Strategic implementation refers to the process of executing plans and strategies. These processes aim to achieve long-term goals within an organization.
Strategic implementation, in other words, is a technique through which a firm develops. It utilizes and integrates new processes into the structure of an organization. This ensures that the culture, resources, people, and systems all follow the strategies put in place. Strategic implementation can be a driving force for your brand in a competitive market.
Read on for a guide to understanding the strategic implementation process.
Implementation in the Strategic Management Process
A new strategy doesn’t start with the implementation. Instead, strategy implementation follows three other stages in the process of strategic management. The first step is to identify your mission, vision, values and objectives. This is done by performing research and organizational analysis. This analysis concerns itself with all aspects of a business.
First, a business identifies potential areas of improvement. Next, a strategy is formulated to best address changes. Strategic implementation follows after. Afterwards, leaders continuously evaluate the implemented approaches.
Strategy Implementation: A Step-by-Step Process
There are several steps involved in the strategic implementation process. Several prerequisites can determine the success of a strategy in the long term.
Strategic implementation relies on a few factors, including:
- People: Do you have enough people to implement the strategy? Are these people the best candidates? You need your current employees to demonstrate the required skills and competencies.
- Resources: This refers both to financial and non-financial support.
- Structure: The organizational structure should be clear-cut, with leadership and authority established. Each member knows who they are accountable to and who they are responsible for.
- Systems: What systems, capabilities, and tools are in place to facilitate strategic implementation? What are their functions?
- Culture: Are all employees comfortable in their roles? Do they understand the overall objectives of the company? Are employees aligned with the brand’s values and mission?
These factors form the backdrop for successful strategic implementation. These are the basic steps to achieving strategic implementation:
- Building an organization that puts strategies into action.
Before strategic implementation can succeed, organizations need to have implemented a proper structure. This implies that different parts of the organization are linked together. Relationships between different positions, roles, and departments are transparent.
A part of this step also requires the formulation of a proper organizational climate. This assumes the cooperation and development of personnel. Employees and leaders need to be committed, determined and efficient to convert purpose into results.
- Supplying resources to strategy-essential activities
Some strategies rely on software or products to effectively translate into the day-to-day. Organizations should also allocate resources to training and development for their staff. Strategies rely on the resources being available to implement new systems.
- Developing policies which encourage strategy
Policies must go hand in hand with the new strategy as it is being implemented. Leaders need to provide their teams with specific sets of rules and guidelines. Everyone knows what behaviours are expected of them in light of the new strategy. This could be as simple as encouraging employees to ask for feedback at the end of customer service interactions. This policy might be part of an improved customer-experience strategy.
- Employing policies and programs that aid continuous improvement
Programs and policies should be implemented as and when the need arises. This requires agile thinking from team leaders, as well as continuous feedback and analysis. Communication is crucial to ensuring strategies can be evaluated and improved.
- Use reward structures to achieve the best results
Implementation can be significantly aided by setting up a reward system. This can encourage the right behaviours. Rewards can be implemented in the form of recognition or benefits within the organization. The positive impact of a new strategy should also continuously be broadcasted to all members of the organization.
- Periodically review the strategy
At regular intervals, the strategy should be reviewed. This allows leaders to identify if the implemented strategy remains relevant to the organization. As firms operate in more dynamic environments, changes may occur at any time. It is essential to review and change policies that no longer serve a distinct purpose. Strategies can become misaligned with the brand’s objectives.
Implement Strategies for Sustained Performance
Strategic implementation is essential to pushing organizations towards their bigger objectives. To make significant improvements, behaviours and processes need to be universally adopted.
If you have an objective in mind, SERVICEBRAND GLOBAL can help you implement the needed strategies to see organization-wide engagement. We take a brand-aligned approach to create sustainable performance and enable long-term improvements. Contact us today for a consultation!