Let’s get right to it. In their book The Balanced Scorecard, authors David Norton and Robert Kaplan note that 90 percent of organizations fail to execute their strategies successfully. Wow!
Did we just read that correctly? Yes, they have a strategy but 90% of companies don’t execute on it. So what does that mean? It means their Vision is going nowhere.
Barriers to Execution
Needless to say, this is both an alarming and dismal statistic. But it’s not surprising.
I see this every day in practice. Good, solid companies invest countless hours, research and resources in developing a strategic plan to achieve their Vision . . . only to find at the end of the year that “business” got in the way of execution.
I can tell you the list of “excuses” is endless but here are the most common – and truly formidable – barriers that get in the way of achieving strategic visions.
- We get caught up in the “day to day’ business responsibilities: Let’s face it, the “now” is more pressing and present than the future. Fulfilling a Vision requires discipline and making it a priority, something overwhelmed leaders often choose to avoid for another day.
- We spend all of our time putting out “fires”: The Burning Platforms always take precedence because they’re happening NOW. But what if I told you that strategy execution could help eliminate some of these Burning Platforms? Think about it.
- We can’t align our priorities: You know the drill, which of our 10 top priorities is #1 today? There are so many things wrong with that statement! In my opinion, this is the #1 problem in EVERY company today.
- We have the “wrong people on the bus!”: I want to be clear . . . Just because you are good at creating the Vision doesn’t necessarily mean you should be the one executing it. Don’t lose sight of who really needs to execute and bring the Vision to life. It should be your “best of the best.”
- We do not have clear metrics, goals and/or timelines: Alignment to the Vision is difficult as is, but establishing and adhering to goals, timelines and metrics take time to develop. Once they are developed, then they need to be approved. Once approved, they need to be tracked. And on and on. This is a complex, long-term process. But one that can truly determines your success or failure.
- No one is really holding us accountable: Today’s business norms rewards those who “save the day” with the Burning Platforms. While great, we need to reward those who hold us accountable for plowing ahead with our Vision despite the Burning Platforms.
- The Vision outlasts Leadership, literally!: Sometimes there is so much turn over at the top, the Vision is around longer than management!
Roadmaps for Vision Fulfillment
Clearly, executing on a strategy is hard and shouldn’t be taken lightly. But there are tools that can help.
Here’s a roadmap I created, the SAOL (Soul) Vision Road Map, that outlines how to bring your Vision to life. The key is recognizing that this is a dynamic model requiring a flexible, agile mindset to continuously analyze, adapt and pivot when appropriate.
How to Use This Roadmap
- It all starts with the Vision: It provides the sense of direction for your employees and serves as your compass. Create your Vision at the highest level of the company to help ensure likelihood for success and better serve to integrate across your organization.
- Make sure your Strategies actually help fulfill your Vision: Make them specific and achievable within a limited timeframe, no longer than 12 months. Complete those first and then create your next ones.
- Integrate throughout your organization: This means both your Vision AND your Strategies. Make sure each department’s Vision and Strategies compliment the over-arching Vision and Strategies of the company.
- Translate those Strategies into things you can measure: Be clear on what “crossing the finish line” looks like and make sure everyone onboard is clear!
- Execute and ensure employees see how they contribute into the Vision: Align your employees’ work responsibilities and clearly show how they are contributing to the “higher purpose” of the Vision!
- Cross the Finish Line! Celebrate, recognize, evaluate and do it all over again!
Use this roadmap to Rise above the 90% of companies who fail to execute their vision! Be the leader you know you can be!
About Rubi Ho
Rubi Ho is an expert in Leadership and Management Consulting. The SAOL™ Methodology that he personally created is about helping Organizations, Teams and Leaders drive results, unity and alignment, and overall performance throughout all levels of a company!
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