Did you know that nearly half of all companies fail to meet financial targets? This lack of success can be traced back to poor annual..
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If you’ve seen this movie then you know how it ends: Significant differences in vision among the executive team, lack of alignment that..
Topics: High-Performance Solutions, CEO Success
As a leader, your company or team is only as strong as your leadership capabilities. If you find yourself stuck at a certain stage, your..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, CEO Success
Measuring the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is vital to the health and success of your business. However, when onboarding new..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
As strategy planning experts, we often get asked how to run a strategic planning meeting, as great strategic meetings don't happen by..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
As middle market strategy execution experts, we get asked many questions about KPI scorecards for firms to manage the metrics that matter...
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
In my last blog, I talked about how most meetings suck. Now, I want to focus our energy on ways to fix them and have effective meetings...
Topics: Effective Meetings
It is no secret that your people are instrumental in the The success of your business. To have a great company, you have to hire the right..
When thinking about the most important numbers to measure in your business, most of our clients have no trouble coming up with a list of..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
What is a huddle meeting? The daily huddle meeting has been a common practice for many companies. No matter your industry (manufacturing,..
Topics: Effective Meetings
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions, Rhythm Employee Spotlight
Financial rewards are just the beginning of keeping employees active in their roles. Another, more An overlooked factor is job..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
The Power of DiSC Assessments
Experts agree that team health is essential to a thriving company culture. Imagine a team where frustration..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions
At Rhythm Systems, we are all about helping companies and teams achieve their dreams and goals.
We have the systems and skills to help..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions
Many planning tools are used on an annual basis—yet they are often overlooked in the middle of a pandemic like COVID-19. Now more than..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Effective Meetings
Understanding EOS Traction Rocks
Every successful climb begins with finding suitable footholds—strategic points that support your upward..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Rhythm System Software
As a leader with decades in the business, I attended the Galliard Group National Gathering, where I spent two days with many talented and..
What Should You Do When You Receive The Gift Of Red?
We’ve all been there, it’s a few weeks into our quarter or year and either that..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, High-Performance Solutions, Rhythm System Software
Creating a high-performing team is crucial to achieving success. However, managing a diverse group of individuals with different..
Strategic plans often turn into dust-collecting documents. To bridge the gap between planning and execution, leaders need to understand..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions
Strategic planning is a critical part of running a successful company or organization. Yet, too often, companies don’t take enough time to..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
Mastering CEO excellence has become a vital pursuit of executives with a growth mindset, and for good reason. The role of a CEO is..
Many companies I work with have an Annual Plan and some foundational strategic elements, like Core Values, Core Purpose, and..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
In his upcoming book, The Journey to CEO Success: 7 Practices for High-Growth Leadership, our CEO Patrick Thean shares how critical it is..
Customer retention is a routine where you rinse, repeat, and rise to perfection over time. In the last year, Winning new customers and..
Topics: Increasing Sales, Strategies for Growth
Even the most brilliant strategy is futile if it sits gathering dust on a shelf, untouched and unexecuted. Execution is where your vision..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Goal Planning
Philip Kotler implores us to do a better job of understanding “who” our valuable customers are and then to deeply please them, rather than..
Topics: Increasing Sales
Enhancing your annual planning session with the combined strength of human and AI coaching
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
Only 50% of CEO departures are voluntary. This is not encouraging information to receive, especially for those of us who are already under..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, CEO Success
Have you ever wondered:
How do different personality types influence effective leadership?
Why do particular leadership styles click..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions
After recently reviewing thousands of Annual Plans and Quarterly Plans, I can say without a doubt that improving employee engagement seems..
Goal setting is a vital part of success, from the board room, the executive team, the team leader, and most importantly, the team member,..
Topics: Increasing Sales, Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Job Scorecards (or employee scorecards) have been a hot topic recently. Many companies are looking for a way. to provide more constant and..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
In today’s rapidly changing work environment, the competition for recruiting and retaining top talent has never been tougher. Rhythm..
In the journey to achieve exceptional leadership and business growth, Patrick Thean and Michael Praeger, in the upcoming book "The Journey..
What is a skip-level meeting?
As defined in an article by Jared Lewis, "In a skip-level meeting, upper-level management bypasses mid-level..
I hear this all the time: “Our Weekly Meetings are just routine report-outs about who’s doing what; they’re so tactical!” If this is your..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, High-Performance Solutions
I have facilitated countless two-day planning sessions for my clients. People ask me: “Patrick, do we really need to spend that much time..
If you’ve gone through the exercise of determining your company’s core values, you’ve spent a lot of time (and many meetings) thinking and..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
As executive team members of growing mid-market firms, you constantly seek ways to streamline operations, enhance strategic planning, and..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Talent management - or simply put, dealing with people problems - is one of the top challenges facing CEOs today. These issues can pop up..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions
Patrick Thean isn’t a boxer, but he loves to quote Mike Tyson in saying, “Everyone has a strategy until I punch them in the mouth.” Through..
Topics: Strategy Execution
We are coming into that time of year when many companies are gearing up or doing their annual planning to prepare for next year. In..
I have spent most of my life working in the manufacturing sector. My first experience began as a young boy in my Grandmother’s sewing..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
As the world rapidly evolves, business leaders must stay ahead of the curve and plan for success in uncertain times. After all, companies..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
It’s a fact in today’s business world that meetings typically take up a large part of your day. In fact, some days are spent running from..
Topics: Effective Meetings
I love what I do for a living. I meet the most incredible people who are building amazing companies. Most recently, I shared this..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
As I was scrolling through my social media feeds this week, I noticed a trend that more tech companies are announcing a permanent move to..
Topics: Effective Meetings
It is that time again. I am working with my clients to help create quarterly execution plans with their top Company quarterly rocks so they..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
One of the many things I get to do in my role here at Rhythm Systems is working with our CEO Patrick Thean to coordinate and run our..
Topics: Effective Meetings
I grew up in a manufacturing family. My grandmother had her own manufacturing company, and my father. was a partner in a local..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Planning for the future is essential for any organization to thrive and succeed. But with the ever-evolving business landscape, how can you..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Are your meetings the butt of work-related jokes? Why is it that we roll our eyes with disdain when our calendar is loaded with meetings,..
Think about one of your top A-Players. This is a person who not only performs well but also embodies your core values with their behavior...
Topics: Employee Health and Retention, High-Performance Solutions
It can be intimidating to sit down to a blank slate and begin working on your company’s first official KPI dashboard! Over the years, I’ve..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
Each KPI and Priority should have clearly defined success criteria. What is success? What is failure? Discuss, debate, and agree as a team.
