Leader 2030 - The 5 Traps of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the Balanced Scorecard (I)

The Executive Study Group (ESG) webinar named “Leader 2030 - The 5 Traps of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) (I)” was held by Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy Limited (APIFS) on 19^th Aug 2026. The part 1 webinar aims to discuss objectives and traps of KPIs.

In the beginning, Dr. Mark Lee mentioned three objectives of KPIs apart from financial measures and they are to capture intangible values not recognized by standard accounting rules, provide early insights into business progress before final financial results are determined, and offer actionable information to achieve strategic goals.

Then he raised a case about non-financial measure of startup and discussed its’ pitfalls.

And then Dr. Lee explained the disappointing reality that there was a lack of causal relationship between key performance indicators and financial returns.

In the part I of this webinar, 2 out of 5 traps were discussed. The first trap named “Not Linking to Strategy”. Trap One occurs when non-financial measures are not properly aligned with an organization's unique strategic objectives, leading to difficulties in selecting the right metrics, ineffective resource allocation, and the risk of blindly benchmarking against competitors.

The second trap named “Not Validating the Links”. Trap Two involves failing to empirically validate the presumed links between non-financial measures and financial outcomes, resulting in tracking too many metrics, an inability to distinguish signal from noise, and suboptimal resource allocation.

Let’s look forward to the second part of the Leader 2030 webinar.

Reference:

Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy Limited (亞太策略研究所有限公司) – www.apifs.org

ESG facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/esg08

Leader 2030 - Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders - https://www.apifs.org/Leader2030-en

Leader 2030 series:

20250307: Leader 2030 Webinar – Lean Startup: Quick Innovation Strategy - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/03/leader-2030-webinar-lean-startup-quick.html

20250319: Leader 2030 Webinar – How Are AI Projects Different from Traditional IT Projects - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/03/leader-2030-webinar-how-are-ai-projects.html

20250422: Leader 2030 Webinar – The Secret for Successful Strategy Execution - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/04/leader-2030-webinar-secret-for.html

20250502: Leader 2030 Webinar – The Secret for Successful Strategy Execution (II) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/05/leader-2030-webinar-secret-for.html

20250515: Leader 2030 -Negotiation Strategy to Lead Changes - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/05/leader-2030-negotiation-strategy-to.html

20250806: Leader 2030-Innovation Strategy-How to Increase Customer Satisfaction and Reduce Costs Simultaneously - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/08/leader-2030-innovation-strategy-how-to.html

20250915: Leader 2030 -How to Turn Customer Loyalty to High Profits - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/09/leader-2030-how-to-turn-customer.html

20251023: Leader 2030 Webinar – Motivational Strategy - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/10/leader-2030-motivational-strategy.html

20251107: Leader 2030 Webinar – Motivational Strategy (II) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/11/leader-2030-webinar-motivational.html

20251125: Leader 2030 – The Success Secrets of Japan Richest Man from UNIQLO - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/11/leader-2030-success-secrets-of-japan.html

20260430: Leader 2030 - Entering the AI Era: How to Effectively Change the Old Mindsets of Your People - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2026/04/leader-2030-entering-ai-era-how-to.html

20260519: Leader 2030 - Managing Profit-Shifting Forces - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2026/05/leader-2030-managing-profit-shifting.html

Previous talks summary:

https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/search/label/Executive%20Study%20Group

I Ching Classmates' Relaxation Trip to Guangzhou

Minda and I joined I Ching classmate’s relaxation trip to Guangzhou from 14^th to 16^th Aug 2026. We arrived to Skyline Plaza Hotel (天一酒店) in evening in Guangzhou.

Although the hotel is rather old, the rooms are very nice and the price is very reasonable. Transportation is very convenient. (~HK$740 two nights)

We met our classmate in the restaurant named “Zhu Zai Ji” (朱仔記).

We started the dinner.

(Left: Michelle, Keith, Eva and Kenny, Kinsen, I and Minda)

The food was good, but the fish was too big, and we hadn't ordered it. (笋壳鱼) (Soon Hock)

After dinner, we visited TaiGuGang Wharf (太古倉碼頭).

We walked around the wharf area.

Now all the docks have been transformed into different types of restaurants and bars.

Later it started raining heavily, so we went to a bar for drinks.

Minda and I ordered different drinks.

We took a group photo inside the bar.

20260815: Day 1

We had a traditional breakfast at Jianji Rice Noodle Roll Shop (健記腸粉店(廣州)) which is near the hotel.

In afternoon, we had lunch in Guangzhou restaurant.

The food was delicious and unique.

After lunch, we visited “Cantonese Cuisine Museum” (粵菜博物館) which was inside in the restaurant.

History of Cantonese Cuisine and some old tableware were showed.

Then, Minda and I went to the hospital to visit my Third Aunt's husband (三姨丈). 

He fell and caused back pain. We took him for an NMR scan.

After that we went to his bed. He seems to be in good spirits.

And then we went to Yong Qing Fang (永慶坊) for tea.

Very relax!

The scenery outside is beautiful.

Minda and I took a photo in Liwan District (荔灣區).

Then we went to karaoke and had dinner.

We took photos in front of the Hong Kong night view decorations.

Big karaoke room and good facilities.

We had a lot of fun singing it.

This is a very special cocktail. (24 glasses in total, three different flavors, only RMB$168!)

202608016: Day 2

We had breakfast in the same shop again.

While shopping, I saw a very interesting men's birthday cake.

In afternoon, we went to Guangzhou Dongyuan Restaurant (東園) for lunch.

After the food was served, we took a group photo.

The dim sum is very unique and special. The fish we missed on the first night is now being made up for. 

After lunch, we went to the Shamian Island (沙面島).

We visited different shops in here.

And then had a tea in Room 8.

The restaurant's decor is very Western.

We come back to Shenzhen and visited the Eye of Shenzhen.

It is in Gangxia North Station (崗廈北站). This station had ~20 exists!

We were very lucky to have a room for dinner in Fengtian Xiaoguan (奉天小館). Thanks for Kenny’s son Felix and daughter Dion arrangement.

Very good food!

And White Wine!

The shopping center is beautifully decorated at night. Our leisure trip came to an end, and we all returned to Hong Kong.

Reference:

彭泓基教授 - https://www.master-insight.com/author/penghongji/

屈機TV (屈基論) - https://www.youtube.com/@wgtvhk/playlists