Companies face different challenges on the journey of business evolution. Some of these challenges are framed in the technical, market and economic environment. We can speak to the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous forces in the business world, the so-called VUCA forces that shape the realities for every enterprise.

Another set of challenges is often framed in the strategic and cultural realities of the organization. These derive from the everyday thought and behavior of people at every level of the company. These challenges surface in conversations about:

-     Major strategic choices and decision making

-     Resource allocation priorities and resource development

-     Targets for business growth, performance and change

-     Risk management in the context of business evolution

-     Human capital and benchstrength matched to plans

Each of these challenges poses as some kind of opportunity if boards and management have a little strategic resolve. If we could put strategic resolve in a few words, we mean:

-     Courage to move beyond norms and convention

-     Energy and a sense of urgency to make advances

-     Accountability in thought, action and outcomes

-     Respect for the challenges and for passion for solutions

-     Curiosity to tap into opportunities and competencies

Strategic resolve can be expressed in scenario analysis and planning, innovation research, service process analysis, customer engagement, project collaboration, business model research and other good practices. But the heart and soul of strategic resolve is found in the leadership mandates of the organization and the engagement of people in the serious work of making strategy happen. Focusing on results, no matter the challenges or speed bumps or tradition, is what the strategic resolve is all about.