When defining company OKRs, they must reflect your overall strategy. OKRs are not just about setting goals, they are a framework for executing strategy by breaking it down into clear, operational objectives.
A common mistake among leadership teams is the belief that they need to completely revise their business plan every year. In reality, a well-structured strategy can span multiple years, often three, with annual reviews and refinements rather than complete overhauls. Engaging in an extensive strategy process every autumn can be counterproductive, leading to inefficiencies where operational initiatives suffer due to excessive planning.
Beyond aligning OKRs with strategy, they should also be adapted to the company’s industry and size. In a startup, OKRs tend to be highly specific and tactical, whereas in larger organizations, excessively detailed OKRs can result in only a small portion of the company actually working toward overarching goals. For company-level OKRs to have a real impact in larger businesses, there must be a balance between clarity and flexibility, allowing high-level objectives to be translated into meaningful targets at the team and individual levels.
How to Structure Your Company OKRs
We recommend setting Objectives on an annual basis while defining Key Results quarterly. This approach provides a clear direction while also ensuring execution by breaking down the strategy into smaller, more manageable components.
Quarterly Key Result evaluations are essential for maintaining momentum and a sense of urgency. By working in shorter cycles, you ensure that your strategy is continuously translated into concrete outcomes rather than remaining a theoretical concept.
As for the number of company-level OKRs, it’s best to limit yourself to a maximum of three Objectives at the company level. According to best practices, prioritization is key—focusing only on what truly drives success. For each Objective, you can define up to six Key Results, but it’s important to apply the principle of “less but better.” Not everything can be a priority. By concentrating on the most impactful goals, you ensure that your OKRs remain relevant and achievable.
Example of Company OKRs
🎯 Objective 1: Increase Growth and Revenue
To strengthen the company’s profitability and expansion, we focus on increasing recurring revenue and growing our customer base.
✅ Key Results:
- Increase MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue) from 1M SEK to 2M SEK by March 31, 2025.
- Grow the number of paying customers from 500 to 1,000 by March 31, 2025.
- Achieve a Net Revenue Retention (NRR) of 120% by the end of Q1 2025.
🎯 Objective 2: Improve Customer Experience and Engagement
Customer loyalty and satisfaction are crucial for reducing churn and ensuring long-term business success. By improving the user experience and strengthening customer relationships, we create a stable and growing customer base.
✅ Key Results:
- Increase NPS (Net Promoter Score) from 45 to 60 by March 31, 2025.
- Reduce churn rate from 5% to 3% per month from January to March 2025.
- Increase CSAT (Customer Satisfaction Score) to above 90% by March 31, 2025.
- Launch Feature X and test it with 10 customers by March 15, 2025.
- Generate 1M SEK in revenue from Feature X sales by March 31, 2025.
🎯 Objective 3: Build a Strong and High-Performing Company Culture
To build a successful company, we need a motivated and engaged workforce. By investing in employee development and fostering a positive workplace culture, we strengthen long-term business success.
✅ Key Results:
- Increase eNPS (Employee Net Promoter Score) from 50 to 70 by the measurement on March 31, 2025.
- Ensure that 90% of employees have an individual development plan by March 31, 2025.
- Achieve an 80% positive feedback score in internal leadership evaluations by the end of Q1 2025.
Conclusion about company OKRs
Working with company-level OKRs is a powerful method for ensuring strategic execution and clarity throughout your organization. By setting ambitious yet realistic Objectives and breaking them down into measurable, actionable Key Results, you establish a strong direction that drives long-term success.
By maintaining a structured approach, conducting quarterly evaluations, and focusing only on what truly impacts business performance, you can ensure that OKRs become a core part of your company’s operational model—rather than just a theoretical framework. 🚀