1. Successful strategy execution requires engaging employees at multiple levels to gain their commitment, ensure they understand the strategy, and energize them to continue executing even without the leader's direct involvement. 2. Good execution means continuously aligning business activities while allowing flexibility to deviate from plans if needed. It also requires clear communication that actually leads to shared understanding. 3. Leaders must avoid confusing a performance culture with an execution culture and should not assume busy employees means the business is properly aligned around the strategy. Poor execution does not necessarily indicate poor leadership.

1. Executing on Strategy
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution

2. 1. the importance of the practice of execution
and how it is so often neglected and
forgotten,
2. the 3 most important themes in successful
strategy execution - hearts, minds and
hands
3. …….and the traps that you can fall into on
the long execution road
Strategy Execution – to cover today
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution

3. “However beautiful the strategy, you
should occasionally look at the results” –
Sir Winston Churchill
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution

4. • Strategy execution is several processes
• A “team sport”
• A specific execution skill set
• Time dependent
• Short and Long term thinking
What is Strategy Execution?
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution

5. • 88% of senior execs acknowledge importance of execution and
61% say they struggle with it (The Economist)
• 55% of execs say their company is “not focused on executing
strategy (PwC)
• APAC lags other regions in usage rates of strategic tools (Bain &
Co)
• One third of companies realise <50% of their financial promise
(HBR)
• Cooperation, communication, coaching and training lacking in
important areas (HRI)
Strategy Execution Facts
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution

6. Execution is a specific set of behaviours
and techniques that companies need to
master in order to have competitive
advantage. It’s a discipline of its own.”
Ram Charn and Larry Bossidy
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
• 65% of companies that invest in execution report
better financial performance than their peers (The
Economist)

7. 1. How do I make people care about my idea enough
that they are willing to figure out how they can
contribute to it’s success?
2. How do I make others aware of what the idea is
about – aware enough that they can make
autonomous decisions that positively impact success?
3. How do I keep my people moving along and energise
them to keep going down the execution path, even if
I am not around?
Alcoa’s Success = 3 questions
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
Source : jeroen-de-flander.com

8. Anon’s Success = Contributing and Belonging
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
Source: UGM Consulting

9. Successful Strategies need People
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution

10. 1. Make people care
2. Keep people focused
3. Make the decisioning process clear
4. Simplify things
5. Tell stories
6. Get involved
7. Educate others
7 things to do…
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
Source : jeroen-de-flander.com

11. 1. Just because everyone is busy executing, doesn’t
mean the business is ALIGNED
Lessons I have learned
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
Source : theperformancefactory

12. When “Yes” means “No”
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
Just
because
someone
said
yes
to
you
doesn’t
mean
something
is
going
to
happen.
Most
of
the
“yeses”
we
get
are
“noes”
in
disguise”

13. 1. Just because everyone is busy executing, doesn’t
mean the business is ALIGNED
2. Good execution doesn’t necessarily mean you stick to
a plan
Lessons I have learned
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
Source : theperformancefactory

14. 1. Just because everyone is busy executing, doesn’t
mean the business is ALIGNED
2. Good execution doesn’t necessarily mean you stick to
a plan
3. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that
COMMUNICATION has lead to UNDERSTANDING
Lessons I have learned
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
Source : theperformancefactory

15. 1. Just because everyone is busy executing, doesn’t
mean the business is ALIGNED
2. Good execution doesn’t necessarily mean you stick to
a plan
3. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that
COMMUNICATION has lead to UNDERSTANDING
4. Don’t confuse a performance culture with an
execution culture
Lessons I have learned
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
Source : theperformancefactory

16. Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
How are you rewarding your high-performers?

17. 1. Just because everyone is busy executing, doesn’t
mean the business is ALIGNED
2. Good execution doesn’t necessarily mean you stick to
a plan
3. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that
COMMUNICATION has lead to UNDERSTANDING
4. Don’t confuse a performance culture with an
execution culture
5. Poor execution is not necessarily poor executive
leadership
Lessons I have learned
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
Source : theperformancefactory

18. • You need a “strategy” for executing your
strategy and it involves engaging a lot of
people
• Use all the best practices you have available
as well as some psychology and
neuroscience
• DO NOT create/write your strategy alone
• Try to keep communication simple!
Tips for good strategy and execution
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution

19. A simple execution model….
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution
Source:Jeroen-De-Flander.com

20. ‘Strategy is only as good as the execution
behind it,’ (COO of the LEGO Group, Bali
Padda, Forbes).
LEGO unseated Ferrari this year when it
topped the 2015 global ranking of the world’s
most powerful brands
Strategy in Action - Strategy Execution

21. Questions?