Leading the Strategy Execution Process

Read the overview below and complete the activities that follow.

For an enterprise to execute its strategy in truly proficient fashion, top executives must take the lead in the strategy implementation process and personally drive the pace of progress. They have to be out in the field, seeing for themselves how well operations are going, gathering information firsthand, and gauging the progress being made. Proficient strategy execution requires company managers to be diligent and adept in spotting problems, learning what obstacles lay in the path of good execution, and then clearing the way for progressthe goal must be to produce better results speedily and productively. There must be constructive, but unrelenting, pressure on organizational units to (1) demonstrate excellence in all dimensions of strategy execution and (2) do so on a consistent basisultimately, thats what will enable a well-crafted strategy to achieve the desired performance results.

The specifics of how to implement a strategy and deliver the intended results must start with understanding the requirements for good strategy execution. Afterward comes a diagnosis of the organizations preparedness to execute the strategic initiatives and decisions on how to move forward and achieve the targeted results. In general, leading the drive for good strategy execution and operating excellence calls for three actions on the part of the managers in charge:

• Staying on top of what is happening and closely monitoring progress.
• Putting constructive pressure on the organization to execute the strategy well and achieve operating excellence.
• Initiating corrective actions to improve strategy execution and achieve the targeted performance results.

The goal of this exercise is for you to understand what constitutes effective managerial leadership in achieving superior strategy execution.

Before completing this exercise, be sure to read Chapter 12, Corporate Culture and Leadership; specifically, the section entitled Leading the Strategy Execution Process.

Management by Walking Around (MBWA) is one technique that effective leaders use to

Multiple Choice

• check up on employees to make sure they are doing their jobs.

• stay informed about how well the strategy execution process is working.

• give motivational talks to employees.

• meet with important customers in the field.

• check up on inventory control and supply chain management.

Which of the following is NOT a success factor in making corrective adjustments to strategic execution?

Multiple Choice

• A thorough analysis of the situation.

• Weeding out low-performing employees.

• Identifying and evaluating options.

• Exercising good business judgment in deciding the course of action to take.

• Good implementation of the corrective action.