How to Successfully Execute Your Strategic Plan

PLAY BALL!
How to Successfully Execute Your Strategic Plan
Plan, Practice, Play – three small words that pack a lot of heat and directly impact whether you have a winning or losing season. We are now in the final “PLAY” stage of our 3-part column on strategic planning. Regardless of the game plan and practice drills, it always boils down to how the coach leads and players execute on the field – just like in the real world of your business.
In part one of our three-part strategic planning series we covered The Game Plan of Winners, which stressed the importance of planning for the future, carefully observing the daily operation of your company, and drafting specific actions to achieve business objectives. In part two, we discussed the importance of Spring Training, a time devoted to practicing and perfecting your game plan through strategic exercises including a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) to help identify priorities and then translate them into manageable, measurable actions steps. In this final step of strategic planning, it’s time to get things in motion – time to play ball – time to Execute.
Even the best strategies fail without execution. Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan, world renowned business leaders and writers, contend that execution is the bridge between aspirations and results. The ultimate difference between a company and its competitor, in fact, is its ability to execute. You have taken the time and energy to properly assess the current situation and create real customer-focused plans so don’t get distracted by day to day issues, stay focused and disciplined to meet the opposing team head on, execute what you have planned and practiced, and own the winning score.
Start at the heart of your company (your team) and roll out the plan in a systematic way.
1. Clearly define and clearly communicate the strategic plan to key stakeholders and include:
• Goals and objectives
• Roles and responsibilities
• Timelines and due dates
2. Ensure all work flow is aligned with strategy and the team has necessary resources and skills to succeed
3. Track, measure, and report progress on a regular basis
4. Reinforce behaviors that support the desired outcomes to motivate staff and fuel momentum

The key ingredient is quality communication. Embedding the message of disciplined execution in the hearts and minds of your employees and guiding them toward a shared vision requires consistent, clear and repetitive communication. You are the leader and coach and have the responsibility to facilitate and encourage constructive lines of communication. Employees who are well informed become more engaged and produce better results.
Make sure work processes are aligned, complimenting and supporting one another and that proper procedures are in place to support work flow. Track, measure, and report results so you can keep score on what’s working well and what needs improvement. Ensure that your incentive systems are integrated with your strategy and company goals; and, remember to recognize achievement to keep employees motivated and drive momentum.
Finally, keep in mind as you move forward through the implementation of your strategic plan that execution is a process, not a single and final step. There is no clearly defined beginning or end, so be dynamic, flexible, and forward-thinking. Developments such as technology, procedures, economic conditions, and demographics will continue to change and consequently, you will need to alter your strategy and execution accordingly. Work to keep up with the times and these changing variables, while maintaining the company with the principles you originally built.
There’s no hiding the fact that strategic plan execution is hard work. It requires quality communication, assertive strategic alignment, team development, and managing time to prioritized activities. But, when you start seeing your team achieving desired results, cruising through a winning season, it makes all that hard work – worth it.

Best wishes for much success in executing your “real world series” strategic plan.