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
Watch to learn how Rhythm Systems can provide you the tools and methods other successful technology companies use to stop fighting fires..
Topics: Webinars
A CEO has many responsibilities, and among the top is ensuring the company has a sound plan and budget going into each new year. Seasoned..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
I read an interesting article entitled "Leadership Lessons from the World’s Best CEOs" from McKinsey, which provides insights from the book..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Strategy execution refers to the process of implementing and operationalizing an organization's strategic plans. It involves translating..
Topics: Strategy Execution
Great companies live and die by their core values because core values drive behavior. Unfortunately, many companies define their core..
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a Artificial intelligence has been a buzzword for decades, but it's only become a reality in recent..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Effective Meetings, Accountable Leaders & Teams, Goal Planning
The Level 5 Leadership Stage is Set…
Have you ever had this "strange" feeling that you just couldn’t shake? I recently went through that...
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, Accountable Leaders & Teams
As a team leader, having clear visibility into what works well and needs improvement is crucial for guiding your team's performance. While..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Rhythm System Software
Team meetings are a vital component of any business. It's essential that the employees know and understand what’s going on with the company..
Topics: Effective Meetings
A common tool used in planning sessions is the SWOT analysis. The acronym SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
“Time is an inelastic resource. No matter how high the demand, we cannot rent, hire, or buy more of it.”-Peter Drucker
A Quick Note: This..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
If you love the flexibility of an unlimited canvas full of stickies but need some more discipline to achieve your goals, this new app is..
Topics: Goal Planning, Rhythm System Software
I have recently been involved in a few conversations with clients that are new to the Rockefeller Habits or to long-range planning. The..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
It is important to grow the top line of your business on an annual basis, but you also need to make sure the bottom line is healthy which..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
As a CEO, you want to know that everyone in your business is performing well, working on the right things, and staying engaged along the..
Topics: Employee Health and Retention, High-Performance Solutions
Over the last few years, we've been collecting data from our Rhythm community - including YPO members, entrepreneurs of the year, and..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, White Papers
When we overeat from the buffet of opportunities, we experience indigestion. The only way to avoid this is to learn how to say “no” to the..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, Employee Health and Retention
Payroll is not just a mere expense for businesses; it is a strategic investment that can drive growth and success. It serves as the..
Conservation efforts have become increasingly vital, as we face various environmental challenges. To make a meaningful impact,..
The question of how to grow an environment of accountability is a common one.
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
This time of year, businesses and individuals alike are setting aside time to think about the future and set goals. If you’ve done this in..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Goal Planning
Having the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on your CEO dashboard is very important to ensure you drive the right behaviors in your..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
You had a great annual planning session. You worked hard developing your 3-year strategic plan for revenue growth and profit (scaling up)..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
When I’m visiting Singapore, one of my favorite dishes to eat is called laksa. Laksa is a spicy curry dish. It’s so good, but it burns!..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Are you a business coach or consultant looking to supercharge your practice and expand your earning potential? Are you looking for a..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Are you a new or existing business coach looking for new ways to attract clients? The Rhythm Coaching Network will supercharge your..
Topics: Webinars
As we embark on a new year, the business leadership landscape continues to evolve rapidly. 2024 presents unique challenges and..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, Employee Health and Retention
Because Rhythm strategy execution software acts as a framework for pulling together into one single system many improvement initiatives and..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
Are you struggling to find a system that helps you effectively plan and execute your business strategies? Look no further. The Rhythm..
Building an effective leadership dream team is crucial for middle-market executives who want to achieve their dreams and goals in the..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, Employee Health and Retention
How can you ensure the successful execution of your goals and objectives? The key lies in using leading indicators and dashboards to..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
One of the things I have to do as a business consultant is to be a great listener. This is a key leadership and communication skill for..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
How much did misalignment cost your organization last year? Misalignment results from poor planning and poor execution, which in turn..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, Accountable Leaders & Teams
I have to admit that I am a data geek. I do know that I have a unique personality type and most people aren’t interested in digging deep..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, KPIs & Dashboards, Effective Meetings
What Are Objectives And Key Results (OKRs)?
Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) are a goal-setting framework used to set measurable..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, OKRs, Employee Health and Retention
As we say goodbye to 2023, I can't help but marvel at the incredible journey we've had at Rhythm Systems. The past year has been a..
Topics: Rhythm System Software
What is a High-Performance Culture?
Creating and maintaining a high-performance culture is the goal of many mid-market CEOs that work with..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, High-Performance Solutions
At Rhythm, we have a Core Value called “Family Is a Blessing.” We celebrate this core value by giving our team members two weeks off at the..
Topics: Rhythm System Software
Are you struggling with executing your plans and achieving your goals? Do you often find yourself falling short of your expectations? The..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
You’ve done all the research. You’ve compiled a spreadsheet full of requirements, Googled until your eyes crossed, talked to sales reps,..
Topics: Strategy Execution
Gain critical insights into strategic planning and execution with this webinar. Ideal for executives and business leaders, it offers..
Topics: Webinars
In Chapter 6 of Rhythm: How to Achieve Breakthrough Execution and Accelerate Growth, New York Times bestselling author Patrick Thean dives..
Grundens’ Growth Dilemma
As the leader of a growth firm, you have likely seen how a fast-growing company can outpace its people. Our client..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions
If you feel like your last annual planning session was not as great as it could have been, you may have been missing a key ingredient: the..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
In the perpetual whirlwind of daily life, setting aside time for strategic planning often takes a backseat. However, annual planning stands..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
As a middle market CEO, you're constantly navigating a business landscape that's both dynamic and challenging. In this environment,..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, Effective Meetings
Companies need more time, talent, and resources. To fuel winning moves, you must shift focus and investment away from less promising..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
In the ever-evolving landscape of commerce, achieving growth for your business demands a strategic and adaptive approach. Whether you're a..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
You’ve identified your critical strategic winning moves. How do you translate those into detailed, actionable plans across your..
In a recent Annual Planning session, one of our clients asked us to help them review and renew their Winning Moves, the 3-year strategic..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Hostopia’s Challenges
When I met Colin Campbell, he was the CEO of Hostopia. Hostopia was listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and from..
I recently spoke at The Channel Company’s Best of Breed Conference in Atlanta. I had the opportunity to listen to other speakers and learn..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
In a rapidly changing business landscape, CEOs of mid-market companies are facing numerous challenges, as highlighted by the winter 2023..
Our CEO, Patrick Thean, will be sharing the Think Plan Do® methodology to help set up your 2024 plan for success.
Topics: Webinars
I am still reflecting on what an inspiring experience Christine Rutherford and I had last week traveling to South Africa as part of a..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
In today's fast-paced business world, staying ahead of the competition and achieving your strategic goals requires effective planning,..
