SBP025: OKRs (Objective Key Results) the Key to Performance Management? Part 1 of 2
Roger Knocker • January 25, 2024
SBP025: OKRs (Objective Key Results) the Key to Performance Management? Part 1 of 2
In this of the $mart Business Performance Podcast, Roger talks with Alina Miertoiu.
Alina is the OKR Product Manager and a Senior Management Consultant at The KPI Institute. She has a professional background in business research, process improvement and management consulting, being involved in international strategy and performance-related projects for clients from various industries, including IT, utilities, healthcare, venture capital, financial services and manufacturing.
Starting with the basics about OKRs, they end up giving some powerful tips and tricks on how you can use OKRs to boost your business.
Tune in now and make sure to take away the notes with you!
[02:20] What are OKRs?
[05:31] A practical approach towards OKRs
[12:50] Who uses OKRs?
[17:35] Traditional KPIs v/s OKRs
[21:51] Stop working in silos!
[27:27] The essence of OKRs
[31:31] Whole episode in a minute!
Connect with Alina Miertoiu:
On LinkedIn Email her at alina.miertoiu@kpiinstitute.com https://kpiinstitute.org/
Where can we find out more information?
OKR whitepaper written by Alina Miertoiu from the KPI Institute
If you enjoyed this episode of the Smart Business Performance Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to our podcast.
Alina is the OKR Product Manager and a Senior Management Consultant at The KPI Institute. She has a professional background in business research, process improvement and management consulting, being involved in international strategy and performance-related projects for clients from various industries, including IT, utilities, healthcare, venture capital, financial services and manufacturing.
Starting with the basics about OKRs, they end up giving some powerful tips and tricks on how you can use OKRs to boost your business.
Tune in now and make sure to take away the notes with you!
Conversation Highlights:
[02:20] What are OKRs?
- OKRs is a goal-setting framework for defining and tracking objectives and their outcomes.
- Is there really need for another framework?
- The benefits of OKRs
- OKRs value purpose over performance.
[05:31] A practical approach towards OKRs
- Objective v/s Key Result
- An aspect of a good key result is to focus on outcomes rather than measuring the things in between.
- Do statistics matter?
- The frequency of reviewing the progress is a key element for a successful business.
- OKRs provide you with flexibility which is not possible in traditional frameworks.
[12:50] Who uses OKRs?
- OKRs have been around since the 70s!
- How OKRs played a crucial role in Google’s success?
- OKRs are more suited for a very innovative and fast-changing environment.
- How can OKRs work in your context?
- Creating a hybrid system towards success
- OKRs work better in a structured organisation.
[17:35] Traditional KPIs v/s OKRs
- The key difference is the execution of the framework.
- ‘This is what I want to achieve, how are you going to do that?’
- OKRs monitors how value is created rather than monitoring the numbers.
- Split your goal into short objectives.
- OKRs help you do things in a better way.
[21:51] Stop working in silos!
- How collaborations can lead you to success?
- The beauty of OKRs
- What about smart goals?
- Theoretically, you should achieve 70% from your OKRs.
- How to practically approach perfection?
[27:27] The essence of OKRs
- An example of how OKRs can put you closer to success
[31:31] Whole episode in a minute!
- OKRs are an agile and innovative way of managing performance.
- They are probably the best way to fast track and implement changes in your organisation.
- OKR require people to stretch their minds and vision.
- They require tracking on a much more frequent basis and are part of a team effort.
- OKRs are something that drives cultural changes as well.
Connect with Alina Miertoiu:
On LinkedIn Email her at alina.miertoiu@kpiinstitute.com https://kpiinstitute.org/
Where can we find out more information?
OKR whitepaper written by Alina Miertoiu from the KPI Institute
If you enjoyed this episode of the Smart Business Performance Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to our podcast.
Discover how finance teams can move beyond reporting to lead strategy—turning data into direction and driving better, faster business decisions.
When did finance become the department of “no”? “No, we can’t spend that.” “No, that’s not in the budget.” “No, that’s not how we do it.” Here’s the truth: If finance is just a gatekeeper, it’s failing the business. Finance Isn’t Just About Numbers Andrew Brown put it bluntly on the FP&AI Podcast: “Finance should be leading conversations about the future, not just reporting the past.” Think about it— What’s the point of a month-end pack that no one reads? What’s the point of perfectly reconciled accounts if they don’t change the way decisions are made? Finance isn’t just about accuracy. It’s about impact . The Business Partner Mindset T he best finance professionals think like entrepreneurs. They ask: Where are we really making money? What assumptions are broken? How do we change the levers to hit our goals? They don’t just report results. They interpret them. They walk into the room with a story, a strategy, and a plan. What Johan Taught Us Remember Johan, the volunteer deacon who turned financial updates into action? He wasn’t trying to impress anyone with accounting jargon. He used a worm chart and a waterfall chart to tell a simple story: Are we on track with donations? If not, where are we falling behind—and why? It worked because it made the future clear. That’s what business partnering looks like. The Shift Every Finance Team Must Make B ookkeepers report. Business partners lead. The shift is subtle but powerful: From data-dumping to decision-driving. From hiding behind compliance to leading with insight. From “here are the numbers” to “here’s what they mean—and what to do next.” Your Move So, is your finance team stuck in bookkeeping mode? Or are you stepping up as a commercial conscience— the team that sees ahead and helps the business win? The mindset shift starts here: Stop asking “What happened?” Start asking “What’s next?” ________________________________________ This article is inspired by my conversation with Andrew Brown on the FP&AI Podcast – Episode 1: Finance as a True Business Partner – Beyond the Numbers.
