Blogs

Organization design blogs.

We often reflect on our work as advisors, hoping to provide insights to others. Here, you’ll find our most recent blogs where we share our thoughts, experiences, and perspectives.

Oct 2, 2026 · Jaclyn Kates and Billy Carberry

The committee problem

Committees are easy to create and almost impossible to kill. Here's how the most efficient companies run them, plus six rules one CEO makes every committee follow.

Sep 27, 2026 · Jaclyn Kates

The new HR operating model: where product fits

Ulrich's model organized HR around people delivering a service. As AI agents take over the routine work, HR needs a fourth part: Product.

May 30, 2026 · Jaclyn Kates

If AI handles the code, where does the engineering actually go?

How AI code generation is reshaping software engineering, and what it means for organization design.

Mar 10, 2026 · Jaclyn Kates and Jonathan Hornyak

Why org design and talent assessment shouldn't come from the same firm

Having one firm do both org design and talent assessment creates a conflict of interest.

Feb 26, 2026 · Jonathan Hornyak

Every leader is an organization designer

Organization design is often treated as an HR capability. But business leaders are designing organizations all the time.

Feb 17, 2026 · Jonathan Hornyak

What change management really is

Change management is not the final mile of communications and training. It is the discipline that turns an intention into a new reality.

Dec 28, 2025 · Jaclyn Kates

What makes a good org designer?

The four essential skills that define what it takes to be a great organization designer.

May 28, 2025 · Jaclyn Kates

The five moats that matter when intelligence becomes free

Five competitive advantages that remain defensible as AI makes intelligence accessible and affordable to every business.

Feb 15, 2025 · Jaclyn Kates

When functions meet markets: designing conversations that matter

How a company’s choice of market logic shapes functional collaboration through critical connection points called docking stations.

Jan 21, 2025 · Jaclyn Kates

The challenge of global growth

Why companies shift from functional to geographic structures as they expand globally, and often move back again to balance efficiency with local market needs.

Jan 9, 2025 · Jaclyn Kates

The real org chart

What family and multigenerational businesses do better than anyone, and how to hand that strength intact to the next generation.

Dec 20, 2024 · Jaclyn Kates

How to choose a boutique organizational design consulting firm

A buyer’s guide to boutique organizational design consulting firms: the categories, the questions to ask, and the red flags to avoid.

Dec 15, 2024 · Jaclyn Kates

When does a company need enterprise organization design?

The six problems that bring CEOs and CHROs to enterprise organization design, and what changes when a company gets it right.

Dec 10, 2024 · Jaclyn Kates

Signs your sales model needs a reset

The strengths and limits of the three main B2B sales models: geographic, customer, and product.

Nov 22, 2024 · Jaclyn Kates

Why business strategies die

Strategies rarely fail because they are poorly designed. They fail when companies get bogged down in consensus-seeking and avoid making clear tradeoffs.

Oct 1, 2024 · Jaclyn Kates

The AI athlete

Why companies are creating roles for AI “general-purpose athletes”, versatile employees who can spot and implement AI solutions across departments.