Topics: Strategy Execution
As your team gears up for Annual Planning, it’s essential for teams to engage in effective brainstorming together. Good brainstorming..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
Performance management is an essential part of any successful business. It helps to ensure that employees meet their goals and expectations..
Leadership 101 tells us that we must set clear and specific goals for ourselves and our teams to achieve business goals and objectives. In..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
You’ve identified a potential winning move. Before fully launching and investing significant resources, how do you methodically assess its..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
In Chapter 2 of Rhythm: How to Achieve Breakthrough Execution and Accelerate Growth, author Patrick Thean dives deeper into “winning moves”..
An empowered business development team is essential for companies looking to accelerate growth. But simply telling the group to "drive..
Topics: OKRs
Hitting the Ceiling of Complexity
Strong performance habits are a game-changer. Allow me to share a case study from one of our clients:..
Topics: High-Performance Solutions
Growth doesn’t happen by accident. To achieve sustainable, profitable growth, organizations must become disciplined at working “on” the..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Anyone who has ever participated in a strategic planning session knows it’s a lot of hard work. You have to prepare well, have tough..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
From Overwork to Focus
My longtime friend Colin Campbell, an experienced and successful CEO, found himself living the movie Groundhog Day...
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Learn how to successfully commit to a planning cadence and rhythm of work to make your annual plan your weapon of success.
Topics: Webinars
Learn how to simplify performance management to track the right KPIs, provide goal clarity and engage and retain top talent.
Topics: Webinars
Learn why building a peak-performing company can accelerate your growth and the necessary performance habits to get there.
Topics: Webinars
Learn how CEOs can leverage AI to create actionable annual plans, SMART goals within seconds and provide their organization with a 24/7..
Topics: Webinars
In the dynamic world of IT staffing, achieving exponential growth is no small feat. Signature Consultants, a respected IT staffing firm,..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Effective leadership is the cornerstone of a thriving workplace. When employees feel valued, heard, and supported by their managers, they..
As Chris Cosper detailed in a previous post, we have the ability to record 3 types of metrics in our Rhythm cloud based strategy platform:
Unleashing Staffing Success: A Comprehensive Guide to Key Performance Indicators with Rhythm Systems
In the ever-evolving landscape of the staffing industry, mastering the art of measuring and leveraging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
Talent shortages are more than a buzzword; they're a business reality that CEOs can't afford to ignore. The lack of skilled professionals..
It’s that time again – back-to-school, pumpkin everything, football, and Annual Planning season! You and your team are about to invest so..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
What should you do if you cannot seem to come up with enough sales opportunities to hit the revenue target for next year? This scenario..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
In the intricate web of modern business, where teams are spread far and wide, and daily tasks can seem like isolated islands, the need for..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Rhythm System Software
In the dynamic world of business, setting goals or objectives and key results (OKRs) is an essential strategy for achieving growth and..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, OKRs
Navigating the complex and dynamic business environment requires middle-market CEOs to have a robust and adaptable strategic playbook. This..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Are you feeling overwhelmed by how your team is measuring success? Are you looking for an easy-to-understand way to set targets and..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Go the Second Mile, OKRs
Rhythms Matter
Leadership gurus all agree: establishing the right regular rhythms for your company is key. At Rhythm Systems, we believe..
Topics: Strategy Execution
What is Strategy Execution? Mastering Strategy Execution with a Proven Playbook for Business Success
Strategy execution is carrying out a planned strategy, which involves creating and implementing strategic objectives. It is implementing a..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Many people are turning to artificial intelligence tools to get the job done regarding content writing. One such tool is ChatGPT, a..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
Is a 2024 recession on the horizon?
A recession is "a significant decline in economic activity reflected by a decline in aggregate demand,..
The common mistake many companies make is to start creating a bunch of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for their company. They begin..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
Marketing and advertising agencies operate in a dynamic and competitive landscape, where creativity and innovation are essential for..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Excited. Ready. Anxious. Eager. Let’s go!
Worried. Tired. Stressed. Done. Overwhelmed.
At the end of a meeting, we usually recommend..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
As your company grows, chaos increases, processes break down, and execution becomes a lot harder. Poor execution leads to missed..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions
In every organization, there comes a time when the team dynamics seem to lose their spark. The team might feel stuck, stymied, or stale...
Most companies do budgeting first and then strategy and annual planning. Think about this. If you have created a budget, you have..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
In our two decades of observing patterns of success and failure in companies across various industries, I've noticed a stark reality. Fewer..
Topics: Strategy Execution
As new leaders, we often navigate the complexities of team management and relationship building. One of the most crucial skills in this..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, Employee Health and Retention
Achieving aggressive year-over-year growth and consistently doubling revenue for a mature firm may seem daunting. However, with the right..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
I’m a Mac guy. So, on the Rhythm team, we are all Mac users. If I hire you and you try to walk through the door with a PC, you will not be..
At Rhythm, our secret to successful implementation is helping companies implement performance habits. With good performance habits, people..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions
In the fast-paced and competitive world of business, having a clear and focused strategy is crucial for success. However, developing and..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Rhythm System Software
Leadership OKRs are a reliable way to connect workers to the company's mission and shared vision. Through this structure, managers can set..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Go the Second Mile, OKRs
At Rhythm Systems, we have been helping companies build strategic execution plans for the last 20 years. We've learned a lot in that time,..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings
If you're an entrepreneur seeking funding for your business, you've probably heard this before: investors don't fund 'ideas.' It's a..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, CEOs
If you’re a hiring manager at your organization, chances are you have had a couple of new hires that haven’t worked out the way you hoped,..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Have you ever wondered how to measure your business objectives' success accurately? How can AI help you set better Objectives and Key..
Customer success guru John DiJulius says that using the phrase “my pleasure” “elevates the professionalism of your employees’ terminology.”..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Go the Second Mile, Recruiting Employees
Leaders frequently ask me about how to build a performance culture focused on personal accountability, employee engagement, and results...
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
Businesses must balance demands, juggle multiple tasks, and make tough decisions to succeed. However, without the right strategies and..
Topics: High-Performance Solutions
I was going through some materials and came across a file that one of my good friends and mentors had given me in a training session a..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Company Profile: Arbill, an ISO-certified organization, is a leader in the safety industry, committed to keeping workplaces safe across..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Accountable Leaders & Teams, Rhythm System Software
How often do you attend meetings where nothing gets accomplished? If you're looking for ways to improve meeting effectiveness, then look..
Topics: Effective Meetings
What is Organizational Peak Performance in Business?
