ValuExecBlog

Strategy Execution from the heart

You might have guessed it by now, but I am passionate about strategy execution. I feel it every time I go into a company and am told that plans are not being met because of poor execution as a result of people, or processes or even customers. We know from research that companies lose about 40% of strategy in execution, so it stands to reason that there is so much to be gained if corporate leaders simply focused on the execution of strategy. But unfortunately, research again tells us that leaders tend to spend 85% of their time on operational issues, i.e., putting out fires, rather than on execution.

With all the doom and gloom that we are reading about in the world press today, it is easy to become like the proverbial rabbit caught paralyzed in the headlights of an on-coming car, and it will take every effort to move out of the glare of the headlights and into the safety of the unknown. And that is what makes it all the more exciting. Safety can and will be found in the unknown and not in the known. Safety will be found not with what makes us comfortable but with that which makes us uncomfortable.

If companies want to survive, they will need to improve their execution. And for those of us who are passionate about execution, we will need to find alternative ways that we can bring to companies to help them execute better and faster; ways that are not complex, but are customized to suit the particular company, its people, processes and its customers. One-size will not fit all.  

Yes, Siree! I am looking forward to an exciting 2012.

Yours in execution.

ian 

Strategy Execution is like Golf

Executing strategy is like playing golf. One day, you can have a great game and the next day, just when you think you are mastering the sport - you can have a shocking round. What makes golf the ultimate experience is that no two rounds of golf are ever the same. Natural elements change; what happens between your ears changes; where your ball lands on the fairways or on the greens is never the same and your approach to the flag is never the same. But you do the best that you can with the skills and tools (your clubs, etc) that you have on the day. And so it is with strategy execution. Nothing is ever the same from one day to the next let alone from one year to the next. And so you make do with the skill sets and tools that you have. 

 Before you hit a shot in golf, you have to be aware of every element that might impact how you hit the ball and where it might land. It is the same with strategy execution. Know the course you are playing; which way the wind is blowing; which elements will come into play, what clubs are in your bag and make sure you get yourself a great caddie.

Yours in execution.

ian

Caffeine Fix #10: Draw a line in the sand!

Herewith our Caffeine Fix # 10 from the authors of 'Rework':

'You have to believe in something. You need to have a backbone. You need to know what you're willing to fight for. And then you need to show the world. We're (37Signals) willing to lose some customers if it means that others love our products intensely. That's our line in the sand.'

At Valufacture Solutions, our line in the sand is the value we create. If we don't add value - we don't charge regardless of how many hours we spend on a project.

What's your and your company's line in the sand?

Yours in execution.

ian 

Rework Caffeine Fix # 8: Scratch your own itch

Something worth thinking about as you start your day. Again from the authors of Rework at 37 Signals:

Rework Caffeine Fix # 8: Scratch your own itch:

     "The easiest, most straightforward way to create a great product or service is to make something you want to use. If you're solving someone else's problem, you're constantly stabbing in the dark. When you build what you need, you can also assess the quality of what you make quickly and directly, instead of by proxy. Best of all, this 'solve your own problem' approach lets you fall in love with what you're making."

Yours in execution,

ian   

Rework Caffeine Fix # 7: Make a Dent in the Universe

I just love this pearl of wisdom from the Authors of Rework at 37 Signals:

Rework Caffeine Fix # 7: Make a Dent in the Universe

     "To do great work, you need to feel that you're making a difference. This doesn't mean you need to find a cure for cancer. It's just that your efforts need to feel valuable. You should feel an urgency about this too. You don't have forever. This is your life's work. What you do is your legacy. If you're going to do something, do something that matters."

Yours in execution.

ian

Rework Caffeine Fix # 6: Be a Starter

What a good way to start the day with this gem from the authors of Rework:

Rework Caffeine Fix # 6: Be a Starter

     "Let's retire the term entrepreneur. Instead of entrepreneurs, let's just call them starters. Everyone should be encouraged to start his own business. You just need an idea, a touch of confidence, and a push to get started."  (Page 28)

 

Yours in execution.

ian

Rework: Caffeine Fix # 5: Workaholism

Herewith our morning caffeine fix from the authors of Rework to get our brains - well, reworking.

