Let's Talk Strategy #1: How To Assess Your Company's Capacity For Strategy

Increase Your Plan’s Effectiveness with a Strategic Readiness Assessment

In business strategy, there are two parts; the plan and the implementation of your strategy. Most times companies will take the time to go on that "corporate retreat", pull all of the leaders together in one place, equipped with newly purchased whiteboard markers, and put together a plan that rivals what Hannibal or General Patton could have done on their best day. Did I mention this normally happens in less than 24 hours?

We make our goals S.M.A.R.T. and our tactics precise. Business leaders pretty much cover all their bases except for one thing. The Execution.

This reminds me of my son, who decided one day that he wanted to change the color of his room. The idea of painting his room was entirely his own idea. Honestly, I watched him create a plan to change his personal area in our home without any help on my part.

He had considered what color would be best, so I drove him to the hardware store to speak with the associate in the painting department. The cost was a concern because he wanted to be a good steward over his allowance (I didn’t say I would pay for it). Later, he met with my wife to ensure his idea fit inside of the overall goals of our home.

Everything was done properly from the planning side, and in theory, was a great idea. What he failed to realize is that he had to do this in one day. Add to that on a Sunday night before school or he would not have the time. Along with sports, homework, and chores, it would be hard to dedicate the time necessary to complete his goals.

 Pretty soon, that plan of his to create a beautiful new experience in his personal space turned into “can you help me”, “this is harder than I thought” or my favorite “how much would it cost to pay someone to finish”. What divides the successful strategy practitioner from the ones that have fallen short in strategic readiness-- those unseen days on end when you are preparing for the resources and capacity you need to deliver on the tactics you’ve created. This is where the disconnect lies. You see, everyone has a plan, but not everyone realizes the breadth of what it takes to completely follow through. It seems not everyone can actually drive execution.  

Ideally, it's essential in the beginning to focus on execution when building your strategy. However, it will only do well when the plan is created in accordance with your business's capacity. Your resources can dictate the success level of your organization.

In my role as a Strategy Software Advisor, I implore my clients to first take a readiness assessment in order to develop where the business is and what is still required. This increases the likelihood of developing and executing a winning strategy. MPOWR has a dedicated process and strategy ideology. Along with our software, MPOWR Envision, our clients can "See It Happen" along the way. This is accomplished by first using some form of Strategy Readiness Assessment (SRA). Remember the company's capacity to establish and address what it will certainly take to attain its objectives will prove it's a viable plan. Readjusting based on demands on your resources as it continues to implement by the strategy in the most effective means possible.

In an article by Forbes, the range of leadership stating that they completed their strategy effectively was as low as 3%. This obviously makes strategic readiness the obvious missing factor, as it can forecast implementation success with better assurance.

So what are forward thinking, growth-minded companies doing to be successful in preparing their strategy? Remember, many companies struggle with getting things done in a normal work week. How will you know if you are ready for the extra effort it takes to launch a strategic plan?

Here's a tool to instantly provide you with a benchmark and resources to consider in your organization(s), team or project group, before making the leap towards implementation and execution. Take your free Strategy Readiness Assessment here