Organizations strive for excellence to achieve their highest possible performance. It..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, Employee Health and Retention
The Sales team is one of my favorite teams to coach through the Rhythm Cascade process. Having been part of a large sales organization..
Whew….you’ve done it. You and your team just completed a major project and are celebrating! The group did a good job making adjustments and..
Topics: Effective Meetings
In the dynamic world of business, growth is a double-edged sword. While it brings opportunities and prosperity, it also introduces..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Effective Meetings, OKRs, Rhythm System Software
It’s fairly understood that great leaders don’t lead processes; they lead people. You’re probably aware, too, that great bosses have truly..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Have you ever wondered how to measure your business objectives' success accurately? How can AI help you set better Objectives and Key..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, OKRs, High-Performance Solutions, Rhythm System Software
Are you looking for ways to improve your organization's performance? Power habits are the answer. Power habits are small, consistent..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Recruiting Employees
In this blog article, we will dive into the essential aspects of rhythm systems, a successful strategy for execution, and how it can unlock..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions, Rhythm System Software
CEOs are busy people. They spend most of their time working hard to run their companies effectively. Objectives and Key Results, or OKRs,..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, OKRs, CEOs
“A good plan executed right now is far better than a perfect plan next week.” - George S. Patton
Patton had it right. An executive pattern..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, Accountable Leaders & Teams
In today's fast-paced business world, high-performance culture is essential to success. Every organization, regardless of its size or..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, Accountable Leaders & Teams, Recruiting Employees
Just as mountain climbers rely on the expertise of their Sherpas and their advanced equipment to navigate and conquer the most..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, High-Performance Solutions, CEOs
Master a Company Culture To Engage Your Employees To Their Peak Performance.
The Key to Creating Peak Performance at Work
The key to..
Topics: Increasing Sales, Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Go the Second Mile
In today's fast-paced business world, meetings are essential to corporate life. However, not all meetings are effective, and several..
Written by Cindy Praeger and Eskinder Assefa
A fairly significant body of research now clearly shows that the reason why a number of..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
A new quarter is starting. It is time to discuss, prioritize and choose your top priorities for the new quarter. How do you do this? How do..
At Rhythm Systems, we specialize in helping middle market companies achieve their dreams and goals. We believe that we can make a big..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
In working with middle-market CEOs and their employees and they often wonder about their employee productivity and professional..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
In working with hundreds of mid-market CEOs as a consultant at Rhythm Systems, I often get asked about KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Effective Meetings, OKRs
Julie Copeland came to us with a dream: She did not want her company, Arbill, to be just a safety products company. She wanted to seriously..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
For companies that commence their fiscal year in July, the annual strategic planning process takes on a unique significance. It sets the..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
OKRs are an essential part of any successful organization. They help align everyone around common goals and objectives. But what exactly..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Go the Second Mile, OKRs
I’ve just finished reading John Doerr’s book, Measure What Matters: OKRs - The Simple Idea that Drives 10x Growth, and it is full of really..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
If you haven’t already held your planning session for the coming quarter, consider this your friendly nudge to get it scheduled as soon as..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
In today's ever-changing business landscape, having a long-term goal for your organization is crucial. Creating a clear vision of where..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Accountable Leaders & Teams
There is a lot of pressure on executive teams to perform well. Not only do they need to achieve their own goals, but they also need to..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, Go the Second Mile
How many leaders think about themselves as corporate athletes? How many of us spend time sharpening our saw, as Stephen Covey taught? How..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
A goal properly set is halfway reached, as famously said by Zig Ziglar. Setting goals is indeed crucial for achieving success and avoiding..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution, Goal Planning, OKRs
In the business world, a pressure test is a rigorous evaluation process designed to assess a company's resilience, adaptability, and..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
When it comes to selecting the right software for your company's performance management and goal-setting needs, the choice between Rhythm..
Topics: Rhythm System Software
As we’ve witnessed over the past year, the economy can shift rapidly and unexpectedly. In these times of economic uncertainty, many..
When you consider email, collaboration tools, project management apps, online meeting tools, file storage, and productivity tools like..
Topics: Rhythm System Software
We all have goals, but achieving them can be daunting. It is common knowledge that most goals fail because of a lack of consistency and..
A Grammarly Harris Poll released in 2022 suggested that US businesses lose $1.2 trillion annually due to poor communications. Yes, you read..
We all have A-Players we do not want to lose. At the 1995 Worldwide Developers Conference, Steve Jobs shared a realization about his own..
Topics: Employee Health and Retention, High-Performance Solutions
We've all been there. We're part of a huge work project involving team members and departments from all over the company. The stakes are..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, High-Performance Solutions, Rhythm System Software
We have more tools for communication than ever before, yet somehow we can be left feeling more disconnected than ever. Powerful technology..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Recruiting Employees
I first met Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys, the popular brand of premium breakfast foods, at EY’s Entrepreneurial Winning Women..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
If you are a Mastering the Rockefeller Habits fan, here are four tips to make your One-Page Strategic Plan work for you. Used correctly, it..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
We've all been there. We're part of a huge project at work that involves team members and departments from all over the company. The stakes..
Topics: Increasing Sales, Strategies for Growth, Go the Second Mile
Think back to the fall when most of you created your plans and goals for the year. There was so much uncertainty about whether the economy..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
Rhythm Systems’ Inaugural Client Awards at the Breakthrough Conference!
On April 26,we hosted the first Rhythm Systems Breakthrough Client..
We just wrapped up an energizing two days with our Rhythm community here in Charlotte for our 7th Annual Rhythm Systems Breakthrough..
Many successful mid-market companies have cracked the hiring code. Perhaps you use a hiring method like Topgrading to ensure that you bring..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
I'm Ted Skinner, a consultant with Rhythm Systems, and I'd like to share an insightful experience from a coaching engagement with a middle..
In today's world, having a successful and efficiently managed business is more crucial than ever. With the ever-changing landscape of our..
Topics: Effective Meetings, Go the Second Mile, Recruiting Employees, High-Performance Solutions
It may still feel like the middle of winter to some, but you might find that it is time to do some spring-cleaning when it comes to your..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
How do you know when it’s time to make an adjustment? You’ve got your quarterly plan, and it just doesn’t seem to be going, well, according..
Topics: Strategy Execution
Some of you are probably getting tired of all the new, shiny AI announcements coming out left and right in recent months. This announcement..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Go the Second Mile, High-Performance Solutions, Rhythm System Software
Having confidence in your ability to achieve your goals is hard. We survey our contacts. regularly on how confident they feel about..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, OKRs
Rhythm Systems is a business coaching and consulting firm with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations of all sizes create..
