How many computers do you think are filled with presentations of strategies that were never implemented? I would imagine that is a very large number. Why is that? This is because success isn’t built on strategy. Success is built through EXECUTION. Phenomenally successful people focus on executing remarkably well, as opposed to strategy only.

How many times have you heard something like this in a meeting or on a conference call? “Whatever happened to Idea X or Strategy Y? Who was working on that, again?” I would imagine we have heard it more times than we should have. Sadly, this is because many times teams and companies have created Ideas and Strategies for this, and for that however nothing was ever EXECUTED! We just celebrated Labor Day, so let’s focus on the labor of an idea or a strategy. EXECUTION is all about doing and managing the WORK! If strategy is deciding what to do, execution is all about making it happen. It’s the follow through.

There are 3 main things requirements for successful EXECUTION:

• Communicate clearly the goals for everyone in the organization
• A means of measuring progress toward those goals on a regular basis
• Clear accountability for that progress

Beyond that, good execution requires having a “systematic way of exposing reality and acting on it,” “EXECUTION”! Let’s discuss the 3 requirements in more detail.

1. Communicate clearly the goals and the key points

It’s difficult to convey every nuance of a strategic plan throughout a large corporation.   However, it is important to make sure that most employees are clear about their roles in achieving the most critical 80% of the plan.

Once the strategic plan is communicated, many companies have quick daily meetings that help to keep everyone is track. The daily meetings are held first thing in the morning, they are three to five minute communication meetings to reinforce objectives and uncover any issues.

1. Develop and Measure tracking systems that facilitate Problem-Solving 

Most companies use measures to test the hypotheses in their strategic plan. One way that a company can differentiate themselves from their competitors is to develop measures and other tracking tools not only for planning purposes but for execution as well. Companies should use a variety of problem-solving methodologies to address implementation obstacles. One very practical way to get to the bottom of things is for the manager to just keep asking WHY something is happening until they are at the core of the issue.

Companies must use measurements that tie back to its initiatives and to what supports their overall day-to-day business.   Studies have shown that in companies that don’t execute well, there usually isn’t a lot of truth telling. On the other hand studies also state that execution-based companies, facing reality makes the difference, and it is the competitive edge that allows them to move forward and at times faster. It’s up to the leader(s) of a business unit or department to allow the real heart-to-heart conversation to take place after all the numbers have been presented.

1. Clear Accountability: Set up formal reviews

The odds of successfully executing a plan that isn’t frequently reviewed are slim to none. Be specific about your meeting structures; how often do you plan to meet? What will the agenda look like? You may have weekly meetings that track your annual plan objectives and variances to address issues and have corrective action. Personnel, cost, and resources should be at the top of the agenda of your regular review sessions. This will allow you to make sure you have the right skills in the right places and at the right times. This will determine if you have the appropriate commitment on all levels to get the job done.

So the next time you hear the word strategy, make sure you follow that up, no pun intended with EXECUTION!