Monthly Archives: January 2009
#10: How to execute on a ‘cool idea’
Definition of a ‘cool idea’: It solves a real life problem, you are able to create a solution and customers agree to spend money and/or time to acquire the solution. You can execute on cool ideas by luck, or by … Continue reading
#9: Using internal surveys to fine tune strategy execution
Its not a perfect world. Don’t get carried away by the metrics you get, especially if the measurement methods are approximate or if you are measuring perceptions. The conversation is more important than the survey results. If you can’t or … Continue reading
#8: Avoid neutrality: take a stand
Being neutral should not be confused with being objective or rational. Being or trying to be neutral is defensive behavior and is a sign of ‘risk avoidance’. This behavior is sand in the gears that are working to execute strategy. … Continue reading
#7: Einstein and Strategy Execution
As the story goes, an interviewer asked Einstein, if you could ask God only one question, what would that be? Einstein responded, “I would ask him how the universe was created. To get to where we are today is just … Continue reading
#6: Reconciling ‘action’ and ‘thought’ in Strategy Execution
At an intellectual and philosophical level, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, no ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Getting caught up in sorting this out results in inertia and inaction. However, the fact that people think this way is a reality that … Continue reading
#5: The ‘sweet spot’ between personalization and standardization
To achieve customer delight, solutions have to be personalized. This raises costs and increases points of failure. To achieve efficiency and lower costs, standardization and controlling variance is the key. To execute strategy, first clarify the intent, purpose and customer … Continue reading
#4: The evolution of best practices in executing strategy
A problem is solved. Similar problems are solved. Patterns emerge. A principle or theory is identified, proved and packaged into a ‘solution’ or ‘methodology’. A brand emerges and is used to spread the benefits. Over time, the brand develops a … Continue reading
#3: Walk the path
When in doubt on how to execute on the strategy, walk the path. Ask the following: How will the customer interact with the organization to ask for or select products or services? How will the different internal entities come together … Continue reading
#2: Meetings: where it all happens
Strategy Execution requires diverse stakeholders to interact and collaborate. All the brilliant thinking done in private is no use if your peers and stakeholders don’t agree to adopt and sponsor the solution. Diversity is a good thing if you know … Continue reading