The body has four main vital signs that doctors use all around the world to determine the condition of a patient. The four vital signs are..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
Business is moving faster than ever before, and these days your business needs to be as nimble possible to respond to the rapidly changing..
It’s time to slow down and develop a world-class team execution plan for next year. When we don’t slow down to plan our execution, our..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, Accountable Leaders & Teams
Are you a part of an executive team looking to increase team performance while developing better alignment and engagement? The Peak..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Go the Second Mile
Over the holidays, I flew with my kids for the first time in a few years. Honestly, I was really nervous about the whole thing. Hearing all..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, OKRs
I recently re-read the classic HBR article "Building Your Company's Vision" by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras. Their great examples..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
As a hiring manager, if you've experienced bad hires in the past, you know how expensive these can be.
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Most companies these days are actively striving to engage more employees… and most think of engagement as a willingness to go above and..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
With this quarterly planning season coming to a close, I've discussed hundreds of priorities in the last few weeks with clients - you are a..
Are you attending a business conference in Charlotte, NC, like the Rhythm Systems Breakthrough Execution Conference? If so, you're in luck!..
What is Scrum, and why do I care? Scrum is a term that has moved from the discussion in the server rooms and development area of..
Topics: Strategy Execution
Imagine this - over a year ago, I raised my hand after our company's Annual Planning session and volunteered to help with a significant..
Topics: Strategy Execution
Welcome to Charlotte, North Carolina! Whether you’re here for business or pleasure, you’ll find plenty of delicious restaurants to keep..
I have been helping companies develop their strategies for growth and profitability for over twenty years. As with many consultants, I..
Topics: Strategy Execution
I get asked this question lately "How hard should I push employees to return to the office?" "Is this work-from-home thing going to last?..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Go the Second Mile, Recruiting Employees
Every quarter, my team and I complete a Start-Stop-Continue (or start-stop-keep) exercise to get us thinking. It's a valuable process that..
As a training and on-boarding expert at Rhythm Systems, I know a lot about KPIs. Recently, I’ve also learned a lot about OKRs. Many of my..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, OKRs
It is easy to confuse your strategy and your 3-year strategic plan. I have seen so many leaders tell me that they have a great strategy...
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, Strategy Execution
The recent Oscar nomination of the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once has brought a lot of attention to exploring different..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
I previously wrote a blog titled21 Production KPI Examples to Improve Manufacturing Performance, and many people were interested in..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
As a general rule, CEOs need easy access to a few key performance indicators—they need a CEO KPI dashboard that allows them, at a glance,..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
Organizational performance is an essential aspect of any business. Being a growing business is great for attracting and keeping talented..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, Accountable Leaders & Teams
Peak performance refers to the highest level of performance that an individual or organization can achieve in a particular task or..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, OKRs
I have made it a priority to be a lifelong learner which aligns well with one of our company’s core values of “Keep Smart.” As an employee,..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
5 Benefits of Attending a Strategy Execution Conference
Rhythm Systems is getting ready to host its 2023 annual breakthrough execution..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
At Rhythm Systems, we work with clients to ensure they are measuring the metrics that matter to allow them to achieve their dreams and..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
I hear time and time again from people that their meetings are a complete waste of time. In fact, they can often be a huge productivity..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings
Rhythm Systems is proud to announce the release of its newest white paper, "The Unbeatable Return on Payroll of Engaged Employees," written..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Accountability can be a scary word. For many, it sounds punitive - and that’s because most of us associate “accountability” with..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Topgrading is a methodology of recruiting, interviewing, selecting and retaining top talent developed by Brad Smart and Geoff Smart..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
As a write, I am on my way to Chicago to meet with my forum group. A forum is a small group, usually 8 to 12 like-minded CEOs and..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Shortly after my son, Jack, was diagnosed with autism at age two, I set thebig, hairy, audacious goal (BHAG Examples) that he will..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Often, people think of OKRs as a tool for tech companies. This is not surprising since the goal-setting method was developed and first used..
Topics: OKRs, Non Profits
CEOs and business leaders spend a lot of time and energy working to hunt down important data and make the right decisions to grow the..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
By now, most of us are familiar with Verne Harnish’s book, Mastering
the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do To Increase the Value of..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
It may seem daunting to tackle your Strategic Annual Planning session for 2022. With so much uncertainty due to the ongoing pandemic, it..
Meetings. Most executives spend their days in a haze, bouncing from meeting to conference call to another meeting - back to back to back...
Topics: Effective Meetings
This happens all the time. You are holding someone accountable to get something done. Yet you find yourself checking in and chasing for an..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Weekly Team Meetings…we’ve all got them. Conventional business wisdom has proclaimed since the beginning of time that the weekly staff..
Topics: Effective Meetings
Often, founders and CEOs of small businesses get their hands dirty and engage in many aspects of the daily running of the business. They..
According to Gallup, only about half of
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
For many companies, the idea of the monthly leadership meeting can feel like a burden in an already overly scheduled calendar. Why is this..
Research shows that our economy is largely being driven by middle-market firms, especially those in the service industries. Key Performance..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
Most Companies Fail Due to Poor Strategic Execution
As a fan of Blue Ocean strategy, you already know how important it is to have the right..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution, Mergers & Acquisitions
A while ago, I listened to a podcast where Brené Brown, Simon Sinek, and Adam Grant debated whether the recent phenomenon of "quiet..
When I was in college, one of my professors pulled me aside after class and said, “You have great ideas, but when you present them to the..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, Accountable Leaders & Teams
As we head into 2022, now is the perfect time to step back and take a hard look at your team's meeting rhythms. Much like your junk drawer..
Topics: Effective Meetings
If you have ever downloaded any tools or other resources on our site, you know that we usually ask you about your Biggest Business..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Goal setting is both a skill and an art. Whether you are new to the goal-setting game, or a seasoned pro, there is always room for..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Accountable Leaders & Teams, OKRs
At this time of year, when so many around me are being intentional with their gratitude, I am inspired to slow down and contemplate for..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Go the Second Mile
As some teams head back into the office, many are facing a unique challenge for the first time - running a meeting where some team members..
Topics: Effective Meetings
With the emphasis on core subjects in budget crunched public schools, art programs are being asked to pack their paint brushes and go...
