The Fading Art of Implementation

 

Organizations invent strategies as though their livelihood depends on it –which it does. So why, then, if strategy is so imperative to company and personal success, does strategic implementation get left behind, even when tasks, assignments, and inquiries come from all sides and seem to demand immediate attention?

The execution of strategy is what puts an organization on the map. It is the difference between grand speculations and intuitive delivery of strategy that draws results.

 

Who is really in charge of driving strategy execution in an organization?

With so much value in delivering strategy past the doors of a conference room, it’s only fitting that a top leader would take charge of driving strategy execution within an organization. An active CEO is crucial to a company’s motivation and desire to hone in on strategic implementation. This key role of C-suite leadership is a significant point of change within a business. The responsibilities of C-suite leadership have become more hands-on and engaging, allowing employees to see the value of their efforts toward strategic execution.

 

What is the first step to successful execution?

Create a business map. It’s business 101. Every day, thousands of company leaders enthusiastically come together to create and solidify plans to see their company grow. In that moment, the future is full of possibilities and achievements that, with consensus on a detailed strategy, are just a few pre-planned steps away. According to McKinsey research, 70 percent of change efforts fall short of desired results. The shared vision that was once agreed upon melts away when business-as-usual demands attention.

 

What are the main culprits that prevent diligent execution?

Putting a business map on paper versus putting it into action are two distinct and separate events. The execution of strategy is often neglected due to employee resistance, lack of management support or insincere investment.  Another common culprit that plagues companies is having a divided view of overall strategy and the smaller tasks that must be completed in order to bring it to life. Creating alignment through clear communication and appropriate delegation will allow employees to understand the decisions and actions for which he or she is responsible.

 

How to overcome the disconnect between planning and execution

The free flow of information across all organizational borders will strengthen your company’s strategic execution. This fluid communication allows employees to have the information they need in order to understand the impact of their daily choices. Eliminating the disconnect between strategic planning and deliberate execution is what StrategyBlocks aims to do with its visual, interactive platform that allows all facets of a company to be united in vision and short and long-term goals. StrategyBlocks allows the C-suite to turn strategic vision into execution, enabling a more dynamic organization through greater visibility, improved communication, and more immediate insight into performance metrics

 

Let StrategyBlocks help your organization become more visual – get in touch today.