Strategy Implementation & Control

Prof. Prashant Mehta

National Law University, Jodhpur

STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION AND CONTROL

Introduction
Interrelationship Between Strategy Formulation and
Implementation
Issues in Strategy Implementation
Organization and Strategy Implementation
Strategic Business Unit and Core Competence

Leadership and Strategic Implementation

Building Strategy and Supportive Corporate Culture

Introduction
Implementation of strategy is the process through which a chosen strategy

is put into action. It involves the design and management of systems to

achieve the best integration of people, structure, processes and resources in
achieving organizational objectives.
Implementation of Strategy affects an organization from top to bottom, it
affects all the functional and divisional areas of business.
Institutionalization of strategy
Setting Proper Organizational Climate

Developing Appropriate Operating Plans

Developing Appropriate Organization Structures
Review of Implemented Strategy

Strategy Formulation Implementation:

Interrelationship
Strategy implementation

means putting chosen

strategic decision into
action (strategic choice).

Allocation of resources
to new course of action
needs to be undertaken
besides need to adapt
organizations

structure

to the chose strategy.

The matrix shows various

combination
of strategy
formulation
and
implementation.

SOUND

Strategy fails because of

failed implementation and
not because of strategy
model.

B
(success)

FLAWED

Strategy formulation and

Strategy Implementation are
different and it needs to be
sound and excellent.

STRATEGY FORMULATION

Strategy Formulation Implementation:

Interrelationship

WEAK

EXCELLENT

STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION

Strategy Formulation Implementation:

Interrelationship
Square A shows formulation of competitive strategy but has difficulties in

implementing it successfully. This may be due to various factors like lack of

experience, lack of resources, missing leadership etc. Companies like to move from
square A to square B by realizing their implementation difficulties.
Square D shows formulation of flawed strategy but company has excellent

implementation

skills.

Thus

they

should

redesign

their

strategy

before

implementation.
Square C shows neither the sound strategy formulation nor is effective in strategy
implementation. They should redesign business model by implementation execution

readjustment.
Square B is ideal situation where company has succeeded in designing a sound
competitive strategy besides effectively implementing it.

Strategy Formulation Implementation:

Interrelationship
Strategy is not a long term plan but rather consists of organizations attempt

to reach some future state by adapting is competitive position as

circumstances change.
In organizations that lack strategic direction there is tendency to look
inwards at time of stress, management to cut costs and shedding
unprofitable division. This means that focus is on efficiency (relationship
between inputs and outputs in short time horizon) rather than effectiveness
( attainment of desired competitive position).

Efficiency is introspective whereas effectiveness highlights the links between

the organization and its environment.

Strategy Formulation Implementation:

Interrelationship
In cell 1 organization thrives, since it is

output/input

ratio.

Where in cell 2 and cell 4 organization

is doomed unless it can establish

strategic direction. In cell 3 strategic
direction

is

present

to

ensure

effectiveness even if rather too much

input is being used to generate

outputs. Thus to be effective is to
survive whereas efficiency is not
sufficient for survival.

Efficient

efficient

1. Thrive

2. Die
Slowly

Inefficient

with

Operational Management

achieving what it aspires to achieve

3. Survive

4. Die
Quickly

Effective

Ineffective

Strategic Management

Strategy Formulation Implementation:

Interrelationship
STRATEGY FORMULATION

STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION

It is positioning forces before action.

It is managing forces during action.

It focuses on effectiveness.

It focuses on efficiency.

It is an intellectual process

It is primarily and operational process.

It

requires

good

intuitive

and

analytical skills.
It requires coordination among few
individuals.

It requires special motivational and

leadership skills.
It

requires

combination

of

many

individuals.

Concepts and tools do not differ

Concepts and tools varies substantially

greatly for small, large, profit or non

among small, large, profit or non profit

profit organization.

organization.

Strategy Formulation Implementation:

Interrelationship
Implementing strategy requires altering sales territories, adding new

departments,

closing

facilities,

hiring

new

employees,

changing

organizational pricing strategy, developing financial budgets, developing

new employee benefits, establishing cost control procedures, changing
advertising strategies, building new facilities, training new employees,
building MIS etc.
These types of activities differ greatly between manufacturing, service, and
governmental organizations.

Two types of linkage exists between tow phases of strategic management.