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
It’s that time of year to create a winning plan for next year. To create an annual plan, you will be reviewing last year’s successes and..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, Accountable Leaders & Teams
For many team leaders, HR professionals and individual contributors, the performance review process is one of the most dreaded exercises..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Effective Meetings, Accountable Leaders & Teams
You have probably heard the old saying, what gets measured, gets improved. Very much an old engineering phrase from back in the day, but as..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Employee Health and Retention, Recruiting Employees
Turn your existing 3-5 year strategic plan into a Rhythm Systems Winning Move. A Winning Move is an idea or project that will help you..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, KPIs & Dashboards
Every team is focused on setting their Annual Priorities & Budget for the next year at this time of year. It's an incredible commitment of..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Effective Meetings
I know, I know; you've heard it all before! These are the top things to do to retain and attract talent and increase employee engagement in..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Effective Meetings, Go the Second Mile
As a team leader, you own the key results for your team, meaning that you will probably have a handful of KPIs on your list (2-3) that are..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
Two key concepts in manufacturing that often get misconstrued or even used synonymously are manufacturing productivity and manufacturing ..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
When you work with so many CEOs, you get to see how they approach problems. They may not always tell you everything, but they will share..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings
With 16+ years of expertise connecting long-term strategy to daily execution, Rhythm has proven to be the world’s leading platform for goal..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
As the summer comes to an end and fall looms with more uncertainty, it can be tempting to sit back and see what comes next—but if you..
Active listening skills are more critical than ever, especially as we head into the annual planning season. When we pause to think ..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, Effective Meetings
Companies are under pressure to deliver better performance at lower costs in today's competitive environment. This requires leaders to..
Got your crystal ball ready for your annual planning session?
No? Hmm… Since you can't confidently see into the future (yet!), you need a..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
Effective listening is a key attribute for leaders (and for people in general). If you are a manager, this skill can help you unlock the..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
This time of year, leaves are turning, kids are in school, and many business leaders are spending a great deal of time, energy, and..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
One of the best practices we recommend to all of our clients is rotating facilitation duties for your team’s weekly meeting. There are a..
Topics: Effective Meetings
The world has changed dramatically over the past decade. Businesses have become increasingly globalized, competition has intensified, and..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Effective Meetings
No matter what business your company is in, it's a safe bet to assume that you'll need to be able to adapt to the changing conditions..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
CEOs spend their days working long hours, managing employees, and dealing with shareholders. They don’t have much time to focus on their..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams, CEOs
You've done it! You and your team have finished a significant project and are ready to celebrate. Your team did a great job adjusting to..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings
What does it take to become a successful new middle market C.E.O.?
Topics: Increasing Sales, Annual & Quarterly Planning, Accountable Leaders & Teams
In any industrial company, there are business goals to hit, KPIs to measure and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to complete. In..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, OKRs
As the dust settles on the Annual Planning season, many mid-market CEOs now face the challenge of achieving and maintaining alignment with..
You can make an argument that your company’s annual planning meeting is the most important thing you do all year. It is where you have your..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
Many companies have strong Annual Plans but fail to execute on them and miss their targets year after year. They know that they are missing..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
Many unknowable things can happen between now and the beginning of 2023. One thing we do know is that when next year hits, you will need to..
Use the SMART Goals Framework
The SMART goals framework helps you set realistic goals that are measurable, attainable, relevant, specific,..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, Effective Meetings, CEOs
We recently held our 6th annual Breakthrough Conference, although it was our first ever virtual conference, and I want to share a few ideas..
Take a look at your calendar. If you’re like most executives, you’re booked up with meetings weeks in advance. As we all know, meetings can..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings
I have written previously about the importance of Identifying your core customer because I have seen far too many companies waste their..
Topics: Increasing Sales, Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
I recently read Dr. Steve Sjuggerud’s investment newsletter where he stated:
“It made me feel a bit like Tom Brady in the playoffs..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Over the past couple of years, many work environments have often felt like a real-life game of Would You Rather - but with no great..
In his popular book Atomic Habits, James Clear wisely asserts that we don't rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
At Rhythm Systems, our CEO, Patrick Thean, is fond of the saying, "The fish rots from the head down." When you consider your team's..
We all know the feeling… sitting through an hour-long meeting that could have very well just been an email. Nobody likes wasting their..
Topics: Effective Meetings
"People come to work with the best intentions to give it their best and work on the right things. If we don't plan effectively together,..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, CEOs
You know what? Weekly team meetings suck. There, I said it. I know many of you were thinking it, but I went ahead and put it out there...
Topics: Effective Meetings
The best companies are already starting their Annual Strategic Planning process for 2023. They're engaging in pre-planning activities like
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
As a leader, you probably know that it is important to recognize your team members. However, research shows that there is a disconnect in..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
With so much uncertainty and many experts warning we are on the cusp of an economic downturn or possible recession, you may be looking to..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
If you have ever downloaded any tools or other resources on our site, you know that we usually ask you about your Biggest Business..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
Using OKRs, or Objectives and Key Results has become more and more popular as a goal-setting framework. And, it's no surprise! It's an..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
At Rhythm Systems, we believe that having a strong Think Plan Do Rhythm is essential to growing your business with purpose. And, we think..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
How does culture play a role in team performance? What makes some teams perform better than others? Is it possible to create a..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, Accountable Leaders & Teams
Industries are changing rapidly, workplaces are in flux and the future feels uncertain. Taking a more agile approach to strategic planning..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
On my flights to see clients, I always pick up a business magazine to read. It’s something that can spur an insight when I face a..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
If you have ever downloaded any tools or other resources on our site, you know that we usually ask you about your Biggest Business..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
According to Gallup, “in their search for new ideas and approaches, organizations could be overlooking one of the most easily executed..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
In order to live our Core Value to Keep Smart, our team does company-wide training each year (in addition to the department-specific..
We are so thrilled to be gathering our Rhythm Community in person in our home headquarters of Charlotte, NC, this May for our annual ..
Topics: Go the Second Mile
One of the top 10 moments of my life was thePredictable Resultsbook launch party at our Breakthrough Conference last October. To sweeten..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
For any growing business, ensuring that you have the processes in place to “scale up” your business is very important. Here at Rhythm..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings
If you are like many of our clients, you may be considering adjusting travel plans for your team in the midst of the concern surrounding..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
In a study by McKinsey & Company, management development at all levels has been ranked as a #1 priority by 500 executives, and..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Sounds like a simple concept: Alignment. What makes this so hard to achieve? The fact is, if you are hiring the right people, you will have..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, Effective Meetings
At Rhythm Systems, we are so excited to be hosting our annual Breakthrough Conference right here in our hometown! From the beautiful..
How Well are Referrals Working for Your Business?
We have all heard the old saying, "You have to give to get." This principle remains valid..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
We are thrilled to host our Annual Breakthrough Conference once again in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte is Rhythm Systems' home base, and we want..
Topics: Increasing Sales, Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, Accountable Leaders & Teams, Mergers & Acquisitions
The foundation of a successful Daily Huddle Meeting, Team Huddle Meeting or Weekly Meeting is a great facilitator to keep the weekly..
