Alcera Consulting provides tailored consulting services designed to help organizations navigate complex challenges and achieve strategic objectives. His consulting approach adapts to client needs, focusing on practical solutions that drive transformative change and enhance organizational resilience. By leveraging his deep expertise in strategy, risk management, and navigating uncertainty, we partners with leadership teams to develop and implement strategies that align with their mission and long-term goals.
Strategic foresight is foundational in both military and business leadership, enabling leaders to set a clear, long-term vision, align teams, and concentrate resources on priorities that drive sustainable growth. In the military, foresight ensures that every level operates independently yet cohesively, empowered by a unified mission and focus on core strengths. In business, this approach translates into creating a shared vision, clear delegation, and an emphasis on strategic strengths.
The following case studies show how military-inspired principles of foresight enable organizations to position themselves for lasting success.
Vision and Strategic Alignment
In military operations, aligning every level of command with a unified vision is paramount. This alignment creates a strategic framework that empowers each unit to contribute toward a shared goal, ensuring cohesion and direction across the organization. Military units use “nested hierarchical planning,” a model where each level aligns with the overall mission while allowing tactical flexibility within the unit’s specific objectives.
At CGI’s Global Wealth and Capital Markets (GWCM) division, Richard applied a similar nested alignment strategy to create a cohesive growth vision for the division. Through structured planning sessions with the division’s SVP, Jamie Holland and executives, we established a unified long-term vision that aimed to expand the division’s business and increase its revenue. By implementing this strategic alignment framework, each leader was empowered to translate the broader growth objectives into targeted, actionable plans within their specific teams.
Results: This approach clarified the division’s strategic objectives and provided a practical pathway for growth and implementation. GWCM exceeded its original growth targets, capitalizing on specific opportunities for growth and expansion. The nested planning approach ensured alignment across business lines, as each team operated independently while remaining aligned with the overarching vision and mission, resulting in a more cohesive and strategically unified organization.
Mission Analysis and Delegation
Military leaders rely on mission analysis and clear delegation, enabling teams to operate with autonomy while remaining aligned with the overarching mission. This approach allows leaders to define the mission’s goals and intent, empowering team members to adapt their actions on the ground while staying true to the commander’s vision.
At Richardson GMP, Richard facilitated two strategic retreats with the executive team to conduct an in-depth mission analysis, identifying core objectives, priorities, and defining operational boundaries. My approach leveraged my military experience in structured leadership and mission-focused planning. The retreats focused on engaging senior leaders in discussions that clarified their roles and responsibilities, ensuring that each department understood its unique contribution to the broader strategic goals. This process also reinforced clear delegation, empowering leaders to take ownership of their tasks while maintaining alignment with the company’s mission.
Results: The mission-focused approach led to enhanced autonomy and strategic decision-making within departments. Leaders were empowered to act decisively in their areas of expertise, resulting in improved responsiveness to both challenges and opportunities. Andrew Marsh, President and CEO of Richardson GMP, highlighted the value of my leadership expertise and ability to create an environment of open dialogue, which fostered collaborative decision-making and alignment on strategic priorities. This clarity and empowerment strengthened departmental collaboration, fostering a cohesive culture that supported the company’s overall strategic objectives.
Centre of Gravity: Focusing on Core Strengths
In military strategy, identifying the “centre of gravity” ensures that resources are concentrated on the mission’s most critical elements. By pinpointing these core strengths, leaders can maximize the effectiveness of their efforts, ensuring the greatest possible impact.
At Kingston Transit, Richard worked with the management team to identify their strategic centre of gravity: delivering a reliable and comprehensive transit network that meets the needs of the community. This process involved thorough strategic analysis and collaborative workshops to define the primary objectives, vision, and values for Kingston Transit. We recognized that their core strength lay in providing dependable service, particularly during peak times and in high-demand areas. By refocusing on these strengths, we directed resources towards optimizing route efficiency, enhancing service quality, and expanding network reach.
Results: The strategic emphasis on Kingston Transit’s core capabilities led to tangible improvements. According to Denis Leger, Commissioner of Corporate Services, my guidance confirmed that the organization’s most crucial strength was its ability to effectively and efficiently move people. This insight provided the impetus for significant organizational redesign, including targeted hiring and improved data collection for service planning. The refocused strategy not only bolstered Kingston Transit’s reliability but also contributed to an increase in community trust and ridership, reinforcing its role as an essential public service.
