Picture if you will, a spider's web. Arising from a central core, are a few large, strong vertical strands that spread from the centre of the web to its outer fringes and which are attached to the external environment (be it a tree or a branch etc.) Each of these core strands in turn is connected horizontally by smaller strands similar to the rungs of a ladder, starting with the smallest strands at the bottom levels and moving to the larger horizontal strands at the top of the web. The larger vertical strands spreading from the core and attached to the environment determine the size and shape of the web whilst the smaller strands however, provide access for the spider to move from one end of the web to another. Together, both the vertical and horizontal strands provide the net with which to capture unsuspecting prey.
Should one of the core vertical strands break, the web waves around in the wind and if not fixed and attached quickly to a branch or anything external, the whole web crumbles and folds like a deck of cards in the wind. Break any one of the smaller horizontal strands however, and the web although not broken, does nevertheless have a weakness, a gaping hole which if not fixed, allows prey to exploit it and to escape leading eventually to starvation and ultimately to death of the spider.
When looking at execution excellence within their corporation, CEO's would do well to see their organization as a spider's web connected to the external environment by core processes and with a number of support activities providing access and agility. Too often our leaders focus all their execution efforts on ensuring that the core strands are strong and firmly in place, but leave the management of the smaller execution strands to others. The argument being that, as we have seen with the spider's web, any destruction of the core strands will have immediate and dire consequences. But as we have also seen with the spider's web, the consequences of a broken smaller strand, although not immediately dire can, if not fixed, be as severe as the destruction of a larger strand. The adage being the web is only as strong as its weakest link.
The lesson being execution excellence requires that every aspect of the organization works together, is connected to the core processes, and is flexible to withstand gale force winds and change. If one strand is broken be it vertical or horizontal, it will impact the rest of the execution equation. It is simply not a question of "if" but merely a question of "when?"
Have a wonderful and prosperous 2008.
ian
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