Pit-Falls in Implementing Organizational Strategy

Having high-level strategies is very important to any organization. It is also very important to properly implement and disseminate this strategy throughout the organization. However many executives and organizations can run into many barriers and pit-falls with this implementation of the strategy. Let’s look at a few common pit-falls and some potential solution to properly fight back and overcome these obstacles.

One common pit-fall that leaders can run into when implementing high level strategies is that not all executives or managers agree with the strategy and may actively go about sabotaging the strategy. For what ever reason some executive may feel that the strategy is flawed or that they were not properly consulted concerning the creating of the strategy. It is very important that everyone be on board for these large encompassing strategies. A way to begin to combat this problem is to bring every one of the execs in and ask them to participate. Ask them questions such as “what are our company’s objectives and aspirations?” Or “What are our market threats and opportunities? (Beer & Eisenstat, 2004, pg 1).” With their input one can be sure that these execs are active participants in the company’s strategy. It must also be made clear that it is intended for the strategy to be carried out by them and enforced by them.

How often have rank and file employees made comments such as “Why are we doing this?” Or “Why are opening an office there?” This brings us to our next common obstacle implementing large strategies; Improper or poor communication of these grand strategies. Many companies have overall “Need to Know” policies at work, or a desire to keep strategic information private and away from the media in order to keep secrets to their competitors, or many execs and managers simply may feel their underlings have no desire to know complicated or intricacies of business management. This is a bad path to take. Everyone must be on board for a company wide strategy to take effect. The upper management must use multiple resources to communicate this information to the overall organization. They should use company wide e-mails, have multiple meetings where employees not only hear the “C” level executives speak but also lower level managers and also their direct supervisors. Hearing the strategy from multiple sources will indicate its importance and also increase the likely hood that the information will be understood. The management team should also utilize the HR department so they can devise a proper channel of communication for questions to be asked and answered.

Another obstacle many organizations can run into is management not practicing what they preach. If a strategy is being implemented it is very important that the CEO not just give lip service to the strategy. For instance if the CEO preaches that product quality is a grand strategy moving forward, through designs and materials used line workers and engineers will know very quickly if this strategy is true. Once again the proper solution to this strategy is to follow through with what was said. The CEO should make sure that he or she understands his company’s competitive advantages before implementing a strategy. If the CEO does not properly understand that price advantage is their advantage in the market place then upgrading materials and design processes at the expense of cost and they have to drastically cut back on them later then workers will find themselves not believing in the strategy overall.

Overall it is important for companies to implement overall grand strategies to properly motivate and give their organizations focus. They face many potential pit-falls and obstacles when trying to follow through with strategies. However by following proper procedures and taking proper care the CEO can alleviate and reduce the headache these pit-falls can bring. Through proper communication, getting all executives on board, and honest follow through CEO’s can successfully implement large scale corporate strategy.


Beer, M. & Eisenstat, R. (2004). How to Have an Honest Conversation about Your Business Strategy. Harvard Business Review. pg 1-11.

The Fake Run

What is the fake run? It when you are crossing the street and so you kind do this fake jog thing so the guy that is slowing down thinks you are going fast but really you are going half as fast as if you just walked with your normal full stride.

Don't do the Fake Run I already know you are slow.

Old Fashioned Hobbies

Many of us come into work every day and sit in front of the computer. We also go home and maybe play video games or watch a DVD or the DVR. We probably cook our supper in the microwave and read or study about new and modern techniques in our respective career paths. We are a very modern and high technology society. Often times we don’t know what goes into the food we eat or the clothes we wear or the furniture we use.
Today I am going to convince you to start a hobby that is “Old Fashioned.” What is an Old Fashioned hobby? It is a hobby that requires us to study or perform a skill that lets us create a product that we could very easily could buy but in our past our ancestors would have had to build or create the object. In some instances they may be called a Craft Hobby. They are hobbies such as quilting or sewing or woodworking or maybe even coin collecting. There are many hobbies that you could use to bring you closer to history’s past. I am going to speak from mostly a woodworking perspective but you could adapt my opinions to your very own hobby.
One reason to pick up such a hobby is the personal satisfaction of creating something out of raw materials, to take a raw piece of wood and follow a plan or idea to the completion of a piece that can be used practically or as a piece of art can be a very rewarding experience. Along with this is the fact that it can be quick to learn some basic skills that can be used to make some nice pieces but there is always a new skill or technique to learn. You can always be challenging yourself. For instance wood working has woodcarving, carpentry or even furniture and toy making.
Many of these hobbies can be used to save money. Now it may be true that many mass produced furniture or blankets would be cheaper because they are made from cheaper materials and machines. As a woodworker however you can make solid wood pieces and save potentially many hundreds of dollars over store bought handmade solid wood furniture.
Another reason to take up such a hobby is you produce pieces and skills that can be passed on. I have ducks from my grandfather that I can pass on to my children and grandchildren. Many people enjoy hand made goods and appreciate the amount of work and time that goes into them. Not only do you have pieces to pass on but you also have a skill that can be taught or shared with children or even to others in the community if you teach a class or workshop.
Finally many of the tasks used in such pursuits can be very relaxing, watching TV or playing video games or going to the mall can be a very nerve racking or hectic experience the news can always be loud and frustrating. You can use these hobbies to be by yourself or have quiet discussions and conversation with family and friends and really unwind from other stresses in life.
In Today’s fast pace high technology world I think it’s important to remember how we did things in a different era. A hobby is certainly a way to connect you to that era. I encourage you to find a hobby or activity that can help you unwind by connecting with the past.

A short note to President Obama!

Dear President Obama:

Thank you for helping my neighbors with their mortgage payments. You
know - the ones down the street who in the good times refinanced their house
several times and bought SUV's, ATV's, RV"s, a pool, a big screen, two Wave
Runners and a Harley. But I was wondering, since I am paying my mortgage and
theirs, could you arrange for me to borrow the Harley now and then?

Richard Ford
Queen Creek, AZ

P.S. They also need help with their credit cards, when do you want me
to start making those payments?



P.P.S. I almost forgot - they didn't file their income tax return
this year.


Should I go ahead and file for them or will you be appointing them to
cabinet posts?

Boo 2

Credit Default Swaps became largely exempt from regulation by the SEC and the CFTC with the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, which was also responsible for the Enron loophole. President Clinton signed the bill into Public Law (106-554) on December 21, 2000.

Boo.

It is bad to see people walk from the restroom after witnessing them not washing their hand then entering the break room and grabbing ice out of the freezer for their water bottle. -- shiver --

Kiosk Sales People

Attention kiosk workers, No I don't want to try your lotion, No I don't want to learn about T-mobile, no I don't want slippers that look like gigantic sneakers. Really tone down the aggressiveness, I'm just at the mall to walk around and pick up a few things at real stores.