012: Connect the Dots • Strategy to Execution

Connect the Dots • Strategy to Execution

Strategic execution occurs when you connect the dots from your mission and vision through your strategic and tactical plan ultimately leading to execution and excellence.  

Do you know companies or people who fail to execute?  Let's explore the importance and components of each dot for our success.   

Have you ever experienced frustration or confusion about your companies priorities or feel like you are not spending your time on the right things? 

Have you worked for a company where there is lack of alignment connecting the dots from mission to execution?

Have you ever gotten to the end of the year and wondered what you accomplished?

I have seen how the lack of connections has prevented individuals, departments, companies, and community organizations from executing on their mission and achieving excellence. 

Regarding mission execution, I have experienced companies and organizations that did not share their strategies during onboarding and it was impossible to find the alignment. 

Upon taking a new position, I identified that my department was working on over 300 projects but the alignment with company goals was not apparent and there were honestly too many priorities which prevented execution.  I needed to find a way to connect the dots so that I could prioritize my activities and lead my team.

So there is a solution to prevent these lack connections.  Based on my research of successful companies and entrepreneurs.  There are 6 steps or "dots" that should be aligned or connected to ensure successful execution.  They include

1. Mission/ Vision / Values
2. Strategies / Goals / Objectives
3. Recruiting / Job Descriptions
4. Performance Management / Measures
5. Professional Development / Growth Plans
6. Execution / Excellence

1. Mission/ Vision / Values

This is the foundation of where you start. You must know your personal or company mission/vision and values before you go to the next steps.  Simon Sinek speaks a lot about starting with WHY.  This is the first step.

• Mission:
• Who we are
• What business are we IN, 

What is our PURPOSE and WHY?

• Vision:
• What we want to become
• Values:
• How we want to be

2. Strategies / Goals / Objectives

When you start you strategic plan, you will begin with the situational analysis and then proceed to the strategies, goals, and objectives.  Eventually you will write the tactics. 

• Situational Analysis:

The starting point for developing strategy

Understanding and insight into the present situation and external forces

In next weeks blog 013 we will dive deeper into situational analysis and the following week 014 will look at tactics.  

• Strategies:
• How we will achieve our vision
• Goals:
• What we must achieve to get there
• Objectives:
• How we will gauge our degree of success
• Concrete, measurable milestone on the way to achieving a goal

Keep in mind as you develop your plan that strategy can be implemented in 3 ways – with existing resources if there is capacity, reallocation of resources, or justifying new resources through a business plan.   All are important but do not commit to strategies that require resources without the appropriate approvals. 

3. Recruiting / Job Descriptions

Recruiting and retaining top talent is critical to success.  This starts with ensuring your job descriptions meet your department needs and includes your interview technique.  

• Job Description:
• Responsibilities
• Requirements

Education/Experience

Special Skills / Competencies

Technical / Behavioral

Accountability / Complexity  

Competency: 

An observable and measurable knowledge, skill, ability (KSA) or other characteristic that contributes to successful job performance

• Interviewing:
• Behavioral interview questions to assess the job description

4. Performance Management / Measures

In advance of the beginning of the year you'll want to create and communicate the details of the performance review components.

• Performance Management / Reviews:
• Goals/Objectives (WHAT)

Measures 

• Behaviors/Success Factors (HOW)

Throughout the year, it is important to track and report on these goals and objectives. Presenting the data into visual dashboards is most helpful.

• Measures/Dashboards
• Key Performance Indicators 

5. Professional Development / Growth Plans

Another important dot to connect is supporting and discussing growth development plans with your teams.  

• Continuous Professional Development/Growth Plans:
• Competency Assessment 
• Strengths
• Opportunities
• Action Plan for development activities
• Career Ladder 

6. Execution / Excellence

There are some important questions to ask yourself as you think about you actions for execution.

• Is what I am doing "connecting the dots" and adding value?
• How do I spend my time?
• What do you prioritize?
• What can I do today to execute?

There are also foundational tools that are important to use as you execute. They include:

• Meeting / Committee Management
• Project Management / Performance Improvement
• Knowledge Management
• Institution Templates

People and companies do not usually fail at strategy, they fail at execution.  There are some clear reasons for failure to execute. 

The 10 Reasons Why People and Companies Fail to EXECUTE

I hope this has helped provide perspective on Connecting the Dots from Strategy to Execution. I have compiled all of the dots into a framework called Connector Alignment™.

In this week's blog post at kimberboothe.com/blog/012, you will be able to access the Connector Alignment™ • Framework as the free blog download.  You can use this tool to visually see the connected dots in the framework.  You can then assess which dots you have complete within your organization or what you should work on.

Join the ongoing conversation at kimberboothe.com and subscribe to my email list so we can connect regularly and you will receive content I don't share anywhere else. 

Now it's your turn:

Share your WHY! and identify the areas of where you are most confident and which areas you want to develop more.  Share your insights and what action you will take in the comments section at kimberboothe.com/blog/012. 

Be bold, be a connector and pharmovator, and excel your life and advance pharmacy practice.

Click below to access your download.