Business strategy implementation is the plan of action or steps a business owner or manager takes when directing business operations. A strategy typically involves setting a long-term direction, scope, or allocation of resources, although some strategies may be more short-term. Implementing strategies can take copious amounts of time and effort by multiple individuals in an organization. Business owners and managers often look for ways to decrease the disruption of business operations during the business strategy implementation process. While some implementation tips are universal in the business environment, companies often tailor them to their operations.
Six supporting tips of business strategy implementation are common in business: active planning, organizational structure, human resources, annual plan process, connectivity, and control. Active planning is a process similar to proactive management. Owners and managers must fully commit to making plans and seeing that each step in the plan has a positive result. This practice falls under the philosophy of “you can only expect what you inspect.” Failing to actively plan and manage business strategy implementation can lead to sluggish business operations.
A company’s organizational structure is the internal framework that outlines the policies, procedures, and responsibilities of each individual in the company. Business strategies often work in tandem with a company’s organizational structure to ensure that each individual has specific tasks or activities to help promote and complete a business strategy implementation.
Human resources help business owners and managers adequately staff their company for business strategies. Most companies must create a mix of skilled and unskilled workers for operations. While skilled workers have technical knowledge to complete certain tasks, unskilled workers are less expensive and work best with basic, repetitive job functions. The proper mix of workers helps to ensure companies do not overpay for employees.
An annual business plan is a function where companies review their operations, goals, and strategies each year to ensure they remain on target and meet predetermined expectations. This process also allows companies to develop budgets to limit expenditures relating to business strategy implementation. Owners and managers can also use annual planning for making changes to strategies to coincide with changes in the economic market.
Connectivity ensures that a business can implement strategies that work together with other business processes and departments already in place. Completely overhauling a company’s processes may be unwise and not necessary to install a business strategy. This can also help lower operating costs. Control is a specific monitoring process companies use to ensure strategy implementation remains on track. This can include daily performance measurements or managers and employees who provide specific information to upper or executive management.
