Step 9 - Implement SCALE and IDEAS

In the first edition of this book, we posited that a great MTP and four of the ten attributes from SCALE and IDEAS would enable you to achieve ExO status. Looking back, we are prepared to revise that claim, as it is now clear that you must be relentless about implementing MTP and all ten SCALE and IDEAS attributes where possible. Not least among the reasons for this is that if you’re not using the full complement of these tools, someone else is.

Let’s review the components of SCALE and IDEAS.

The trick, of course, is to find the right sequence of implementing the attributes, which has been covered in the attribute chapters in the section titled ‘Pre-requisites’ (e.g., don’t implement Autonomy without an MTP).

SmartGroup, a publicly listed HR benefits company in Australia, launched ten projects corresponding to the SCALE and IDEAS attributes. Every quarter, they relaunch ten new ones, so they’re constantly applying the ExO model. How have they done? Over a four-year period (Oct 2014 to Oct 2018), the company stock price increased 10x.