strategy
implementation skills are not easily
mastered, unfortunately. In fact, virtually all
managers find implementation
the most difficult aspect of their jobs – more difficult than strategic
analysis or
strategy formulation.
U.S. managers
spend $ billions annually on strategic analysis and strategy
formulation. Managers themselves report that less than half the plans
resulting from these efforts are ever implemented.
Outside observers put the
success rate even lower: less than 10%.
Strategies that are not implemented constitute
little more than academic exercises. The ability to implement strategies is
one of the most valuable of
all managerial skills.