Managing uncertainty is essential to both military and business success. In military operations, leaders often enter unknown territories, maintain the initiative, and proactively manage risks. Similarly, in business, navigating uncertainty means exploring new opportunities, setting a proactive pace, and implementing safeguards against potential threats. These case studies demonstrate how military-inspired approaches to managing uncertainty empower organizations to thrive amid change and complexity.
Charting the Unknown
Military operations frequently involve exploring unfamiliar terrain to anticipate potential threats and identify strategic opportunities. This proactive approach helps forces understand their environment, prepare responses, and mitigate risks ahead of time.
For Mutuelle des municipalités du Québec, Richard led a strategic exercise involving scenario-based planning to help their leadership team anticipate and prepare for a range of potential future challenges. The process involved guiding the executive team through comprehensive brainstorming sessions and structured workshops, focusing on developing detailed scenarios that could affect their operations, such as regulatory changes and economic shifts. These scenarios were used to build a tailored response matrix, providing a roadmap for strategic decision-making that aligned with each scenario’s specific risks and opportunities.
Results: This strategic planning initiative provided Mutuelle des municipalités du Québec with strong tools for real-time decision-making and enhanced their ability to navigate market fluctuations and regulatory changes. The structured foresight exercise laid a foundation of resilience, positioning the organization for stability and growth amid uncertainty. Linda Daoust, General Manager and COO, praised my structured approach for keeping discussions focused and effective. Colette St-Martin, Director of Risk Management and Compliance, noted my valuable guidance and objective perspective throughout the risk assessment process. This collective effort prepared the organization to respond swiftly to future challenges.
Seize and Maintain the Initiative
In combat, maintaining the initiative allows forces to dictate the pace and control engagements, positioning them to shape the environment to their advantage. This proactive approach allows leaders to drive outcomes rather than merely react to circumstances.
Over a four-year period, Richard guided Respect Forum to become the premier non-profit organization focused on strengthening support services for Canada’s veterans and emergency responders. Recognizing the opportunity to unify and enhance services across communities, we seized the initiative by organizing semi-annual gatherings of service providers in over 20 communities nationwide. This proactive engagement fostered collaboration and communication among agencies, aligning them under a shared mission to improve veterans’ services.
Results: These initiatives allowed Respect Forum to secure multiple rounds of funding from Veterans Affairs Canada, leading to the launch of an innovative online database. This resource, built with a unique risk-based categorization scheme, became vital for coordinating service providers’ efforts. We also expanded outreach to underserved groups, including women and Indigenous veterans. Respect Forum’s leadership established it as Canada’s leading veterans’ assistance organization, recognized by hundreds of community groups and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Our focus on initiatives empowered service providers to better support veterans and first responders through enhanced coordination, cooperation, and communication.
Proactive Risk Management
In the military, proactive risk management involves anticipating potential threats and developing strategies to mitigate them before they materialize. This approach ensures mission readiness and safeguards critical resources.
For Environment Canada, Richard developed an extensive Business Continuity Planning (BCP) Program that included proactive risk management, training, and regular audits. This program began with assessing potential risks, from natural disasters to cybersecurity threats, and formulating tailored mitigation strategies. I conducted targeted training sessions and scenario-based exercises with leadership and key staff to solidify their understanding of continuity roles. Regular audit processes were integrated to evaluate preparedness and continuously enhance resilience.
Results: This initiative significantly improved Environment Canada’s capacity to respond swiftly to disruptions and maintain core functions during crises. Pierre Lessard, Director of Security, highlighted my ability to thoroughly understand departmental needs and deliver logical, effective solutions. The project’s success stemmed from clear communication, detailed planning, and engaging facilitation, which collectively fostered a culture of readiness and adaptability. The BCP framework became a cornerstone of Environment Canada’s operational resilience, ensuring service continuity and reinforcing their proactive approach to risk management.
Implementing strategic transformation in an organization requires a clear vision, structured project management, and empowering teams to make independent decisions within a strategic framework. Military operations emphasize the importance of adapting rapidly to new realities, coordinating complex actions, and fostering a command structure that allows for decentralized decision-making. These principles translate effectively into the business world, supporting organizations as they navigate growth and complex change.