Forward linkage deals with impact of formulation and implementation
Backward linkage is concerned with impact in the opposite direction.

Strategy Formulation Implementation:

Interrelationship
Forward Linkage - Different elements in strategy formulation (objective

setting, environmental and organizational appraisal, strategic alternatives

and choice to strategic plan) determines the course that organization adopts
itself. Formulation and reformulation is continuous process.
Backward Linkage While dealing with strategic choice past strategic
actions also determine choice of strategy. Organizations tends to adopt
those strategies which can be implemented with the help of present
structure of resources combined with some additional effort. Such

incremental changes over a period of time take the organization from where
it is to where it wishes to be.

Issues in Strategy Implementation

Implementation task tests strategist ability to allocate resources, design

structures, formulate functional policies, identify leadership styles etc.

Strategies have to be activated through implementation and realize the
intent.
Strategies leads to plans. Plans result in different kinds of programmes
which includes goals, policies, procedures, rules and steps to be taken in
putting them into action.
Programs leads to formulation of the project which is time scheduled and
costs are predetermined. It requires allocation of funds based on capital
budgeting of the organization.
Projects creates need for infrastructure for day to day operations in

organization. Resource allocation is key to successful projects.

Issues in Strategy Implementation

Sequence in which strategy implementation issues are to be considered:
Project Implementation
Procedural Implementation

Resource Allocation

Structural Implementation
Functional Implementation
Behavioral Implementation

These activities are not performed in the same order (can be performed

simultaneously, can be repeated etc.).

Transition from strategy formulation to strategy implementation requires
shift in responsibility from strategist to divisional and functional managers
and their involvement should be maximum during strategy formulation.

Issues in Strategy Implementation

Management

issues

central

to

strategy

implementation

includes

establishing annual objectives, devising policies, allocating resources,

altering an existing organizational structure, restructuring, reengineering,
revising rewards and incentive plans, minimizing resistance to change,
matching manager with strategy, developing strategy supportive culture,
adapting production and operation processes, developing effective human
resource function and even downsizing to give firm a new direction.
Strategy implementation is key, top down communication must be clear for

developing bottom up support, competitions intelligence gathering and

benchmarking effort of employees is very important and challenge for a
strategist. Provide training to all to be world class performers.

Organization and Strategy Implementation

Strategic change requires change in structure of organization.
Structure largely dictates how objectives and policies will be established and can
significantly impact all other strategy implementation activities.
Structure dictates how major resources will be allocated.

There is no optimal organizational design or structure for a given strategy or

the type of organization and what is appropriate for one organization may
not work for other organization even though industry is organized in same
way.
For example consumer good companies tend to emulate the divisional structure
by product form or organization.
Small firms are functionally structured (centralized)
Medium sized firms are divisionally structured (decentralized)
Large firms are structured on basis of SBU (Strategic Business Unit / Matrix
Structure).

With growth of organization structure usually changes from simple to

complex as a result of linking of several basic strategies.

Organization and Strategy Implementation

Structural change is not affected by change in external and internal factors.

With change in firms strategy organizational structure becomes ineffective.

For example Too many levels of management, too many meetings
attended by too many people, interdepartmental conflict resolution, large
span of control, and too many unachieved objectives.
Sometimes structure can shape the choice of strategy and to know what
type of structural change is needed to implement new strategies and how
these changes can be best accomplished.
The organizational structures studied are : Division by
Functional, Geographic, Product, Customer, Divisional process, Strategic business
unit (SBU), matrix

Strategy Structure Relationship: Chandlers

New Administrative
Problem Emerges

New Strategy is
Formed

Organizational
Performance Improves

Organizational
Performance Declines

A New Organizational
Structure is
Established

The Functional Structure

The most common structure found within organizations, functional

structure consists of units or departmental groups identified by specialty,

such as engineering, development, marketing, finance, sales or human
resources that are controlled from the top level of management.
Advantages: Functional structure promotes specialization of labour,
encourages efficiency, minimizes the need for an elaborate control system,
and allows rapid decision making.
Disadvantages: It forces accountability at the top, minimize career
development opportunities, low employee morale, line/staff conflicts, poor
delegation of authority, inadequate planning for products and markets.
Mostly it is abandoned in favour of decentralization and improved
accountability.

