execute your strategy before it executes you

Transform Strategic Planning into Strategic Action

goals of the presentation

•   Understand the path from idea to execution

•   Match your client’s desires with your company’s strengths

•   Learn about the balancing act that builds momentum

exercise

•   What is on your to-do list?

•   Make notes on the handout

the 4 step sequence

Client’s  Desires   Company’s  Strengths  

balancing act

Upside  

•   Simple,  simplify  

•   Quick  to  act  and  decide  •   Out-­‐Of-­‐The-­‐Box  solu;ons  

Upside  

•   More  op;ons  

•   Flexible,  adaptable  •   Custom  solu;ons  

Downside  

•   Failure  because  of  rigidity  

•   Simplis;c,  narrow  minded  •   Misses  the  mark  

Downside  

•   ScaCered    

•   LiCle  gets  completed  •   Too  complicated,  requires  

exper;se  

Focus   Possibili<es  Focus  into  Ac;on  

+  

-­‐  

moving out of stuckness

Priori<ze  

Simplify  

Brainstorm  

Add  Complexity  

More  Focus   More  Possibili<es  

moving out of stuckness

Priori<ze  

•   Force  rank  items  

•   Get  feedback  •   Work  with  end  in  mind  

Simplify  

•   Test  –  do  something  

•   Create  systems  

•   What’s  the  simplest  scenario  

Brainstorm  

•   Higher  level  inten;ons  

•   Surface  assump;ons  •   Use  Post-­‐It  notes  

Add  Complexity  

•   Handle  more  excep;ons  

•   Elaborate  systems  

•   Look  for  subtle;es  

More  Focus   More  Possibili<es  

1 – initialize and start

•   Ask yourself……

–   Am I too focused on the premise of one idea? •   I dismiss thoughts because I can’t make it work… •   Step back and question assumptions

–   Am I too open to possible ideas? •   I am pulled in many directions and overwhelmed… •   Which idea has the most value for my clients with

the least effort/risk?

2 – explore and develop

•   Ask yourself……

–   Am I too focused on one option? •   I am willing to shoot from the hip… •   What are the possible consequences – good and

bad?

–   Am I considering too many options? •   I am in analysis paralysis… •   Do the risks justify the effort?

3 – decide and act

•   Ask yourself……

–   Am I too focused on one solution? •   I can’t decide - I need to know the outcome… •   Test a few solutions and be prepared to learn

–   Am I considering too many solutions? •   I am so busy I can’t evaluate what works best… •   Hit “Pause” – where is the best feedback? •   Which one gets me to market the quickest?

4 – maintain and sustain

•   Ask yourself……

–   Am I too generic in my approach? •   My clients complain about being boxed in… •   What are the patterns in the exceptions?

–   Am I supporting too many solutions? •   Everything I do is a custom service… •   Which aspect is commonly shared? •   What can I train somebody else to do?

summary

•   An idea moves through 4 steps from initiation to action. Value (The Money) is in Step 4.

•   Don’t forget your clients…

•   Balance Focus and Possibilities to maintain momentum.

final note

•   This material is part of our larger consulting engagements –   We work with small and medium-sized companies –   Align teams

•   Emergent Strategies: a 2-day course at UC Berkeley Extension

•   Do you belong to a group that would find this presentation useful

contact us

Michael North: Michael@EmergentHorizon.com

925-236-2296

Volker Frank: Volker@EmergentHorizon.com 510-517-7232

http://www.EmergentHorizon.com