Radical Transformation
In the military, adapting quickly to new threats or changing environments often necessitates radical transformation. This can involve challenging existing structures, breaking traditional boundaries, and realigning forces to new objectives. Such transformation is driven by strategic insight and decisive action, ensuring that teams are positioned to capitalize on opportunities or mitigate threats effectively.
As the founder and owner of JPdL International, Jean-Paul de Lavison said, “I needed some ‘radical strategic surgery’ and that’s when I called Richard.” Richard guided Jean-Paul and his leadership team through a comprehensive strategic overhaul, helping to create and implement a new business model that realigned ownership, streamlined operations, and clarified strategic goals. This transformation strengthened the company’s foundation, positioning it for sustainable growth and better alignment with evolving client needs.
Results: As a result of the strategic overhaul, Jean-Paul de Lavison gained clarity and confidence in his role as president and majority shareholder, empowering him to make pivotal ownership and leadership decisions. The company shifted its focus to essential priorities, moving away from less impactful pursuits. The practical guidance provided by the strategic plan enabled effective implementation through planning, delegation, and follow-up, helping to filter out less effective ideas and prioritize initiatives that drove growth. This comprehensive approach fostered more cohesive leadership and operational strategies, positioning the company to achieve its growth objectives more effectively in the years ahead.
Strategic Project Management
Military operations are meticulously planned, with each phase designed to align with strategic objectives while maintaining adaptability and control. This strategic project management approach ensures that all resources and actions are coordinated effectively, enabling smooth transitions from planning to execution.
At WerkLiv, a company navigating growth challenges in the construction and real estate sector, Richard introduced a comprehensive strategic project management framework. The aim was to improve project execution consistency, reduce delays, and ensure alignment with broader business goals. This framework defined clear roles for project teams, established milestone-based tracking systems, and streamlined communication channels to minimize bottlenecks. Training sessions for team leads reinforced the strategic importance of these new processes, enabling them to lead their teams effectively through each phase of a project.
Results: The structured project management approach led to significant improvements for meeting project timelines, budgets, and scope. Go/no go decision making became more explicit and understood across the company. WerkLiv’s enhanced processes allowed them to meet project milestones more reliably, reduce operational delays, and increase client satisfaction. The new framework also provided greater transparency and accountability across project teams, fostering a culture of proactive problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Decentralized Decision Making and Initiative
In military operations, decentralized command structures empower leaders at all levels to make independent, strategic decisions while staying aligned with overarching mission goals. This approach fosters initiative and rapid adaptability, allowing teams to respond effectively to changing conditions without the need for constant oversight.
At Business & Decision, a leading data and digital transformation company, Richard worked with the leadership team to shift from a centralized decision-making structure to a more decentralized, agile framework. Sylvain Thauvette, the CEO, highlighted the challenge of maintaining strategic focus within a team of strong-willed, entrepreneurial executives. To address this, I facilitated strategic sessions that defined clear decision-making boundaries and aligned the senior leadership team around a unified vision. Drawing on military discipline and structured approaches, I enabled leaders to act autonomously while adhering to the company’s strategic direction.
Results: The transformation was profound. The decentralized decision-making structure empowered department leaders to adapt swiftly to client needs and market shifts, reducing delays and speeding up project turnarounds. This newfound agility enhanced customer satisfaction and positioned Business & Decision as a more responsive and innovative player in the market. Importantly, the approach fostered a culture of ownership and accountability across the organization, ensuring each team member understood their role in achieving strategic goals. The disciplined framework kept the senior team aligned, focused, and ready to drive the company’s growth forward, as noted by the CEO, who emphasized how the changes energized the team and prepared them to implement their strategic plan effectively.
Building organizational resilience is crucial for maintaining continuity and achieving long-term success, particularly in challenging and uncertain environments. In military operations, resilience is developed through securing essential resources, enforcing clear governance, and ongoing training to maintain readiness. These principles are equally valuable in the business world, where resilience can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving. The following case studies illustrate how these military-inspired strategies were effectively applied in various business settings.
