purpose. An evergreen and transparent badge. The
reason that employees and customers are proud to align with the company.
OBJECTIVES
• 2 to 4 measurable and enduring goals that focus the company. They define how the company
creates value.
STRATEGIES
• The specific initiatives, reconsidered annually, that the company believes will best deliver on each
of the objectives. Resources are aligned around strategies.
TACTICS
• Last but most important – what every employee does everyday to assure that the strategies are
executed with excellence.
• Tactics need to accommodate dynamic environments.
– Proactive change that improves the probability of delivering the strategy is healthy.
– Reactive change that chases external events usually drifts the company off strategy.
4. Example: The United States
MISSION: Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness.”
OBJECTIVES: The Constitution
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice,
insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America…”
STRATEGIES: Bill of Rights
Example of a strategy:
Amendment IV: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall
issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the
place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
TACTICS: 3 Branches of Gov’t. - Legislative, Judicial and Executive
Laws, regulations and organizations that guide the daily activities of our society.
5. M.O.S.T. at Work
• MOST is a discipline that guides management from a point-of-view that employees
understand and support.
• MOST is a document that keeps the company focused, especially when dealing with the
unexpected.
• MOST is a customer-centric process that sorts out meaningful change from hype and noise.
• MOST is a conflict resolution tool that surfaces internal debates constructively to create
alignment and a path forward.
• MOST is an investment tool that focuses limited resources on the right things while making it
easier to cut investments in the wrong things.
• MOST becomes “muscle memory” that keeps a complex organization focused on excellence
even when turbulence threatens stability.
• MOST evolves a culture that is nimble because of transparency, trust, alignment and focus.
