The vast majority of businesses can explain the results that they want. But few have actually organized the way that they work to deliver them.
Closing that gap means linking decisions about where to use AI, which skills to build internally, and when to bring in external expertise, to get the outcomes the business is aiming for. Adding capability is not enough on its own, better performances depends on how that capability is organized.
Guidant Global, powered by Vertage, can help close that gap. In Vertage’s latest research report, The Outcome Economy at Work, showed that 74% of enterprises define significant work around outcomes. However, the research shows only 15% are 'outcome ready' with the 'structural, operational and cultural capabilities to organize people, external expertise and AI around defined results', rather than purely allocating work by roles, headcount and/or hours.
The business case for outcome-readiness
We see this pressure showing up in the organizations that we support at Guidant Global. Our programmes combine contingent workers, statement of work suppliers and specialist skills that are particularly difficult to source. Traditionally, these programmes would have been managed separately, which meant that no one owned the outcome as a whole.
The research shows a strong business-case for designing work with outcome in mind; 'Outcome-ready businesses' report higher customer satisfaction (91% compared with 67% for the rest), stronger delivery of strategic goals (86% versus 65%) and faster conversion of opportunities into value (85% versus 64%).
Define the outcome then design the work
Defining an outcome should include what needs to improve, for whom and how success will be measured. With the outcome clear, leaders can identify the capabilities required and decide between expertise in-house, external specialists, collaborating with a partner, or automation.
The research suggests outcome-ready businesses connect those choices, with more than half (57%) planning delivery through one strategy spanning employees, partners, suppliers and AI, compared with 40% overall.
They aren't treating each source of capability as a separate plan; it's all integrated into one approach. Guidant Global, powered by Vertage, helps clients make those choices together, so that contingent workers, statement of work suppliers and specialist consultants answer to one specified result.
Giving 'company culture' a practical outcome-based focus
At Guidant Global we use leading and evolving technology but are dedicated to 'putting people first.' This means making sure people understand what they're working towards and how their work contributes. They also need to know which decisions they can take themselves and feel confident speaking up when something isn't working.
In outcome-ready businesses, 69% of employees understand their contribution and can adapt how they work, compared with 34% elsewhere.
AI makes this a daily issue. Rolling out a tool does not settle ownership or let anyone question its output. People need the expertise to judge what AI produces and the authority to act when it is wrong.
Take the first step
Start with one important outcome, not a business-wide redesign. Agree how to measure it and who is responsible, then make sure they have a say over the resources and decisions needed to deliver it.
The Outcome Economy at Work is a 2026 research report drawing on data from 800 enterprise decision makers, 1,200 fixed-term contract workers and senior leader interviews, and includes a diagnostic spanning structure, operations and culture.
Ready to talk now? Get in touch with Guidant Global to discuss what this means for your programmes.