Topics: Effective Meetings
I really enjoy learning during client interactions. When I’m working onsite in planning sessions, coaching executives 1-to-1, or working..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
Your business is experiencing strong growth – now what? Double-digit growth brings with it a host of new challenges, particularly how to..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
In our fast-moving world of innovation and disruption, some leaders may wonder if it is no longer beneficial to hone core competencies over..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
The trouble with accountability is that, well, you have to live it. Patrick Lencioni writes; “Once we achieve clarity and buy-in, it is..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
What is process implementation and what does it mean to me? As companies grow, the need to establish and effective implementation processes..
Topics: Strategy Execution
In a former job, I had a manager who called all of his direct reports together to tell us some exciting news! We were embarking on a big..
It is very common to develop a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) for your business. What is not so common is to develop a BHAG for your..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
In a recent client conversation, a CEO said to me, “He’s really (really) smart, but it’s just hard to hold him accountable. On top of that,..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
For more than 20 years, I have had the joy and privilege of working closely with mid-market growth companies. Through these experiences,..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Books
At Rhythm Systems, I have had the opportunity to work on several exciting cross-functional projects to help our company move forward. I’ve..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
When it comes to goal setting, there are two extremes that come up over and over again. Some companies tend to err on the side of..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Annual & Quarterly Planning, Effective Meetings, Goal Planning
It sounds so simple. But, I was just discussing scaling up meeting rhythms with one of my colleagues, and she told me that it took her last..
So, how’s your huddle? I’ve written about huddles before and honestly believe they can be a breakthrough component in building..
While we may not know exactly what's coming in 2022, it's safe to say at this point that hybrid work is certainly here to stay. While it..
If you are a CEO or founder, you’ve likely gotten where you are today because of your ideas - you are probably passionate about your..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Recently, our digital marketing team sat down and talked about our annual plan. Marketing departments have many campaigns they focus on..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
I recently prepared for an annual planning session with a client and one thing the client wanted to work on was their Big Hairy Audacious..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
When things aren’t going right and your business is in a slump, most people look to new ideas, adjust their KPIs (key performance indicators
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Your Brand Promise is the commitment to your customers that really matters to them and differentiates you from your competition. It is one..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Integrating acquisitions, launching new products, deploying new company-wide systems or processes, shifting your organizational structure,..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, Accountable Leaders & Teams
Implementing a new methodology for your team that requires people to be more focused, aligned and accountable doesn't always have everyone..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
The greatest athletes and business leaders in the world have coaches. No matter how good you are, and you are probably really good. There..
Driving new sales revenue is a common theme that comes up with the clients I work with. In fact, I can’t think of many companies that have..
Topics: Increasing Sales, KPIs & Dashboards
Planning Sessions are exciting - the possibilities are endless, the team is optimistic and ready to conquer the world! You spend countless..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Managing the daily, weekly, and monthly workload is a challenge for team members and leaders alike, but in very different ways. Teams have..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
We read a lot these days about strategic leadership and tactical leadership (as we should). Leaders find themselves up against a multitude...
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
“I can’t wait to get out of this meeting to get my real work done!”
“I’m in back to back meetings. I won’t get anything done today!"
Sound..
Topics: Effective Meetings
If you read our blog often, you know that we frequently recommend using a Job Scorecard (often called an employee scorecard)- we find this..
As we begin 2022, there are a lot of questions we just can't answer. We'll continue to experience uncertainty about the ongoing impact of..
History is the ultimate reality TV show; it's getting a first-hand view of people's bad decisions, conflicts, trials, and successes. We can..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Blog written by Cindy Praeger & Guest Blogger, Eskinder Assefa
Topics: Strategies for Growth
If you had told our team of expert facilitators this time last year that they would be doing 90% of their strategic facilitation work..
The struggle is real. We’ve all been in meetings about our metrics that produce seemingly endless discussion about the numbers, with no..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Effective Meetings
I am a big fan of Jim Collins and have used his book “Good to Great” as a business tool for many years. I was recently introduced to the..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, Accountable Leaders & Teams
Managing a remote team is challenging, even in the best of times. In our current environment, it is really tough to keep the team engaged,..
Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes - some big improvements for your business can be born from small, incremental changes that empower..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Many of us believe in a false dichotomy about negotiations: either you have to be really tough, or you’re a pushover. Recently, our Rhythm..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Whether you are an executive team member, a department leader, or a member of the team, the role you play in the company is unique and..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
It's undeniable the new season has arrived—everything's in bloom, days are getting longer and warmer, and it's time for spring cleaning,..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
As in the past many years, I entered 2020 with a full schedule of strategy and execution planning work with my clients. Then the pandemic..
If the idea of coming up with a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal (BHAG) for your business seems a bit overwhelming, that's okay. After all, it is..
Blog written by Guest Blogger, Eskinder Assefa
One of the toughest challenges CEOs face is finding effective ways to align teams and keep..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
I recently spoke to a great group of organizational leaders at the Rhythm Systems Breakthrough Conference in Charlotte, NC. The session was
Most clients I’ve worked with say they understand the key role accountability plays in making a company operate more efficiently (and..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Strategy without Tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without Strategy is the noise before the defeat.- Sun Tzu
Do you ever..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Do you spend more money on going away parties when someone leaves the company than you do welcome parties when someone joins? This was a..
I recently had the opportunity to create content for Rhythm University, our knowledge center that is full of tools, tips, videos and lots..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Most of us just don’t like to have hard accountability conversations. Conversations in which you need someone to hear you can be tough for..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
"How do I become a highly effective manager? To answer that question, let’s climb out of the crevices of the 'day to day' so we can see..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
I was in Jakarta speaking at Taipan 2013. We had the strongest showing at Taipan ever with 220 people! CEOs with their teams worked hard on..
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Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
In your next weekly team meeting, take a moment to look around. What are you seeing? Are your team members engaged—are they looking at each..
Topics: Effective Meetings
You just completed an acquisition in business, time to celebrate and break out the champagne. For some companies, acquiring businesses is..
Topics: Mergers & Acquisitions
A key piece of your long-term strategy is your 10-25 year visionary stretch goal, what Jim Collins calls your Big Hairy Audacious Goal..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
“Remember that failure is greatness waiting to happen” - Robin Sharma
Even though I know that we all make mistakes, I still hate making..
"The leader of the past was a person who knew how to tell. The leader of the future will be a person who knows how to ask.” - Peter Drucker
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Establishing the right meeting rhythm with your executive team is key. Many executives spend the majority of their days in one meeting or..
