Implementing Your Strategic Plan: How to Turn "Intent" into Effective Action for Sustainable Change

Rating:
Summary: The More Times Change...
Review: ...the more they stay the same. Despite the fact that this book was written and published more than five years ago, it's still the best book written on strategy execution and implementation. Alright,... I'll admit it: the book's title and cover design need a little work (author take note!!). However, if you're willing to look past these superficial flaws, you'll discover the definative book on strategy implementation -- even better than Larry Bossidy's fine "Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done." In addition to this book and Bossidy's "Execution," I'd also recommend that you consider Kotter's "Leading Change" and Smallwood, Ulrich, and Zenger's "Results-Based Leadership" (both five-star books!!). Bottom line? "Implementing Your Strategic Plan" is a must addition to your management library. Overall grade: B+/A.

Rating:
Summary: Making strategic intent into a reality.
Review: This book could have been titled "making change happen." The core of this book consists of a chapter by chapter discussion of the 18 keys to implementing the strategic plan. The 18 keys are grouped into five categories: setting accountability; enabling and aligning action; fixing the organization; providing an environment in which people can excel; and judging and rewarding. This is a superb, penetrating and detailed book which begins with a fascinating summary of findings from the author's survey of CEOs and key executives who were successful in implementing change. One insight stands out from these findings-teams don't develop paradigm shift strategies; CEOs do. Indeed Fogg states that the single most important factor in the change equation is leadership. With that truth set forth up front, we were confident that this book would be a rewarding experience; it was...and we highly recommend it!