Strategy or Implementation . . . Which is Harder?
Both strategy and
implementation
are important
to a successful
business.
However, too
many times we
see the strategy
being given less
by Phil Phillips, PhD
Contributing Editor
phillips@chemarkconsulting.net
Obviously, both are important to do well to be a successful business. However, too many times we see the strategy
development phase being given less detailed attention than that of the implementation phase.
“Accepted wisdom” in many mid-sized
and large companies is that strategy is the
easy part and implementation is the more difficult part. We would agree that both are difficult but would wholeheartedly disagree that
strategy development is easier. On the contrary, if strategic planning is done extremely
well, if anything, that fact makes implementation much easier.
We have all heard that one cannot catch and
pass a moving train unless one is going faster
than the train itself. Well stagnant companies
try to do this when considering the “
best-in-class” competitors.
It’s called BENCHMARKING!
Benchmarking takes a “still shot” of this
competitor and tries to duplicate it. The
“best-in-class” competitor didn’t become the
“winner” by standing still in a time capsule. The
winner became the winner by constantly retun-
ing its already very good strategy by... push-
ing and expanding their envelope sphere. They
don’t stop and rest on their laurels. Winners
know no rest.
Future understanding
What we’re saying is create the future, don’t
just forecast it. The biggest challenge in creating the future is NOT predicting it. There’s not
detailed attention
than that of the
implementation
phase.
22 | Coatings World
www.coatingsworld.com
June 2013