The Functional Structure

CEO

Corporate
R&D

Finance

Corporate
Finance

Production

Strategic
Planning

Engineering

Corporate
Marketing

Accounting

Corporate
Human
Resources

Sales and
Marketing

Human
Resources

Proper match between strategy and structure gives competitive edge or else it
will result into failure.
Companies must be flexible, innovative, and creative in global economy to
exploit their core competencies. Useful Information contributes the for the
formation and use of effective structures and controls, which yield improved
decision making.

The Functional Structure

With growth of companies in size, and level of diversification, new strategies
my be required. Organizational structure is companies formal configuration
of its intended roles, procedures, governance mechanism, authority and
decision making processes etc. The structure adopted must fit with the
companies strategy.
Simple organization structure offers little specialization of tasks, few rules,
little formalization, direct involvement of owner-manager in all operations
and decision making.
Functional structure is used by large companies and companies having low
level of diversification. It also impedes communication and coordination and
have narrow view.
Use of multidivisional structure where each division represents separate
business entity, each division would house its own functional hierarchy,
divisional managers will be responsible to manage day to day responsibility
besides a small corporate office that would determine long term strategic
direction and exercise overall financial control over semi-autonomous
divisions.

The Divisional Structure

When a company expands to supply goods or services to a variety of
customers, offers a variety of different products or are engaged in business
in several different markets, the company could adopt a divisional
organizational structure.
A divisional structure groups its divisions according to the specific demands
of products, markets or customers. Unlike the functional organizational
structure, where the different organizational functions of the company
conduct activities satisfying all customers, markets and products, the
divisional structure focuses on a higher degree of specialization within a
specific division, so that each division is given the resources, and autonomy,
to swiftly react to changes in their specific business environment. Therefore,
each division often has all the necessary resources and functions within it to
satisfy the demands put on the division
Each division will likely be structured as a functional structure. A company
with a divisional structure therefore has a subset of different and
specialized SBU's satisfying the demands of different customers, markets or
products.

The Divisional Structure

In divisional structure, the
organization is organized into
various divisions based on
basically three criteria product,
market
of
geographical
structures.
Advantages:

Market Information
Management Motivation
Management Development
Specialist Knowledge
Timely Decisions
Allowing Strategic roles for Top
Management

The Divisional Structure

The benefit of this organizational structure is that companies are able to
specialize its activities into self-reliant divisions, each capable of satisfying
e.g. customer demands and changes within the business environment.

The Strategic Business Unit (SBU) Structure

Large, diversified companies organize themselves into divisions to break the
management of the company into smaller, organizationally cohesive parts.
The company headquarters still gives the divisions strategic direction.
Strategic Business Units, or SBUs, are organizationally complete and
separate units that develop their own strategic direction. They still report
back to company headquarters but operate as independent businesses
organized according to their target markets. They are often large enough to
have their own internal organizational divisions.
SBU advantages
SBU supports cooperation between the departments of the company which has a
similar range of activities;
Improvement of strategic management
Improvement of accounting operations,
Easier planning of activities

The Strategic Business Unit (SBU) Structure

SBU Disadvantages
Difficulty with contact with higher management

May cause of internal tension due to difficult access to internal and external sources of funding,
May be the cause of the unclear situation with regard to the management activities.

The Matrix Structure

The matrix structure is an organizational design that groups employees by
both function and product. The organizational structure is very flat, and the
structure of the matrix is differentiated into whatever functions are needed
to accomplish certain goals. Each functional worker usually reports to the
functional heads, but do not normally work directly under their supervision.
Instead, the worker is controlled by the membership of a certain project,
and each functional worker usually works under the supervision of a project
manager. This way, each worker has two superiors, who will jointly ensure
the progress of the project. The functional head may be more interested in
developing the most exiting products or technologies, whereas the project
manager may be more concerned with keeping deadlines and controlling
product costs.
When work is accomplished, the project team may get dissolved, and
workers from different functional areas may get reassigned to other projects
and tasks.

