Strategy to Win Element 7 - Tactical Initiatives 

 

Translating Strategic Objectives into Tactical Initiatives

Congratulations to all the participants who have completed the initial stages of strategic planning. You have conducted market and internal research, identified your customer journey, and developed a compelling value proposition. Additionally, you have established strategic priorities and proven that you can bridge the gap towards achieving your strategic objectives. This is indeed an impressive amount of work!

 

Now, it's time to embark on the next phase: determining tactical initiatives and creating action plans for your employees to execute. While it may seem like a daunting task, this is where the real excitement begins. You will start to see how everything comes together and sets the stage for success.

 

The Canal and Irrigation Analogy

To better understand the process of translating strategic objectives into workable initiatives, let's consider an analogy. Imagine a large-scale canal and irrigation system. The water from the canal is channeled into smaller canals, which eventually reach crop rows. Farmers ensure that the water reaches the end of each row, providing essential nourishment for the crops.

 

Similarly, in our strategic planning, we must ensure that our big-picture objectives translate into feasible initiatives. We break down the strategic priorities into smaller, actionable steps. Just as the water flows through the canals, our activities must align to achieve the strategic priorities.

 

From Numbers to Operational Initiatives

Many managers struggle to bridge the gap between high-level strategic goals and operational initiatives that employees can understand and execute. This challenge arises because employees are not always motivated by numbers alone. As leaders, we need to envision how the work will be accomplished. It is crucial to establish a clear connection between the strategic objectives, priorities, and the tasks at hand.

 

Using the analogy of the irrigation system, we take water from the main canal and distribute it into smaller areas until it reaches the end of the row. Similarly, all our activities should contribute to completing the strategic priorities. To achieve this, we need executable activities with assigned accountabilities and specific timelines. Without these components, the process is incomplete.

 

Connecting Strategy to Action

Strategy to Win provides a framework that connects the big-picture strategy to actionable plans at every level. This approach allows us to have clear goals and break them down into weekly or even daily activities. By doing so, employees can understand the value behind their tasks, rather than simply following instructions without context. This connection to the organization's overall value becomes crucial for employees to align their efforts and contribute effectively.

 

Winning with People

While business owners focus on increasing the enterprise value, and executives strive to meet financial targets, it is the employees who drive the activities that ultimately lead to desired outcomes. Winning with people is essential, as we discussed earlier. To win their hearts and minds, employees must be involved in the planning process to some extent.

 

Though senior executives set the targets, directors, managers, supervisors, and even line staff should have a voice in the planning process. Failure to include various levels of employees often leads to a lack of buy-in and feelings of disconnection. Brainstorming around tactical initiatives provides an opportunity for ownership and engagement in the process.

 

Communicating Beyond Numbers

It is crucial to communicate the broader context of business activity to employees, moving beyond the realm of numbers. This helps them understand how their daily job responsibilities contribute to the overall success of the organization. Focusing solely on numbers can sometimes demotivate employees, leading to disengagement. Employees need to see the significance of their contributions and how they directly impact the organization's value.

 

In my experience, I have witnessed employees who quickly start looking for new opportunities when a company fails to achieve its numbers or experiences a lack of growth. This emphasizes the importance of involving employees in the planning process and keeping them informed about the progress made towards targets.

 

To avoid such situations, we need to find effective ways to involve employees in the planning process. One approach we recommend is brainstorming, which we have discussed in previous sessions. One particular method we find valuable is called "stormboarding." It involves taking the strategic priorities and breaking them down into tactical initiatives that can be accomplished within a shorter timeframe, typically three months to a year.

 

Let's consider an example. Suppose one of our strategic priorities is to expand geographically. In that case, we can identify several tactical initiatives to support this objective. It is advisable to limit the number of tactical initiatives to three, ensuring a focused and achievable approach.

 

By involving employees in this process, we encourage ownership and buy-in. Employees on the factory floor or in other operational roles often have valuable insights and perspectives that can contribute to effective planning. When they feel heard and involved, they become more committed and engaged in executing the initiatives.

 

Limiting Tactical Initiatives

When translating strategic priorities into actionable initiatives, it is crucial to maintain focus and limit the number of tactical initiatives. We recommend having no more than three tactical initiatives for each strategic priority. Considering that we also suggest having no more than three strategic priorities, this means you will have a maximum of nine key projects running in your business at any given time.

