Execution wins: why seven out of ten strategies fail during implementation

Execution wins: why seven out of ten strategies fail during implementation

Company strategies often face the brink of failure, whether because of unforeseen external factors or internal obstacles such as insufficient #ExecutionCapability.

Statistically, about seven out of ten company strategies fail in #Implementation. Why? Let us illustrate this with a fictional excursion into private life.

🧭 What is a strategy?

A #Strategy is initially simply a chosen course of action for achieving a particular long-term goal.

An example of failure through holiday planning 🏖️

Suppose I want to take a summer holiday in southern France, the goal. There are various options, or strategies, for getting there: walking, cycling, taking the train or car, or flying.

The strategic decision consists of weighing the advantages and disadvantages, ideally choosing one option and focusing on it. In our case, we make the environmentally responsible decision to take the train.

🗓️ Implementation planning

Choosing the train immediately affects #ImplementationPlanning. New restrictions may emerge regarding luggage volume and weight because everyone, including the primary-school child, generally carries their own bags. Timing can become more complex, especially without direct connections between home and the holiday destination. That means boarding, changing and leaving trains at different stations. Can you imagine the strategic decision already provoking protest and resistance from a family member during planning?

Challenges during implementation 🏔️

The more concretely we consider the implications, the stronger #Resistance is likely to become. Those who initially approved the decision may no longer be willing to bear its consequences. Enthusiasm could diminish and, in the end, we might take the car again. The strategy has failed!

🤝 There is no free lunch!

What can we learn? There is no free lunch! Or, in Conor Neil’s words: “Every worthwhile goal requires sacrifice.” Heroes always sacrifice something, in mythology, such as Odin giving an eye for wisdom, and in business, such as Netflix giving up DVD delivery for streaming. Successful execution therefore means recognising the sacrifices, handling resistance constructively and keeping the goal in sight.

🎯 Conclusion

Companies should focus on and carefully plan implementation as well as strategy development. Successful execution requires willingness to make sacrifices and a constructive approach to resistance.

Find more tips and insights in the GCP playbook “Execution Wins – Successful Strategy Execution”.

The link to the free GCP content playbook is in the comments.

Please contact me if you would like to make your strategy even more effective. I look forward to hearing from you.

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