Measure What Matters

320 pages, 2018

John Doerr

Takeaways

Description

Legendary venture capitalist John Doerr reveals how Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), a system he learned from Intel and Google, has helped tech giants from Intel to Google achieve explosive growth—and how it can help any organization thrive. In the fall of 1999, John Doerr met with the founders of a start-up to whom he gave $12. 5 million, the biggest investment of his career.

Larry Page and Sergey Brin had amazing technology, entrepreneurial energy, and sky-high ambitions, but no real business plan. For Google to change the world (or even to survive), Page and Brin had to learn how to make tough choices on priorities while keeping their team on track.

They'd have to know when to pull the plug on losing propositions, with OKRs they could measure what mattered. Doerr taught them about a proven approach to operating excellence: Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), a system he learned from Intel and Google.

The Power of OKRs

In Measure What Matters, John Doerr introduces us to the concept of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). These are a set of goals and measurable steps to achieve them. They help to align and engage teams around measurable goals, fostering a sense of purpose and achievement.

The Importance of Transparency

Doerr emphasizes the importance of transparency in achieving goals. By making OKRs public within the organization, everyone knows what's expected of them and how their work contributes to the overall objectives. This creates a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Focus and Commitment

The book encourages us to focus on what truly matters. It's not about ticking off a long list of tasks, but about committing to a few key objectives that will make a real difference. This approach helps to prioritize work and avoid distractions.

The Value of Regular Check-ins

Doerr suggests that regular check-ins are crucial for tracking progress and making necessary adjustments. This allows teams to stay on track, celebrate successes, learn from failures, and continuously improve.

The Role of Leadership

In Measure What Matters, we see that leadership plays a key role in implementing OKRs. Leaders need to set clear expectations, provide support, and foster a culture that values goal-setting and measurement. This helps to drive performance and innovation.

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John Doerr has taught a generation of entrepreneurs and philanthropists that execution is everything. 'Measure What Matters' shows how any organization or team can aim high, move fast, and excel.

Bill Gates - Microsoft Co-founder

John Doerr has been the source of management magic for many of the iconic companies of recent times. 'Measure What Matters' takes you behind the scenes to reveal how they achieved their spectacular results.

Larry Page - Google Co-founder

I'd recommend John Doerr's 'Measure What Matters' to anyone interested in becoming a better manager. I've seen firsthand how OKRs can empower organizations to achieve their most audacious goals.

Sheryl Sandberg - Facebook COO

In this indispensable book, the most important venture capitalist of our era reveals a key to business innovation and success. This crisp and engaging book is a must-read for anyone who cares about management, leadership, innovation, or high performance.

Jim Collins - Management Guru

'Measure What Matters' deserves to become a management classic. Doerr makes Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) accessible to leaders everywhere. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to build, lead, or work on a high-performing team.