Matrix Structure

The Matrix Structure

The peculiarities or characteristics a matrix organization are: Hybrid Structure : It combines functional organization with a project organization.
Functional Manager : The Functional Manager has authority over the technical
(functional) aspects of the project.
Project Manager : The Project manager has authority over the administrative aspects
of the project. He has full authority over the financial and physical resources which he
can use for completing the project.
Problem of Unity of Command This is so, because the subordinates receive orders
from two bosses viz., the Project Manager and the Functional Manager.
Specialization : In a Matrix organization, there is a specialization. The project manager
concentrates on the administrative aspects of the project while the functional
manager concentrates on the technical aspects of the project.
Suitability : Matrix organization is suitable for multi-project organizations. It is mainly
used by large construction companies, that construct huge residential and commercial
projects in different places at the same time. Each project is looked after (handled) by
a project manager. He is supported by many functional managers and employees of
the company.

Advantages of Matrix Structure

The advantages of a matrix organization are: Sound Decisions : In a Matrix Organization, all decisions are taken by experts.
Development of Skills : It helps the employees to widen their skills.
Top Management can concentrate on Strategic Planning : They can delegate all
the routine, repetitive and less important work to the project managers.
Responds to Changes in Environment : because it takes quick decisions.
Specialization : In a matrix organization, there is a specialization.
Optimum Utilization of Resources : In the matrix organization, many projects are
run at the same time. Therefore, it makes optimum use of the human and physical
resources.
Motivation : In a matrix organization, the employees work as a team. So, they are
motivated to perform better.
Higher Efficiency : The Matrix organization results in a higher efficiency. It gives
high returns at lower costs.

Limitations of Matrix Organization

The limitations of a matrix organization are: Increase in Work Load : In a matrix organization, work load is very high.
High Operational Cost : In a matrix organization, the operational cost is very high.
This is because it involves a lot of paperwork, reports, meetings, etc.
Absence of Unity of Command : In a matrix organization, there is no unity of
command. This is because, each subordinate has two bosses, viz., Functional
Manager and Project Manager.
Difficulty of Balance : It is also difficult to balance the authority & responsibilities
of the project manager and functional manager.
Power Struggle : In a matrix organization, there may be a power struggle
between the project manager and the functional manager. Each one looks after
his own interest, which causes conflicts.
Morale : In a matrix organization, the morale of the employees is very low. This is
because they work on different projects at different times.
Complexity : Matrix organization is very complex and the most difficult type of
organization.
Shifting of Responsibility : If the project fails, the project manager may shift the
responsibility on the functional manager.

Old New Organization Design

Old Organization Design

New Organization Design

One large corporation

Mini business units and cooperative

relationships

Vertical Communication

Horizontal Communication

Centralized Top Down Decision Making

Decentralized Participative Decision Making

Vertical Integration

Outsourcing and Virtual Organizations

Work Quality Teams

Autonomous Work Teams

Functional Work Teams

Cross Functional Work Teams

Minimal Training

Extensive Training

Specialized Job Design Focused on

Individual

Value chain Team Focused Job Design

Network Structure
A group of legally independent companies or subsidiary business units that
use various methods of coordinating and controlling their interaction
in order to appear like a larger entity. In a business context, three
main types of network organization are typically seen:
Internal where a large company has separate units acting as profit centers
Stable where a central company outsources some work to others, and
Dynamic where a network integrator outsources heavily to other companies.

A corporation organized in this manner is often called a virtual organization

because it is composed of a series of project groups or collaborations linked
by constantly changing non-hierarchical, cobweb like networks.
This structure is important in unstable conditions where regular employees
are replaced with contract laborer or suppliers contracts are for specific
project and length of time etc.
The 'wiring' of information-age organizations needs to be different and
more complex. This has given rise to the concept of the Network
Organization.

Network Structure
A joint venture of companies for sharing skill or core competencies to
manufacture a product or provide a service. The companies rely on
relationships between people across structural, temporal and geographic
boundaries.
It is more than outsourcing and has flexibility as in a network structure
there is a continuous change in partners and the arrangements are goal
oriented and loose. All efforts are made to bring about new products and
services. The process changes more quickly for innovative products.
The characteristics of a network organization are:

Independent teams
Departments which share common values
Projects which support each other
Multiple links between projects
Information and Communications Technology is used to connect the projects.
There is a key coordinating role for the Chief Executive to construct the teams and
manage the interrelationship of projects (a kind of 'air traffic control').

Network Structure
An example of a networked organization is
Asea Brown Boveri. This giant corporation split
its business into 1,300 companies as separate
and distinct business units. All the energy and
resources of the corporate centre are then
geared to facilitating cross-company cooperation, with computer networks and
knowledge sharing being at the centre of this
process.

