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

 The Executive Study Group (ESG) webinar named “Leader 2030 - The 5 Traps of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) (II)” was held by Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy Limited (APIFS) on 1^st Sep 2026. The part 2 webinar aims to discuss traps of KPIs and strategy maps. In the beginning, Dr. Mark Lee reviewed previous two KPI traps and they are “Not Linking to Strategy” and “Not Validating the Links”.

Then he introduced the trap three named “Not Setting the Right Performance Targets”. Sometimes, the individual performance targets were contradiction and not benefited to the overall financial performance.

For example, short-term focus results may be damage but it improved long-term financial target.

The fourth trap named “Validity and Reliability”. Measuring indicators should be correct and representative.

The fifth trap entitled “Sticking to Your Numbers Too Long”. Based on company status and development, KPIs should be changed. The challenge is performance assessment systems evolved behind the business development.

Finally, Dr. Mark Lee introduced the strategy maps and briefed the “Fundamentals of a Strategy”.

Four levels to link KPIs to Strategy based on BSC are Financial, Customer, Internal Process and Learning & Growth Perspectives. It demonstrated the link of cause-and effect chain, as well as, visual framework provided.

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

20260819: Leader 2030 - The 5 Traps of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the Balanced Scorecard (I) - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2026/08/leader-2030-5-traps-of-key-performance.html

Previous talks summary:

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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:

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Leader 2030 - Managing Profit-Shifting Forces

 The Executive Study Group (ESG) webinar named “Leader 2030 - Managing Profit-Shifting Forces” was held by Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy Limited (APIFS) on 19^th May 2026. The webinar aims to discuss how to manage profit-shifting forces based on Prof. Michael Porter strategy. The content included to understand industry profitability drivers and consider buyer, supplier, new entrant, competitor and substitute.

In the beginning, Dr. Mark Lee mentioned the profit formula that profit equal to revenue minus cost. He said we don’t discuss the revenue and cost but another factor could enhance the profit!

Then Dr. Lee quoted Prof. Michael Porter foundation strategy and focused on finding right position in the industry.

He reviewed average return on invested capital (ROIC) in US industries from 1992 to 2006 and found that the ROIC range was from 7% to 25%. 

After that we surveyed our idea which industries have low or high ROIC. It demonstrated that not higher technology product had higher ROIC. 

And then he used Southwest Airlines as case study and showed its unique position in focusing to the price- and convenience-sensitive travelers.

Based on the profit-shifting analysis compared with American Airlines, Southwest Airlines removed Buyer expense and reduced Terminal fee in Supplier expense.

Finally, Dr. Mark Lee demonstrated the Southwest Airlines had higher ROIC and he concluded that positioning is one of key factors to manage profit-shifting force.

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

Previous talks summary:

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

Leader 2030 - Entering the AI Era: How to Effectively Change the Old Mindsets of Your People

The Executive Study Group (ESG) webinar named “Entering the AI Era: How to Effectively Change the Old Mindsets of Your People” was held by Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy Limited (APIFS) on 30^th April 2026. The webinar aims to discuss four strategies to overcome the challenges of changing mindsets through persuasion. 

In the beginning, Dr. Mark Lee mentioned the existing practice to change people’s mindsets. The logical approach from strongly state position to outline the supporting arguments and then to enter the deal-making stage. He quoted Prof. Jay A. Conger (Marshall School of Business) that the best persuaders not only listen to other but also incorporate their perspectives into a shared solution.”

Then he introduced four strategic steps of presentation for mindset change including 1) Establish Credibility, 2) Frame for Common Ground, 3) Use Vivid Language and Compelling Evidence, and 4) Connect Emotionally.  Dr. Lee used a case of a large retail bank to explain how to establish of credibility in two dimensions (i.e. expertise and relationship).

Dr. Mark Lee then cited a case study of how a pilot program changed the mindset of McDonald's franchisees, building credibility and frame for common ground for a shared win-win strategy. He quoted Prof. Jay A. Conger statement that “In some situations, no shared advantages are readily apparent. In these cases, effective persuaders adjust their positions.

After that he then used the Mary Kay cosmetics company as an example to illustrate how to use vivid language and compelling evidence to change people's mindset. One example was: the Roman Empire did not exist, but Christianity did. She encouraged salesperson to attend weekly meeting. Prof. Jay A. Conger said “Numbers do not make an emotional impact, but stories and vivid language do.”

The fourth strategy is to build emotional connections. Effective persuaders visit key figures who have a keen insight into the emotions and expectations of those they are trying to persuade.

Finally, Dr. Mark Lee concluded that persuasion is not about convincing or coercing, but about learning and negotiating.

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

ESG AI related:

20260318: ESG Webinar – AI-Age Leadership Strategy – The NAHQ Model - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2026/03/esg-webinar-ai-age-leadership-strategy.html

20251107: ESG Webinar – AI Prompt Tips - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/11/esg-webinar-ai-prompt-tips.html

20250908: ESG Webinar – AI Strategy for Workplace - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/09/esg-webinar-ai-strategy-for-workplace.html

20250806: ESG Webinar – AI Strategy by GenAI Risk Slope - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/08/esg-webinar-ai-strategy-by-genai-risk.html

20250625: ESG Webinar – Future-Proof Your Career: Strategies to Stay Irreplaceable in the Age of AI - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2025/06/esg-webinar-future-proof-your-career.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

Leader 2030 series:

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

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

Previous talks summary:

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

Leader 2030 – The Success Secrets of Japan Richest Man from UNIQLO

The Executive Study Group (ESG) webinar named “Leader 2030 - The Success Secrets of Japan Richest Man from UNIQLO” was held by Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy Limited (APIFS) on 25^th Nov 2025. Firstly, Dr. Mark Lee briefed the topics including “Company Profile”, “Sales & Marketing Strategy”, “Operation & People Strategy”, “Strategic Value Chain Analysis”, “Global Strategy” and “Group Discussion”.

Then Dr. Mark Lee reviewed ranking of worldwide apparel specialty stores and UNIQLO (Fast Retailing) was ranked number 4 in 2010. Its market share less than ZARA, H&M and Cap but the growth rate was the number one.

The goal of UNIQLO in 2009 was 5 trillion yen by 2020. It got the highest profitability in gross margin (upto 50%).

It had high inventory turnover that double than the industry norm.

UNIQLO boss visited Giordano in Hong Kong in 1986 and got insights from Giordano on virtual value chain strategy. In 2010, UNIQLO had much higher sale than Giordano.

One interested story about UNIQLO trade name in Hong Kong come from mis-spelling by its Hong Kong partner. (Remark Uni-Cloth (UNICLO) typed to UNIQLO.)

Then Dr. Mark Lee quoted Prof. Michael Porter that a strategic position is not sustainable unless there are trade-offs with other positions. UNIQLO employed value-for-money strategy.

The second one was “Hot-Item Driven-Sales Strategy” that which means that a best-selling product (e.g. Fleece) drives the sales of other non-best-selling products.

Finally, Dr. Lee shared their failure cases of SPOQLO and FAMIQLO due to unclear positioning.

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

Previous talks summary:

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