The Business Problem:

Unsteady Execution and Uncertain Progress

When Church Hill Classics began their Rhythm journey, they were no strangers to strategic planning. They were accustomed to setting annual goals and breaking these down into six-month stretches, but execution was inconsistent. “A lot of work was done in the beginning on planning those goals,” shared Caroline Corbett, Church Hill’s Talent and Development Manager at the time. “And a lot of work was done at the very end of the six months on completing those goals.”

With no system for tracking progress of their key initiatives, it was difficult to see which goals were on track for success and which goals risked not meeting completion by the due date. This led to a scramble of activity late in the second quarter to push projects over the finish line.  

Departments didn’t always feel connected to a common purpose, either. They operated in silos, focusing on their own projects without much visibility into the long-term strategic impact of their work.

How Rhythm Helped:

Connecting Plans for a Common Purpose 

Rhythm coaches encouraged Church Hill to take a more holistic approach to planning. After establishing high-level company goals, they needed to cascade the plan downward. In this way, departments would be able to set goals that directly supported company initiatives, weaving the company together as an aligned, cohesive organization. 

Bite-Size Goals for Better Achievement 

Rhythm also helped Church Hill break down their goals into even smaller, more digestible pieces. By setting quarter priorities and tasks (milestones and to-do list items), what needed to be done became more specific and achievable. Each week, the Church Hill team reviewed these shorter-term goals and tasks, statusing their projects on a forecast to communicate whether they were on track or encountering issues. This method allowed them to maintain a steady pace of execution and correct problems as early as possible. 

The Results:

Making Strategy a Reality While Empowering Employees 

Following this rhythm of execution, Church Hill accomplished their goals quarter after quarter. These successes added up to annual achievements, which brought the company closer to their ultimate vision.

Employees also benefited from being able to track their projects and successes in Rhythm. “One thing Rhythm has brought to the organization is the ability to see the outcome of what [employees] are doing,” said Caroline. “At the end of the quarter, they know that they’re successful.”

During their partnership with Rhythm, Church Hill:  

• Aligned all departments on common organizational goals 
• Created actionable quarterly plans that supported their strategic vision
• Empowered employees to track their own performance data