Securing Core Assets
Military operations emphasize the importance of force protection to ensure the security of vital resources and personnel. Protecting core assets is essential for maintaining operational capability, especially in high-risk or rapidly changing environments. By safeguarding critical resources, organizations are better prepared to withstand crises and maintain steady operations.
For UV Assurance, Richard developed a comprehensive risk management and business continuity plan aimed at protecting the company’s core assets. The process began with identifying the essential resources—financial, operational, and informational—that were vital to UV Assurance’s ongoing functionality. I then implemented a structured framework that included risk assessments, response protocols, and a communication strategy to ensure that the organization could act swiftly during potential disruptions. Training sessions were conducted to familiarize key staff with their roles in the continuity plan, enhancing their confidence and competence.
Results: The strategic risk management plan significantly strengthened UV Assurance’s resilience to potential disruptions, providing a clear roadmap for maintaining business continuity. This approach ensured that critical operations could proceed with minimal interruptions during crises, preserving both client trust and operational stability. The proactive measures helped UV Assurance remain a trusted leader in the insurance sector, capable of weathering challenges, as demonstrated during COVID.
Governance and Accountability
Effective governance in the military ensures that every member understands their roles and responsibilities and aligns their actions with mission objectives. This structure fosters trust, supports strategic decision-making, and maintains order even in complex operations.
At Commissionaires, Richard co-led a comprehensive governance review as part of a strategic cyclical assessment to position the organization for future key decisions. This involved navigating the diverse viewpoints within the corporation and ensuring that all perspectives were recorded, while identifying and evaluating key strategic enablers. Working with my co-consultant, we designed and implemented a tailored methodology to sustain meaningful dialogue with internal stakeholders and analyze critical issues. Our practical approach allowed the organization to explore fundamental causes and potential solutions in a comprehensive manner.
Results: The final report and presentation to the National Board were detailed yet accessible, effectively summarizing critical issues and easing the decision-making process for the board. The governance review highlighted crucial strategic insights and prepared Commissionaires for informed future decisions. According to Colonel W.G.S. (Bill) Sutherland (Ret’d), National Chair of the Board, our work was essential in helping the organization understand the complexity of its structure and plan effectively for the future. This strengthened governance framework enhanced trust, accountability, and strategic alignment across the organization, reinforcing its resilience and operational efficacy.
Training and Professional Development
In military operations, continuous training is essential for building readiness and developing the skills needed to perform effectively under pressure. Such training programs ensure that teams remain adaptable, fostering a culture of growth and preparedness to meet evolving demands.
For the Ottawa Police Service, Richard developed and implemented a knowledge transfer and training program aimed at enhancing internal capabilities. The service faced challenges in managing a large-scale training system for its 1,400 officers, which had been conducted in an ad hoc manner, leading to inconsistencies and dissatisfaction. I leveraged my military background in leadership and comprehensive training programs to guide the development of an efficient, high-performance training management system. This included engaging senior personnel, aligning the program with budgetary constraints, and transferring essential skills for ongoing improvement.
Results: According to Scott Nystedt, Superintendent of Resourcing and Development, my approach dramatically improved the performance, transparency, and cost-effectiveness of their training management system. The new structure provided the Ottawa Police Service with a robust system to identify training requirements and meet objectives while fostering trust in the department’s capabilities. Officers and staff became more confident in applying new practices, which enhanced their adaptability and operational readiness. This focus on continuous learning laid the groundwork for long-term efficiency and resilience.
The Canadian Army faced the challenge of digitizing their training programs to achieve full operational capability. My role was to identify individual and organizational training needs and develop a comprehensive plan that integrated technological advancements with existing training structures. Richard facilitated the coordination among stakeholders, including the Directorate of Army Training, to ensure the successful adoption of new courses and modifications with minimal disruption.
Results: Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Cooper praised my ability to bring together stakeholders with diverse interests and secure buy-in for the development of new training protocols. The project succeeded in aligning the Army’s training curriculum with its digitization goals, establishing a model for sustainable adaptation and integration. This initiative equipped the Canadian Army with the framework to institutionalize digitization in its training processes, reinforcing their readiness for future operations.
I collaborate with top-level leaders to provide strategic insight, navigate uncertainty, and drive transformative change, ensuring market dominance and excellence in public governance.
