5 Reasons to Hire an OKR Consultancy (Backed by Research)

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FAQ + Expert Advice for Leaders Who Want to Get OKRs Right (Hint: Hire an OKR Consultancy)
Most OKRs fail not because the framework is flawed, but because they’re poorly implemented. If you’re rolling out OKRs or stuck in the “ritual” phase, a dedicated OKR consultancy can help you turn goals into real progress. Here’s 5 reasons to hire an OKR consultancy.

Why you might be here

You’ve heard about OKRs. You’ve seen the promises: better focus, sharper alignment, greater transparency. But somewhere between reading the book and running your first cycle, something’s gone sideways.

You’re not alone.

“Most OKRs fail due to poor implementation, not because the framework doesn’t work.” – Herkenrath, 2023

Even smart teams run into issues like:

Vague or misaligned objectives
Poor executive sponsorship
Lack of standardised rollout plans

To often we find that organisations are underestimating the scale of the change required, on paper it sounds easy and the CEO just read ‘Measure what Matters’ and has asked you to implement it quickly, likely with no discussion of budget or a Change Project being stood up. At this point what reason could you have to hire an OKR consultancy?

Reason 1: Most OKRs fail without expert help

OKR failure rates are high due to lack of structure and guidance. According to Herkenrath (2023), most failures happen because of:

Too often, OKRs are rolled out like a tool, not introduced as the change initiative they really are and that’s where things go wrong. Bringing in an external OKR consultant doesn’t just give you structure and rhythm; it adds weight to the call for change. When you’re trying to sway a skeptical CEO or gain buy-in from senior leaders, the right partner can make OKRs feel less like a buzzword and more like a business-critical shift.

Most executives I’ve worked with struggle to control the volume of work and time demands as it is without the challenge of a major change initiative like OKRs, one more reason to hire an OKR Consultancy to do the heavy lifting for you.

Reason 2: OKRs become empty rituals without support

OKRs promise focus and alignment, but without ongoing reinforcement, they quickly degrade into status updates and check-the-box exercises. It’s not just about setting goals. It’s about changing how the organisation thinks, prioritises, and measures success.

“Without the right setup, support, and internal capability, teams struggle to gain traction.” – Boston Consulting Group, 2024

According to research cited by Deloitte, companies that effectively set and track OKRs are 46% more likely to outperform competitors. But Gartner’s findings highlight why so many fall short: a failure to align individual and organisational goals, resistance to change, and poor transparency. When these issues go unaddressed, OKRs lose their meaning and become ritualistic, a meeting agenda item rather than a strategic driver.

Hire an OKR consultancy, and you can avoid that slide. They keep your teams anchored in outcomes, ensure leadership alignment, and establish the habits that turn OKRs into a living, breathing part of how you operate.

Reason 3: Structured coaching drives measurable results

Research shows that OKR coaching boosts performance. Coaching helps your teams:

Prioritise the right outcomes
Build confidence
Stay engaged

The OKR hub’s 1-2-1 Coaching walks your team through real implementation—not just theory.

Reason 4: Custom Training builds long-term capability

One-size-fits-all OKR training rarely delivers lasting impact. To embed OKRs in the way your teams think and work, you need more than a framework, you need contextual learning, role-specific guidance, and practical reinforcement. organisations that invested in custom OKR training, through e-learning, workshops, and structured reviews, saw marked improvements in execution, internal alignment, and strategic agility. In one example, business performance metrics improved dramatically, and a measurable shift toward a results-driven culture was achieved simply by building OKR capability across leadership and teams.

Custom training:

Matches your org structure and culture
Equips both leaders and teams
Makes OKRs sustainable over time

We have evolved our training since we delivered our first course, in 2018 at NatWest, to the highly interactive impactful training it is today. We have been fortunate enough to work with nearly 2,000 delegates who all had a hand in evolving the training so that it leaves capability and skills long after the Trainers have left.

Effective OKR training isn’t about teaching definitions it’s about building confidence to lead, align, and deliver. That’s why The OKR Hub’s programmes are tailored, hands-on, and grounded in the reality of your organisation.

Reason 5: The right partner helps you start where you are

OKRs rarely land perfectly on the first try. Many organisations begin with good intentions, setting goals, running a cycle, holding a review, but soon find themselves losing momentum, clarity, or buy-in. That’s not failure. That’s the signal for support.

Whether you’re rolling out OKRs for the first time, midway through a faltering implementation, or picking up the pieces of a previous attempt, the right OKR consultancy doesn’t ask you to start over. It helps you start better from where you are.

Reset after a failed cycle
Course-correct mid-rollout
Improve adoption and ownership

At The OKR Hub, we’ve supported startups looking to scale, large enterprises trying to reconnect strategy with delivery, and teams recovering from OKR fatigue. Whatever your starting point, we bring structured support, practical tools, and coaching that adapts to your reality so you can regain focus, rebuild confidence, and accelerate forward.

No matter where you are, The OKR Hub meets you there.

FAQ – Your Common Questions Answered

Q: What’s the best OKR training for teams to improve goal alignment?
A: The OKR Hub’s customised OKR Training is designed to improve goal alignment for corporate teams. By tailoring the training to your company’s strategy, teams, and culture, it ensures that every participant understands how to align their objectives with the organisations overall goals. Whilst a large majority of the Training is structured and certified, many of the elements can be adapted for your Operating Model, especially if its SAFE or Scrum.

Q: Do we need consultancy if we already know the OKR basics?
A: Yes. Most failures happen after the theory is understood. Consultancy ensures confident execution.

Q: Is this suitable for start-ups or only big corporates?
A: Both. Whether you’re 20 or 20,000, we tailor support to your scale.

Q: What if we’ve already started OKRs but lost momentum?
A: That’s common. Our coaching and health check can help you reset and refocus.

Q: How do you make sure OKRs stick?
A: By building capability, embedding routines, and supporting real-world implementation.

Final Thought – Don’t Go It Alone

If you’re serious about focus, alignment, and delivering strategy, not just writing it down, OKR consultancy isn’t a luxury. It’s the difference between progress and paralysis.

The OKR Hub brings clarity, structure, and energy to your OKR journey.