The successful execution of strategy and realization of the goals and objectives of an organization is not easy. A strict top-down approach where the strategy of the organization is translated into desired projects, actions, milestones and timelines, and which are then handed over to the organization for execution is unlikely to create the targeted impact.
To put strategy to work and to realize organizational objectives requires addressing 3 crucial aspects.
The mission, vision and strategy need to be converted into powerful organization-wide objectives,making clear choices about what to target and what not. These then need to be translated throughout the organization into appropriate objectives for business units, departments and teams, preserving a clear link with the overall strategy and objectives and creating alignment among the various entities and teams. Progress tracking and accountability needs to be built in in order to measure success andto make adjustments where needed. Transparency and score-keeping will also create and maintain organizational vitality and helps to stay focused on the matters that truly make a difference.
The role and position of employees is pivotal, as they are ultimately the key success factor for an organization. A high degree of engagement in combination with effectiveness will maximize the contribution of employees. Motivating and activating employees requires a delicate balance between providing top-down direction and autonomy and the ability for employees to control their own work. In addition, challenges and stretch, and the awareness that one can contribute through meaningful work has a huge impact on employee engagement. These considerations need to be explicitly addressed when designing the framework through which strategy is executed and through which goals are realized.
Many organizations are faced with a high pace of change, forcing them to respond swiftly and effectively to both threats and opportunities. This requires working in short-cycles and using a step-wise approach with a customer centric mindset. The use of the collective knowledge and expertise available throughout the organization, learning, and continuous improvement are crucial. All thisneeds to be facilitated through the way working and needs to be an integral part of the design towards strategy execution and goal realization.
I support organizations with all these aspects of organizational success. Read more about this at Advice and Support or at About me.
My passion lies in supporting organizations and teams in making progress. I find it rewarding and energizing to make others successful. I am focused on creating smooth interactions and I use a practical approach.
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