SBU and Core Competence

Strategic business units are absolutely essential for multi product

organizations. These business units are basically known as profit centres.

They are focused towards a set of products and are responsible for each and
every decision / strategy to be taken for that particular set of products.
An autonomous division or organizational unit, small enough to be flexible
and large enough to exercise control over most of the factors affecting
its long-term performance. Because strategic business units are more agile
(and usually have independent missions and objectives), they allow

the owning conglomerate to respond quickly to changing economic

or market situations.

Attributes of SBU
A scientific method of grouping the businesses of multi-business
corporation which helps firm in strategic planning.
Improvement over territorial grouping of business / strategic planning.
SBU is grouping of related businesses that can be taken up for strategic
planning.
Unrelated product / business in any group are separated based on criteria of
functional relation.
Grouping of businesses on SBU lines helps the firm in strategic planning by
removing confusion and vagueness and provides right setting for correct
strategic planning.
Each SBU has distinct set of competitors and its own distinct strategy.
Each SBU will have a CEO who will be responsible for strategic planning for
the SBU and its profit performance. He will also exercise control over
activities of SBU.

Related Set of SBU or Not? / Characteristics

SBU might be build on similar technologies and provide similar sorts of
products / services.
SBU might be serving similar or different markets. Even if technology /
products differ it may be that customers are similar.
Technologies for frozen food, washing powders, and butter production may be
very different but they are all sold through retail operations (Unilever).

It may be different competencies on which the competitive advantage of

different SBUs are built.
For example Unilever may argue that the marketing skills associated with the
three product markets are similar etc.

The three Important Characteristics of SBU are:

It is a single business or collection of related businesses

It has its own competitors
It has a manager who is accountable for its operation
It is an area that can be independently planned for within the organization

The Value Chain Analysis: By Michael Porter

Can be used to examine the various activities of the firm and how they

interact in order to provide a source of competitive advantage by:

Performing these activities better and At a lower cost than the competitors

Types of Firms Activities

The value chain is basically the set of activities that an organization

performs. Primary activities are directly involved in serving the customer

while secondary support the primary ones.
Most importantly of all, understand which ones add value to the customer.
This type of analysis can help in understanding which activities should be
outsourced and which ones should remain in house or be bought in
(insourcing).
Primary - Those that are involved in the creation, sale and transfer of products

(including after-sales service)

Support - those that merely support the primary activities.

Primary Activities
Inbound logistics is concerned with receiving, storing, distributing inputs

(e.g. Handling of raw materials, warehousing, inventory control) .

Operations - comprise the transformation of the inputs into the final
product form (e.g. Production, assembly, and packaging)
Outbound logistics - involve the collecting, storing, and distributing the
product to the buyers (e.g. Processing of orders,

warehousing of finished

goods, and delivery)

Marketing and sales - how buyers can be convinced to purchase the product
(e.g. Advertising, promotion, distribution)
Service - involves how to maintain the value of the product after it is
purchased (e.g. Installation, repair, maintenance, and training).

Secondary Activities
Procurement - concerned with the tasks of purchasing inputs such as raw

materials, equipment, and even labor

Technology Development - these activities are intended to improve the
product and the process, can occur in many parts of the firm.
Human Resource Management - involved in recruiting, hiring, training,
development and compensation
Firm Infrastructure - the activities which are not specific to any activity area
such as general management, planning, finance, and accounting are
categorized under firm infrastructure.

Identifying Core Competences

Core competencies differentiate an organization from its competitionthey

create a companys competitive advantage in the marketplace. Typically, a

core competency refers to a companys set of skills or experience in some
activity, rather than physical or financial assets. An organizational core
competency is an organizations strategic strength.
Eg: Hondas strategic strength, for example, lies in its small engine design and
manufacturing; Sony has a core competency in miniaturization; Federal Express
has a core competency in logistics and customer service.

Core competency is an area of specialized expertise that is the result of

harmonizing complex streams of technology and work activity. Identifying
and developing your companys core competencies are management keys to
sustaining your companys long-term competitive advantage.

