How to Effectively Implement a Strategy in Your Business
One of the most regular conversations that I have with Catapult members relates to strategy. We can formulate great—even brilliant—strategy in the boardroom, but without the detailed execution from the support team, the strategy remains ineffectual. To produce meaningful results, the strategy needs to be implemented by your team.
Related: 8 Tips for Building a More Creative Team
A Good Strategy Still Needs Tactics to Work
If the strategy is, for example, to launch new divisions, products, and services to increase sales and drive people to change behavior, then it requires a tactical plan to make it come to life.
What Does it Take to Implement a Strategy Through Tactics?
Deploying a successful strategy through tactics necessitates honestly answering the following questions:
1. Is Your Team Onboard?
Do you have the buy-in of your senior and junior leaders? Do they have the buy-in of your line of workers? Do they know what the strategy is, and do they actually know what is required to execute it?
2. Have You Nailed Down the Specifics of Delegation?
Has it been determined who is responsible for each part of your plan? It is important to focus on the changes that will be required and who is accountable for carrying out those changes. Once you have determined that, it becomes much easier to move forward.
Related: Why Are One-on-One Meetings Important?
Obviously it is important to ensure that your team is clear on what actions are expected, the frequency of those actions, and what the differences look like. Then, set some deadlines around those so that you can hold them accountable. For example, if you are bringing on a new product line and you continue to sell only the old product line, you really have not yet put your strategy in place; there are no tactics. A strategy not implemented is only a dream.
Taking the strategy and breaking it down into its component parts and ensuring your team is clear on what needs to be executed will provide a stronger foundation for the success of your master plan.
