The Inside Scoop
Strategic planning is critical for growth, yet often pushed aside or treated as a formality. Many organizations rush through it, overlooking its potential to truly guide direction and inspire alignment. But how can leaders turn strategic planning from a checklist into a catalyst for real progress? The answer lies in intentionality and structure. Hoshin Kanri (HO-shin KAHN-ree) provides both by bridging long-term vision with short-term execution. It empowers leaders to define clear objectives, engage their teams in goal-setting, and create measurable pathways toward success. Rather than dictating strategy from the top down, this approach invites input from every level, ensuring alignment, ownership, and adaptability.
In this episode, Mark Reich, author of Managing On Purpose, talks about what strategic planning truly means and what makes it actually work. Mark shares how organizations can use the Hoshin Kanri (HO-shin KAHN-ree) methodology to align vision, strategy, and daily operations — creating clarity, accountability, and engagement at every level. It’s time to move beyond plans that sit on a shelf and embrace a living, breathing process that drives real outcomes, connects purpose to performance, and enhances collaboration.
Core Lessons From This Conversation
#1 Do an assessment of where you are and pull everybody in before you start planning.
#2 Hoshin Kanri (HO-shin KAHN-ree). You can start using the Hoshin Kanri methodology to build alignment and quality management in operations
#3 You need a structured system to help your employees connect their roles to the company’s big picture.
Episode Breakdown
[00:01] Intro and what to expect in today’s episode
[02:37] Mark’s background and what inspired him to write, Managing On Purpose.
[05:37] What Hoshin Kanri means and its purpose in strategic planning
[07:18] PDCA and Alignment: The key components of Hoshin Kanri
[11:28] How to apply PDCA in your strategic planning process
[17:42] Timing your “Planning” Phase within the PDCA cycle
[18:36] The “Do” phase and how to execute it in the organization
[22:35] Knowing when to adjust your strategic plan to market shifts
[23:45] Building a culture that encourages open communication and feedback
[28:20] Implementing the “Check” phase to evaluate progress
[31:31] How to transition from “Check” to “Adjust”
[35:17] Common barriers in implementing Hoshin Kanri
[39:22] Helping employees connect their work to the company’s goals
[41:42] Inside the Lean Enterprise: Mark’s Professional Journey
[46:07] Where to learn more about Mark and what he does
Your Go-To Resource List
Connect with Mark: mreich@lean.org
Website: Lean Enterprise Institute
Dig Deeper with These Resources
Book:
Does your organization struggle to achieve consistent business results? Do you set strategic goals but fail to see them translate into measurable outcomes? Are your teams disconnected from the execution of strategic priorities? If so, Managing on Purpose introduces the hoshin kanri (HO-shin KAHN-ree) methodology—a proven system for aligning strategy with execution, enabling sustainable results across the organization.
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