It's about execution!

You can strategize all you want about business but in the end, it comes down to execution. How many business strategies have failed as a result of poor execution? A lot, as noted in Hrebiniak’s Business Strategy: Execution is the Key. And I might add, that execution efficiency is the Master Key.

 

In his book, Hrebiniak cites numerous examples of failures to implement a well thought out execution plan to a new business strategy. What he doesn’t say much about, is why.

 

Why don’t companies develop, detail, and deploy well crafted execution plans? What prevents companies from successfully implementing the company plan to change? What barriers and limitations exist that prevent success or otherwise screw everything up?

 

The most obvious reasons for failure is that those who have to undertake the change are not provided with sufficient direction, or more specifically, they aren’t told “how to do it”. Often, the execution plan, if there is one at all, is not linked to the business strategy since the company set up one team for the business strategy and another for the execution. Silos. 

 

Or, the business strategy was developed, and then a request was made for a lower group of managers to come up with a plan to accomplish it. The managers may or may not comprehend the strategy, likely were not involved in the development, and are not provided with any guidelines, framework, or architecture within which they can execute. In effect, the business strategy was “thrown over the wall”

 

Lack of communication at the interface between those focusing on business strategy and those responsible for executing all that is necessary to achieve the strategy is a primary reason why important business changes fail.