Identifying Core Competences

Three tests can be applied to determine a core competency:
A core competency must be capable of developing new products and services and
must provide potential access to a wide variety of markets.
A core competency must make a significant contribution to the perceived benefits
of the end product.
A core competency should be difficult for competitors to imitate. In many
industries, such competencies are likely to be unique.

In determining your companys core competencies, you need to ask what is

the underlying skill, ability, knowledge, experience, technology or process

that enables your company to provide its unique set of products / services.

Identifying Core Competences

You next need to determine how you can use your companys core

competencies to develop strategic responsiveness to gain competitive

advantage. High-performing companies develop new core competencies
and expand their existing ones to enter new and future markets.
Apples unique competence seems to be its product design process. Simplicity
turned out to be the core attribute that made the iPod a revolutionary product,
one that changed consumer expectations.

Company executives should be aware that even the most successful strategy

will fail unless it is continually monitored and refreshed to meet changing

market conditions.

Three Tests to True Core Competences:

Relevance: Firstly, the competence must give your customer something that
strongly influences him or her to choose your product or service. If it does
not, then it has no effect on your competitive position and is not a core
competence.
Difficulty of Imitation: Secondly, the core competence should be difficult to
imitate. This allows you to provide products that are better than those of
your competition. And because you're continually working to improve these
skills, means that you can sustain its competitive position.
Breadth of Application: Thirdly, it should be something that opens up a
good number of potential markets. If it only opens up a few small, niche
markets, then success in these markets will not be enough to sustain
significant growth.
An example: You might consider strong industry knowledge and expertise to be a
core competence in serving your industry. However, if your competitors have
equivalent expertise, then this is not a core competence. All it does is make it
more difficult for new competitors to enter the market.

Examples of Core Competency

Eg: How small shops compete with supermarkets in grocery retailing.
Supermarkets core competency is lower prices is due to merchandizing, lower cost
supplies and in store management where as corner shop gains advantage by
concentrating more on convenience and service.
Note core competency between rival supermarkets.

In auto industry Japanese core competency was zero defect manufacturing,

Ford and GM by market access and dealer network, to provide unique
product design and low volumes of manufacturing / reduced life cycle of
products.
Core competency helps organizations to stretch into new opportunities and
provide value added service.
Value chain analysis provides long term competitive position in markets.

Audit resources- core resources

The resource audit identifies the resources available to an organisation in supporting
its strategies both from within and outside the organisation

Resources can be grouped

Physical resources

Material assets
Immobility
Machines
Others
Current assets
Inventory
Nature of assets
age
condition
location

Human resources

Financial resources

Intangibles

Number of employees
Skills
Education
Experience
Loyalty
Corporate culture

Equity
Debt
Credibility
Relationship with
Suppliers
Investors
Bankers
Managing cash

Goodwill
Loyalty of consumers
Brand name
Good contacts with
Politicians
CEOs
Corporate image

Audit resources- core resources

Define core resources

Resources

Easy to
imitate

Difficult to
imitate

Necessary
Resources

Unique
Resources

Same as
competitors

Better than
competitors

Core Resources

COMPETENCES
How an organisation employs and deploys its resources
Efficiency and effectiveness of physical, financial, human and intellectual
resources
How they are managed
Cooperation between people
Adaptability
Innovation
Customer and supplier relationships
Learning
The differences between resources and competences
Resources

Competences

Tangible

Intangible

Measureble

Mostly difficult to measure

Easy to identify the owners

Difficult to identify the owners

You can buy and sell

You can acquire by learnind by doing

Analysing competences and core competences

The competence undertake the activities of the organisation. It shows how to link the
different activities together and how to deploy resources to sustain excellent performance
Bases of
competences
Cost efficiency

Value added

Managing linkages

Robustness

Economies of scale: offers the ability in mass consumer advertising,

Supply costs: well managed input costs, with IT or personal networks
Experience: the cumulative experience decrease the R+D and unit costs

How well are matched the products/services to the identified needs of the
chosen customers. Value added activity must be done from the viewpoint
of the customer or user of the production or service.

Competences are likely to be more robust and difficult to imitate if there

are linkages within the organisations value chain and linkages into the
supply and distribution channels.

The strategic importance of an organisations competences relates to how

easy or difficult they are to imitate.