 

Rework Caffeine Fix # 5: Workaholism

     "If all you do is work, you're unlikely to have sound judgments. Your values and decision making wind up skewed. No one makes sharp decisions when tired. Workaholics aren't heroes. They don't save the day, they just use it up. The real hero is already home because she figured out a faster way to get things done." (Page 26)

 

Yours in execution.

ian 

In praise of the Gate Keeper

In the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" King Arthur and his knights come face to face with the Keeper of the 'Bridge of Death'. In order to cross the Bridge, the Keeper asks each knight 3 questions. If answered correctly, they are free to cross, but should they answer incorrectly or refuse to answer, they are cast into the gorge of eternal peril.'

And so, like Arthur's knights before us, many of us, who have something to sell, find ourselves standing before the Keepers of the 'Bridge of Death' every day. And like Arthur and his knights, we have to answer 3 simple questions:
1. What is your name?
2. What is your quest?
3. What is the air velocity of a sparrow?

Now, question 3 may well differ but the framework is always the same. Having lured you into a sense of false security with the first 2 questions, it is the third that will catch you off guard; that will make you gasp in shock and which may well lead to your being cast into the gorge of eternal peril. So be warned. Choose your words wisely and answer the third and final question carefully.

You either love or hate personal assistants. There is no in-between. They can either make things happen for you or they can make life hell. Make a friend of them and miracles will happen - but get them off-side and life becomes nothing more than a cruel joke.    

Personally, I love them. As an MD, I have seen how they protected my time from outsiders. Only a select few got to cross the bridge. Those that didn't were either dispatched quickly to other managers in the organization or were cast into the gorge of peril never to resurface. Now, as a consultant, I am seeing how on some days, I get to cross the bridge and yet on other days my fate lies with other managers or in the gorge. The fault lies not with the Keepers, but with my answers to their 3 simple questions:
1. What is my name?
2. What is my quest?
3. What is the .........

In praise of Gate Keeper.

ian

First Impressions

Every CEO should ask the question "What is the reception area saying about this company? What is it saying about me?" The same question should be asked by doctors, dentists, lawyers or anyone in professional services.

Reception areas can either feel welcoming and engaging or they can feel distant and disengaging. I had the opportunity to visit 2 alcoholic beverage companies recently and the reception areas of each were worlds apart. Entering the building of the first was like entering the concourse of an airport. Aesthetically it was pleasing and it was obvious that alot of money had been spent on its design but it was cold and I never felt welcome. The second seemed to beckon me in and I had the distinct impression that I was a welcome guest. Looking back on the tone of the meetings that I had at both companies, they were very different. The first was straight business and I treated it as such whilst the second was warmer and more concessions were offered.

A few months later I read that the first company (the cold one) was in dire straights and the CEO resigned. The second gained market share and was acquired and continues to grow from strength to strength gaining share at the other's expense. Not that I am linking the success of a company to its reception area but reception areas I believe can tell alot about the company's culture, its people and how it treats its consumers. 

There should be an award for the most welcoming and engaging reception area. Next time you are in the Baltimore area, pop into the McCormick head office. There is something about the smell and the ambience in that reception area that makes you want to do business with them and buy their products. On first impressions, it is a winner.

ian

Simplicity ~ Making my way through the chaos

I noticed that I seemed to be saying 'there has got to be an easier way,' quite alot recently and by 'easier' I mean a 'simpler' way. What intrigued me was that I wasn't saying 'there has got to be a better way' but rather 'there has got to be a simpler  way.' Which got me thinking - is the result of all the chaos that we found ourselves in last year, a desire now to move to the more simpler things in life?

And so in search of the truth, I turned to the one person that I know who would have the answer - Edward De Bono. Dusting off my copy of his book 'Simplicity' (Penguin Group; 1998) I turned immediately to page 279 and read the 10 Rules of 'Simplicity'

1. You need to put a very high value on simplicity
2. You must be determined to seek simplicity
3. You need to understand the matter very well
4. You need to design alternatives and possibilities
5. You need to challenge and discard existing elements
6. You need to be prepared to start over again
7. You need to use concepts
8. You may need to break things down into smaller units
9. You need to be prepared to trade off other values for simplicity
10. You need to know for whose sake the simplicity is being designed
    

Well, nobody said it was going to easy - or - simple for that matter. However, armed with these 10 Rules, I am determined to embrace 'simplicity' but leave you with the final word from De Bono 'In an increasingly complex world 'simplicity' is becoming one of the 4 key values.'

Here's to the simple things in life.

ian