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How LinkedIn runs Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs)

Ways of Working
13 Jul
Written By Yuyan Wang

Key takeaways:

We know how vital it is for leaders to provide context so that their teams know which direction to go in. The problem is: how do you know that you're focusing on the right priorities in a changing environment?

For LinkedIn, this issue is addressed by holding Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) to help bring the leadership team together.

Through QBRs, the results of every business are examined. In situations when results aren't met, other leaders can voice their opinions and suggestions that can be helpful, elevating the relationship between executives.

When implemented correctly, QBRs can be immensely valuable to your organisation.

Below are 4 best practices you can learn from LinkedIn about implementing QBRs:

1. Set the objectives for the QBR

To ensure that the leadership team understands and agrees with the process, clearly communicate:

  • What is the purpose of the QBR?
  • What are we trying to achieve?
  • What it is and isn't?

2. Keep the document short

Prepare a 6-page narrative document for each business line that includes the following sections:

  • Recap of each business's vision to values
  • Executive summary
  • Strategic summary, highlighting any changes to the team's strategy
  • Top priorities for the year, stack-ranked and evaluated each quarter
  • Key performance indicators, both results and projection, and including commentary
  • Any areas the team needed help with

3. Run pre-meetings with the leadership team

Provide a chance for the leadership team to highlight and unpack the most pressing challenges and potential misalignment, to be discussed during the QBR.

The pre-meetings themselves are great opportunities to create alignment and solve problems.

4. Follow up on key takeaways

Prepare a brief summary of business actions and key takeaways to assist the leadership team in focusing on priorities that matter, and provide organisation-wide communications.

Source: Quarterly Business Review at LinkedIn: A True Game-Changer, by Brian Rumao, January 24, 2018