What’s ahead for 2022? We share our top predictions

After the last two years, we can all agree that ‘predicting the future’ is an impossible feat. Still, we can benefit from looking at the business landscape around us and highlighting what trends are going to have the biggest impact in the months to come.

Two of our team members at StrategyBlocks have shared their vision for what will rise to the top in 2022. Do you agree? Share what you’re most looking forward to over the next year in the comments below!

Craig Catley, Managing Director

Rapid innovation will take center stage as organizations work to keep up with the demands of the market.

50 years ago, innovation within a company was fairly linear – a new product or idea would germinate within the R&D teams or perhaps from the executive team, then filter over to the marketing department to help message it and finally to the sales department to help distribute it to customers. By contrast, innovation happens everywhere today and ideas are quickly shaped by interactions that take place between departments, between employees and even between outside influences. This evolution has helped organizations to see the value in involving everyone in strategy creation, also known as ideation, which can accelerate innovation and empower subject matter experts across the company. In 2022, we’ll see this trend continue and company’s to be more forthcoming about how innovation touches every level of their organization.

Companies will further lean into 360º transparency.

One trend we’ve seen taking place for several years now is how organizations are recognizing the value in being more transparent. Whether in how the company supports employees or manages its supply chain, or how it navigates standards related to ESG or DEIB. Businesses have also recognized the need to publish their strategic vision on their website, as an effort to maintain accountability and better involve all interested parties and stakeholders in a strategic direction. However, an out-of-date static document can do more harm than good. In 2022, we’ll see a greater push to share controlled aspects of a company’s live strategic plan with stakeholders — everyone from staff, to the board, customers, partners and investors — in a more engaging way and with real time data. Read more about why this trend will prove critical in building a strong company culture. 

Companies will improve on their ability for strategic adaptation.

We continue to live in turbulent times and we don’t see an end to that any time soon, if ever. This has forced organizations to shift their ideals around what it means to be strategic. Now, true strategy is the ability to adapt quickly without bowing to pressure to be needlessly reactive. It’s a delicate dance, to be sure. Smart strategic adaptation means you can pivot and are willing to experiment and learn along the way. It requires a different understanding and approach to strategy planning, changes further outlined here. In 2022, we’ll see more examples of companies who have pivoted successfully and those who may make fatal missteps. Those who come out on top will be the companies who recognize that for adaptation to occur dynamically, it must be part of the corporate fabric. Plan for the year ahead to be constantly experimenting, testing, learning, and executing. 

Simon Lawrence, Director, EMEA Operations

Businesses will continue to improve and implement their COVID recovery plans.

While 2021 didn’t face quite the lockdown crisis that 2020 did, there was still great uncertainty into how to bring employees back to the office. As offices have begun to reopen, we’ve seen companies of all sizes wrestle with the question of how to bring team members back safely and what flexibility should be baked into the plan. In 2022, we’ll continue to see ongoing restructuring and recovery for companies, but also a push for better employee engagement and  accountability during at home work. Companies will also need to have in place contingency plans that allow the flexibility employees need and will demand. We’ll also see a great emphasis in how to continue to brainstorm, innovate, plan and act even when teams are remote.

Strategy methodologies will fall back on the tried and true.

While there are numerous methodology approaches to how to measure and executive against your company’s strategy, we’ve seen an uptick in preference for long-standing methodologies that continue to offer value. In 2022, we’ll see an increasing number of people who choose to work with the Objectives, Goals, Strategies and Measures (OGSM) standard, as a way of linking traditional KPIs with activities. You can read more about this valuable approach here.

Ongoing government requirements and new standards will have a powerful influence.

As data becomes mission critical for all organizations, increasingly we are seeing more government oversight around the world for how companies report and manage their information and share their strategic vision, such as new requirements laid out in the UK. We expect to see this continue into 2022, with companies scrambling to meet new standards and ensure compliance. StrategyBlocks is here to help ensure your organization has what it needs, when it needs, to meet the requirements of the agencies you report to. Contact us today and let us help you make sure your strategic planning and reporting are compliant.

Without question, 2022 will prove an exciting year with plenty of opportunities to grow and improve your business. At StrategyBlocks, we’re excited for a year of innovation and progress and look forward to sharing the journey with you. 

Thank you to all our loyal customers and we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and the happiest New Year.