Managing Linkages
Core competencies are likely to be ore robust and difficult to imitate if they

relate to the management of linkages within the organization value chain

and linkages into supply and distribution chains.
Specialization is key and so is coordination of activities.
The management of internal linkages in the value chain would create
competitive advantage in number of ways such as:
There may be important linkage between primary activities. ( high levels of
inventory may ease production but will add to overall cost of production).

Linkages between Primary activities like Marketing and Production and so on.
Management of linkage between Primary activity and Support activity provides
core competency (investment in infrastructure, computer technology etc.)

Managing Linkages
Linkages between different support activities. Eg. Extent to which human
development is tune with new technologies etc.
Besides managing internal linkages organizations needs to complement /
coordinate activities with those of suppliers, channel members, and
customers. This can be achieved by:
Vertical integration to improve performance through ownership of more parts of

value system making more linkages internal to the organization.

Controlling performance of suppliers is critical to enhance quality and reduce
costs.
Total quality management which improves performance through closer working

relationships with specialists within the value chain. Like involving suppliers and
distributors at design stage of product or project.
Merchandising activities which manufacturers undertake with their distributors is
much improved.

Leadership and Strategic Implementation

Businesses today face change on all fronts economic, regulatory,
competitive, customer, and access to resources. Consequently, every
company is adjusting its strategy and that implies change. The success of
your strategy depends on your people will they be able to implement the
strategy and achieve the goals?
Strategic leadership provides the vision, direction, the purpose for growth,
and context for the success of the corporation. It also initiates "outside-thebox" thinking to generate future growth. Strategic leadership is not about
micromanaging business strategies. Rather, it provides the umbrella under
which businesses devise appropriate strategies and create value.
If you are a leader at any level, your people look to you for guidance on
what needs to be done, and how. The key requirements of leaders are to:

Set the strategy

Communicate the strategy
Implement the strategy through people
Get results

Roles to Play For Good Strategy Execution

Staying on top of what is happening, closely monitoring progress, fretting out issues,
learning what obstacle lie in path of good strategic implementation.
Promoting the culture of Esprit de corps that mobilizes and energizes organizational
members to execute strategy in competent fashion and perform at high level.
Keeping organizations responsive to changing conditions, alert for new

opportunities, innovative ideas, ahead of rivals in developing competitively valuable

competencies and capabilities.
Exercising ethics leadership and model conduct and Pushing corrective actions to
improve strategy execution and overall performance.

The role of leader is Introducing Change, Integrating Conflicting Interests,

Developing Leadership Effectiveness of Managers, Developing Appropriate
Organizational Climate, Motivational system, Clarity of goals, Relationships,
Involvement, Interest, Monitoring, Change as and when required.

Leadership Role in Implementation

Strategic leadership entails the ability to anticipate, envision, maintain

flexibility, and empower others to create strategic change as necessary.

A manager with strategic leadership skills exhibits the ability to guide the
company through the new competitive landscape by influencing the
behavior, thoughts, and feelings of co-workers, managing thought of others
and successfully dealing with rapid, complex change and uncertainty.
Strategic leaders are CEO, Board of Directors, Top Management Teams,
Divisional General Managers. They must be able to deal with the diverse
and cognitive complex competitive situations that are characteristic of
todays competitive situation.

Responsibilities of Strategic Leaders

Managing Human Capital

Effectively managing companys Operations
Sustaining High performance over time
Being willing to make candid, courageous, yet pragmatic decisions.
Seeking feedback from face to face communication.
Having decision making responsibility that cannot be delegated.

Navigator
Strategist
Entrepreneur
Mobilizer
Talent advocate
Captivator
Global thinker
Change driver
Enterprise Euardian

Building A Strategy Supportive Corporate Culture

An organizations capacity to execute its strategy depends on its hard
infrastructure--its organization structure and systems--and on its soft
infrastructure--its culture and norms.
Building a Strategy-Supportive Corporate Culture
Where Does Corporate Culture Come From?
Culture and Strategy Execution
Types of Cultures
Creating a Fit Between Strategy and Culture
Establishing Ethical Standards
Building a Spirit of High Performance
Exerting Strategic Leadership
Staying on Top of How Well Things are Going
Establishing a Strategy-Supportive Culture
Keeping Internal Organization Innovative
Exercising Ethics Leadership
Making Corrective Adjustments

What Makes Up a Companys Culture?