Topics: Effective Meetings
When strong emotions, high stakes and opposing opinions collide, it can be explosive and, potentially damaging to results or a..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
When things aren’t going right and business is in a slump, most people look to new ideas, adjust their KPIs (key performance indicators) or..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
For many, it's time to roll out those 2021 plans and kick off some new initiatives to help your company build back or accelerate growth in..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution, Accountable Leaders & Teams
In my last blog, “Lack of Accountability is Costing You,” I reviewed the expense that accompanies the lack of accountability. As I noted at..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
We’ve known for a while that an increase in remote work was coming, and the pandemic has accelerated this trend. Many workers are eager to..
This has been a banner year for new podcasts! It seems like there's a new one launched every week. I suspect people who found themselves..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Learn as much as you can to energize yourself and bring your best to the business!
I am a big fan of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates (even..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
In our ever-changing world, one thing we can count on is disruption; there are no shortages of problems to solve, opportunities to chase..
Topics: Strategy Execution
To give your business an edge against the competition in 2019, you might be considering some ways to level yourself up in the process...
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
The holidays are just around the corner and everyone is hustling to wrap things up before some well deserved time off. Did your team have..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
Once you have done the hard work to determine the right BHAG Big Hairy Audacious Goal for your company over the next 10-25 years, now you..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Creating Company, Group, and Individual priorities is a key success factor (a leading indicator KPI) to achieving both your short-term and..
Sometimes companies talk about "eating their own dog food" or "drinking their own champagne," meaning they use their own product or..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
The feedback surveys are still rolling in, but I can say without a doubt that our first virtual conference was a success! Our amazing..
Topics: Effective Meetings
There are two main reasons that entrepreneurs fail to grow their business and maintain a healthy personal life. Dr. Ollie Malone, author of
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Strategy Execution Software can be tricky - it needs to be easy enough for anyone to pick up and use, but powerful enough to get the job..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
Businesses looking to implement goal-setting best practices are often drowning in a sea of acronyms that can be hard to navigate. What’s..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, OKRs
Remote workers and companies are becoming more popular these days. In a recent survey, Gallup reported 37% of workers said they worked..
Topics: Effective Meetings
Looking back at the most recent quarter turnover from Q3 to Q4, I realize that I introduced 14 new cascade teams to the power of Rhythm!..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning
If your company has hired anyone over the last year, chances are you've had to do at least some of that new hire's onboarding and training..
Think about the last meeting you facilitated... was there a slide deck involved? If so, chances are you (or your admin) spent quite a bit..
With the rise in popularity of hybrid and remote work, staggered schedules or just the increased demand on your team's time, it feels..
Since the release of Patrick Thean's book Rhythm, it has been so exciting to speak with people who are implementing Rhythm in all types and..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
Spreadsheets are a powerful tool and very inexpensive. Compared to most software, they seem nearly free. That's why most businesses use a..
Topics: Strategy Execution
Holding people accountable can be a chore for most leaders building an accountability culture. For a multitude of reasons, it’s simply not..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
As a member of your company’s executive team, you have a lot on your plate. And, particularly in middle market companies, C-suite..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Often, companies work many hours on discovering the right Core Values for their company. Sometimes they even spend top dollar on..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
For many, our current environment is more distracting than any other time in our work lives. With a pandemic raging, a U.S. election..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
In my career, I've been in some pretty dismal meetings—ones where I struggled to keep my eyes open, ones where I watched the clock in..
Topics: Effective Meetings
Many leaders and team members have found the stay-at-home orders draining—and prolonged weeks of this inherently stressful situation can..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Written by Meredith Wood, Editor-in-Chief of Fundera
As the CEO, you’ve either started and cultivated your own company, or worked hard to..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
I recently blogged that being a great coach requires that you know which hat you’re wearing the very moment you engage with a team member...
The "new normal" is here... and for many companies, it involves hybrid work in which some team members work remotely at least part of the..
Topics: Strategy Execution, Effective Meetings, Accountable Leaders & Teams
We are excited to announce the launch of Rhythm version 5! This is our best version of the Rhythm platform ever. It is a refinement of 15..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution
As an Executive Coach, it’s my job to know you in terms of your leadership strengths and your leadership skills. Both are imperative to..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Someone asked me recently to explain what business coaching is, and I realized there’s not one simple answer. It means different things to..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Accountable Leaders & Teams
I have helped many companies identify and leverage their core competencies through the years, and doing this can really make a difference..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Getting and staying aligned with your team is a challenge even when you are all in the same office. When everyone is remote or working from..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
With the pandemic disrupting expectations for projects and revenue goals for many this year, it's no surprise that a major focus for this..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
When companies are small, it’s not such a challenge to get things done. Maybe you have a meeting (where the whole company attends), you..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution
Your company is not alone if there are gaps in your business strategy. I have worked with third generation companies that just never took..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
If you want your team to be focused and aligned on the right projects, you need to connect your strategy to execution.
Successful companies..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
There are never enough hours in the day. I can't seem to keep up with it all. I'm constantly fighting fires and don't have time to focus..
Many companies are figuring out how to do more with less as a result of the pandemic and ensuing economic hardships. Some are relying more..
Topics: Annual & Quarterly Planning, Accountable Leaders & Teams
Many people wonder and worry about whether or not they are doing a good job and if their boss is happy with their work. It is one of the..
The famous mountain climber Phil Powers, said it best during an interview on NPR’s "This I Believe” Segment: “Concentrating on how I move..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
Rhythm is one of those tools that works best when everyone uses it, and most new clients worry about system adoption. We've all been..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards, Strategy Execution, Accountable Leaders & Teams
Sometimes, you just have to slow down to speed up.
Communication Leads to Better Connectivity and Team Accountability
Communication is a..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
A little peek behind the proverbial curtain for you: I have a digital notebook (I use Evernote) where I capture blog ideas as they come to..
If you have ever downloaded any tools or other resources on our site, you know that we usually ask you about your Biggest Business..
Topics: Accountable Leaders & Teams
With life returning to normal for many people, lots of us will be traveling or taking much needed vacation time this summer. Whether..
Topics: Strategies for Growth, Strategy Execution, Goal Planning
Have you ever been particularly busy with work—maybe leading up to a big event or project deadline—and tell yourself, "OK, things will..
Take this quick quiz to determine if you are ready to engage with an executive coach and take your game to the next level. An executive..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Recent research conducted confirms that podcasts are getting more and more popular, with 26% of people in the US listening at least every..
Topics: Strategies for Growth
Those of you using the Rhythm tool to track and discuss your KPIs weekly have probably seen the Projected, Actual and Variance fields on..
Topics: KPIs & Dashboards
