James Kitney

Chief Strategy and Transformation Catalyst

+64 (0) 21 1424 117

James has 20 years of experience supporting organisations in New Zealand and Australia helping organisations develop world-class strategies and organisational systems that enable organisations to realise their full potential. James views strategy and transformation as two critically linked components that help organisations move from problem/opportunity space into realising their potential. He has delivered corporate strategies and large-scale transformation programs for some of New Zealand and Australia's leading brands, including FMG, AMP, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Southern Cross, Countdown, Woolworths AU, Coles, Vector, Visa, Australian Retirement Trust, M1 Singapore, Mitre 10, St George Community Housing, and IAG. James is an experienced consultant and coach with the passion, energy and intellect to challenge the status quo, and stretch executive and board thinking into new realms. James helps his clients in Strategy, Transformation, Futures and Innovation.

You can talk to me about:

❇️ Performance

Discovery

❇️ Performance

EX and CX Mapping

❇️ Performance

Ways of working and agile

💗 Culture EX

Culture Discovery

💗 Culture EX

Culture Advisory

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Strategic and Transformation Advisory

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Organisational Design

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Board and ELT Advisory

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Executive Coaching

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Strategy Design

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Transformation

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Programme Leadership

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Futures

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Innovation Design Sprint

🟪 Technology

Smartsheet Design and Implementation

🟪 Technology

WalkMe Design and Implementation

🟪 Technology

WalkMe Discovery

🟪 Technology

WalkMe Governance and Maintenance

I've recently written about:

January 15, 2024

Strategy & Leadership

A more Human Centred Approach to Strategy

Traditional strategy making has long been the domain of Corporate Strategy Teams, Executives and Consultants. For most employees in an organisation the first time they see or hear about any changes to strategy is when a new poster goes on the wall or their manager ‘informs’ them what the new strategy is.

February 13, 2024

Strategy & Leadership

Ditch the Decks, Unleash the Dragons: Why Strategy Isn't a Game trapped in spreadsheets and PowerPoint

Step into a world where strategy is not confined to boardrooms but thrives in the chaos and creativity of real-world challenges. This post explores how today's leaders are ditching traditional, rigid planning for a dynamic, design-led approach. Discover how embracing uncertainty, fostering a culture of experimentation, and engaging directly with the market through rapid prototyping and iterative testing can lead to spectacular successes.

March 26, 2024

Strategy & Leadership

Cut with a scalpel, not a Chainsaw: Strategic cost management and investment beyond the economic cycle

We've all seen the headlines in recent weeks with a number of public and private businesses across New Zealand announcing staff reductions. It's a familiar pattern – economic contraction leads to reduced consumer spending, which then necessitates cuts to operating expenditures. Then, when consumer confidence rebounds, it becomes an all-out scramble to capitalise on the upswing. This cycle seems logical on the surface. But is it truly optimal? Do we really need an economic downturn for us to focus on cost efficiency? Conversely, do we need economic growth to even consider strategies for expanding market share?

June 18, 2024

Strategy & Leadership

How Experience Can Reinvent Boring Products

In today's competitive landscape, strategic innovation doesn't always require a ground-breaking invention or an amazing new product. Often, the key to success lies in reimagining the way your customers interact with your existing products. By focusing on experience, businesses can completely transform the value proposition they offer, leaving competitors who are solely focused on functionality behind.