Beliefs about how business ought to be conducted
Values and principles of management
Work climate and atmosphere
Patterns of how we do things around here
Oft-told stories illustrating companys values
Taboos and political donts

Traditions and Ethical standards

Where Does Corporate Culture Come From?

Founder or early leader
Influential individual or work group

Policies, vision, or strategies

Traditions, supervisory practices, employee attitudes
Organizational politics
Relationships with stakeholders and Internal sociological forces

Culture and Strategy Execution:

Ally or Obstacle?
Culture can contribute to -- or hinder -- successful strategy execution.
Requirements for successful strategy execution may -- or may not -- be
compatible with culture.
A close match between culture and strategy promotes effective
strategy execution

Why Culture Matters: Benefits of a Good Culture-Strategy Fit

Strategy-supportive cultures

Shape mood and temperament of the work force, positively affecting

organizational energy, work habits, and operating practices

Provide standards, values, informal rules and peer pressures that nurture and
motivate people to do their jobs in ways that promote
good strategy execution

Strengthen employee identification with the company, its performance

targets, and strategy

Strategy-Supportive cultures

Stimulate people to take on the challenge of realizing the companys

vision, do their jobs competently and with enthusiasm, and collaborate

with others to execute the strategy

Optimal condition: A work environment that Promotes can do attitudes,

Accepts change, Breeds needed capabilities.

Forces and Factors Causing Culture to Evolve

Internal crises

Revolutionary technologies
New challenges
Arrival of new leaders

Turnover of key employees

Diversification into new businesses
Expansion into different geographic areas

Rapid growth adding new employees

Merger with or acquisition of another company
Globalization

Creating a Strong Fit Between Strategy and Culture

Step 1

Diagnose which facets of present culture

are strategy-supportive and which are not

Step 2

Talk openly about why aspects

of present culture need
to be changed

Step 3

Follow with swift, visible actions to modify

culture - include both substantive and
symbolic actions

Types of Corporate Cultures

Strong vs. Weak Cultures

Unhealthy Cultures

Adaptive Cultures

Characteristics of Strong Culture Companies

Conduct business according to a clear, widely-understood philosophy

Management spends considerable time communicating and reinforcing

values
Values are widely shared and deeply rooted

Typically have a values statement

Careful screening/selection of new employees to be sure they will fit in
Visible rewards for those following norms; penalties for those who dont

How Does a Culture Come to Be Strong?

Leader who establishes values consistent with

Customer needs

Competitive conditions

Strategic requirements

A deep, abiding commitment to espoused values and business philosophy

Practicing what is preached!

Genuine concern for well-being of

Customers

Employees

Shareholders

Characteristics of Weak Culture Companies

Many subcultures

Few values and norms widely shared

Few strong traditions
Little cohesion among the departments
Weak employee allegiance to companys vision and strategy
No strong sense of company identity

Characteristics of Unhealthy or Low

Performance Cultures
Politicized internal environment

Issues resolved on basis of turf

Hostility to change

Experimentation and efforts to alter status quo discouraged

Avoid risks and dont screw up

Promotion of managers more concerned about process and details than

results
Aversion to look outside for superior practices

Must-be-invented here syndrome

Hallmarks of Adaptive Cultures

Introduction of new strategies to achieve superior performance

Strategic agility and fast response to new conditions

Risk-taking, experimentation, and innovation to satisfy stakeholders
Proactive approaches to implement workable solutions

Entrepreneurship encouraged and rewarded

Top managers exhibit genuine concern for customers, employees,
shareholders, suppliers

Types of Culture - Changing Actions

Revising policies and procedures to help drive cultural change

Altering incentive compensation to reward desired cultural behavior

Visibly praising and recognizing people who display new cultural traits
Hiring new managers and employees who have desired cultural traits and

can serve as role models

Replacing key executives strongly associated with old culture
Communicating to all employees the basis for cultural change and its
benefits

Symbolic Culture - Changing Actions

Emphasize frugality

Eliminate executive perks

Require executives to spend
time talking with customers

Alter practices identified as cultural hindrances

Visible awards to honor heroes
Ceremonial events to praise people and teams who get with the program

Substantive Culture - Changing Actions

Benchmarking and best practices

Set world-class performance targets

Bring in new blood, replacing traditional managers
Shake up the organizational structure

Change reward structure

Increase commitment to employee training
Reallocate budget, downsizing and upsizing