What separates organisations that talk about strategy from those that actually execute it? That’s the question at the heart of HRchat Podcast episode 863 with Rupert Morrison – economist, entrepreneur, and author of the new book Strategic Value Creation. Rupert is best known as the founder of OrgVue and his newest venture, Arahi, where he’s helping leadership teams rethink how value is created, measured, and sustained.
Our conversation unpacks why strategy so often derails inside organisations and what leaders can do to rebuild it as a living system rather than a glossy presentation or a list of ambitions.
Why Strategy Fails—And How to Fix It
Rupert argues that many organisations mistake goals, budgets, or project lists for strategy. Real strategy, he says, is a set of hard choices about where to play and how to win. It only matters if leaders can connect it directly to plans, KPIs, and boardroom decisions.
He shares a practical, accessible model:
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Define a few unique value factors that set your organisation apart.
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Map the capabilities—skills, processes, assets—that make that value possible.
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Capture the entire activity system on one page, not 80 slides.
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Use a plan-on-a-page to link strategy to today’s metrics, five-year targets, and the initiatives needed across customer, revenue, operations, finance, and people.
The result is a strategy that is visible, testable, and actionable—something teams can actually use rather than admire.
Building Defensible Advantage
We also dive into the question every board should ask: Is this strategy defensible? Rupert outlines how to assess true advantage, whether through network effects, brand strength, cornered resources, or process power. Without these, organisations end up working harder rather than smarter—and competitors catch up fast.
Why Board Packs Break
One of the most powerful parts of our discussion was Rupert’s take on board reporting. Many board packs, he says, are dense data dumps with no narrative spine. They obscure decisions instead of enabling them.
His recommended format flips that on its head:
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Start with highlights, lowlights, key issues, and clear recommendations.
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Then present the supporting data.
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Maintain a consistent cadence that ties directly back to strategic priorities.
This “view from the bridge” approach creates sharper meetings, better decisions, and far stronger alignment.
Lessons from Private Equity
Rupert also gives a behind-the-scenes look at portfolio reporting for private equity firms. It may sound like a different world, but the principles carry across: link reporting to the original investment thesis, track progress against the value-creation plan, and stay disciplined in reviewing what’s working and what’s not.
For HR leaders, this mindset offers valuable insight into how to quantify capability, measure impact, and demonstrate the value of people-related initiatives at an executive level.
A Conversation for Leaders Who Need Clarity
Whether you’re responsible for people strategy, operational performance, or organisational design, this episode offers a fresh, practical lens on how strategy is formed—and how it should be executed.
You can listen to the full conversation with Rupert Morrison on the HRchat Podcast wherever you get your shows. If strategy in your organisation feels fuzzy, scattered, or endlessly “in development,” this one is worth your time.