 

Defining Accountability, Metrics, and Timelines

Each tactical initiative should have clear elements to ensure its success. Firstly, there should be a designated leader who is fully accountable for driving the initiative forward. This person will take responsibility for expanding the business into Alaska or any other defined initiative.

 

Furthermore, it is essential to establish critical metrics associated with each initiative. For instance, if you're expanding into Alaska, your metric might be sales generated specifically from that region. These metrics should be monitored frequently, whether on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis, to track progress effectively.

 

Lastly, every tactical initiative should have a defined timeline or deadline. This timeline provides a timeframe within which the initiative should be completed. It helps create a sense of urgency and ensures that progress is measured and aligned with broader strategic goals.

 

The Power of Daily Action Plans

Just as mighty rivers are fed by small tributaries, big strategies are accomplished through daily action plans. Visualize the flow of a river system, where small streams and canals contribute to larger rivers, lakes, and seas. In a similar manner, breaking down strategic priorities into actionable initiatives ensures that progress is made through manageable daily tasks.

 

As CEOs and divisional presidents take this course, it is understandable that some might question their role in creating detailed action plans. However, it is crucial to recognize that there are individuals within your organization who excel at detailed planning. Your role, as a leader, is to ensure that these plans are in place, that someone is accountable, and that there are clear timelines, deadlines, and metrics associated with each initiative.

 

Involving Employees and Avoiding Overload

When involving employees in the planning process, it's essential to consider their existing workloads. Employees already have daily responsibilities and may find it challenging to take on additional tasks. Layering too much on top of their current workload can be detrimental and hinder productivity.

 

To avoid overloading employees, it is crucial to strike a balance. Some employees may appreciate the opportunity to work on projects and innovative initiatives. However, it is important to recognize that there are limits. It may be more effective to consider hiring additional staff or creating separate divisions to handle specific initiatives. By doing so, you ensure that the workload remains manageable, and employees can focus on their core responsibilities.

 

Investments and Continuous Improvement

One aspect of successful planning is anticipating future investments. This may involve talent acquisition, equipment procurement, or establishing separate divisions. By looking ahead and making the necessary investments, you can ensure that your initiatives have the resources they need to thrive. This includes considering capacity, bandwidth, and potential savings down the line.

 

At the ground level of your business, where results are driven, continuous improvement is essential. This implies the need to explore new initiatives, enhance processes, and drive growth. However, it's important to strike a balance between introducing new initiatives and ensuring that existing operations run smoothly.

 

Employees play a critical role in the execution of tactical initiatives. Their involvement and engagement are crucial for success. By involving them in the planning process, you can tap into their insights and ideas, fostering a sense of ownership and buy-in. This can be done through brainstorming sessions or other collaborative approaches.

 

The Plan-Do-Check-Adjust Cycle

Continuous improvement is an integral part of business success. It involves making real improvements to products, processes, and strategies. One popular model that guides this cycle of improvement is the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust framework. It begins with planning, followed by acting, checking the results, and making necessary adjustments based on feedback and metrics.

 

Balancing the Broomstick Analogy and the Power of Adjusting

To solidify the idea of flexibility in tactical initiatives, let's consider the analogy of balancing a broomstick. Picture yourself as a child trying to balance a broomstick on your finger. You notice that while the top of the broomstick remains relatively still, your finger at the bottom is constantly adjusting to maintain balance.

 

Similarly, in strategic planning, you keep your eyes on the top priority or objective while constantly making adjustments to keep it on track. Tactical initiatives must be adaptable and adjustable as they unfold. Sometimes, things don't go exactly as planned, and that's where the power of adjustment comes into play.

 

The Art of Delegation

Delegation is a critical skill that leaders must develop. It involves entrusting tasks and responsibilities to others within the organization. Proper delegation is essential for preventing stagnation and empowering team members.

 

While some executives may believe they can complete tasks faster and better than their subordinates, relying solely on oneself is not a sustainable or scalable approach. Delegation allows leaders to leverage the talents and skills of their team members. It frees up time for leaders to focus on higher-level strategic activities and enables the growth and development of employees.

 

The Power of Constructive Conversations

One of the most powerful tools in a leader's toolkit is the ability to engage in constructive conversations. A simple phrase that can foster growth and encourage participation is, "I don't know, what do you think?" This phrase prompts team members to think critically, share their perspectives, and be part of the planning process.

 

By continuously asking for input and involving employees in decision-making, leaders empower their team members. It cultivates a culture of analysis, decision-making, and accountability. Through these conversations, leaders can develop a team that can make sound decisions and analyze situations effectively.

 

The Tactical Initiative Tracking Sheet

To facilitate effective planning and tracking of tactical initiatives, we provide a Tactical Initiative Tracking Sheet. This tool assists participants in this seminar by offering a structured format for capturing and monitoring progress.

 

The sheet includes three sections: strategic priorities, tactical initiatives, and financial impact. Participants identify the strategic priorities that align with their long-term goals. Within each strategic priority, they break it down into no more than three tactical initiatives. Each tactical initiative is assigned a responsible individual who will drive its execution.

 

Furthermore, the sheet helps track important metrics such as sales, operating profit, and the cost associated with the initiative. By completing this chart, leaders can gain a comprehensive overview of the progress and financial impact of each initiative.

 

Constructive Conversations and Accountability

One significant advantage of using the Tactical Initiative Tracking Sheet is that it facilitates constructive conversations among team members. Seeing the initiatives in writing creates a sense of tangibility and helps foster agreement and alignment.

 

Discussions centered around the form, such as confirming the strategic priorities, agreeing on the tactical initiatives, and assessing the financial impact, become highly productive. This process also establishes a formal line of authority and accountability. The responsible person for each initiative is clearly identified, enabling them to take ownership and responsibility for driving the initiative forward.

 

In larger organizations, this process may involve different teams or individuals for each strategic priority. However, the constructive conversations and agreements reached through the tracking sheet create a shared understanding and commitment to the initiatives.

 

Furthermore, attaching incentives specifically tied to the targeted goals within the tactical initiatives can enhance accountability and motivation. Incentives provide an additional layer of motivation for individuals to achieve the desired outcomes.

 

Avoiding Employee Whiplash

Employee whiplash occurs when employees experience frequent shifts in priorities and initiatives, leading to confusion, frustration, and decreased productivity. A well-defined and communicated set of strategic priorities and tactical initiatives can help mitigate employee whiplash.

 

By clearly outlining the goals, timelines, and responsibilities associated with each initiative, employees gain clarity on what is expected of them. This stability and clear direction enable employees to focus their efforts and make meaningful contributions to the organization's objectives.

 

The Role of Project Planning

Project planning plays a critical role in the execution of tactical initiatives. While some action plans may consist of only a few steps, other projects require more detailed planning. Fortunately, there are various tools available to assist with project planning, ranging from sophisticated software like Microsoft Project to simpler options like a "to-do, doing, done" board. Choose a tool that suits your organization's needs and find someone who excels at project planning to create a comprehensive plan.

 

Complex Projects and Detailed Plans

Certain industries, such as construction, heavily rely on detailed project plans for successful execution. If you are undertaking complex initiatives like implementing an ERP system, it becomes crucial to break them down into smaller, manageable components. For example, you may have tactical initiatives related to customer service, financial planning, or manufacturing within the larger ERP implementation project. Each of these initiatives requires a detailed project plan with dependencies, deadlines, and goals.

 

Tracking Progress and Key Metrics

To ensure effective execution, it is essential to establish metrics and tracking mechanisms. As an executive, you should identify specific metrics related to each tactical initiative and regularly monitor them. These metrics can be financial indicators, operational benchmarks, or any other relevant measurements. By tracking progress, you can gauge the success of your initiatives and make data-driven decisions.

 

Implementing a Cadence of Reporting

Establishing a cadence of reporting and accountability is crucial for effective follow-up and communication. Determine the frequency and format of reporting that suits each individual and initiative. Some team members may prefer less frequent check-ins, while others may benefit from more regular communication. Find the right balance that allows you to stay informed without micromanaging the process.

 

Addressing Off-Course Initiatives

Despite careful planning, there may be instances where certain teams or initiatives deviate from the intended path. This challenge will be addressed in more detail in the execution phase. However, it is essential to recognize the potential for such situations and prepare strategies to realign and get back on track.

 

Conclusion

Implementing tactical initiatives requires careful project planning, tracking progress through key metrics, and establishing effective communication channels. Detailed project plans, developed by skilled professionals, serve as roadmaps for successful execution. By regularly monitoring progress, establishing reporting cadences, and addressing off-course initiatives, you can ensure alignment with strategic priorities.

 

Resource planning plays a crucial role in identifying capable individuals and allocating resources effectively. In the upcoming section, we will explore resource planning strategies to optimize the execution of your tactical initiatives. Remember, effective execution transforms strategic priorities into tangible results, driving your organization toward its desired future.