2018-17 Closing the Gap Between Strategy and Execution

Closing the Gap Between Strategy and Execution
Moderator:
Paul Michelman, Editor in Chief, MIT Sloan Management Review (@pmichelman)
Speakers:
Anthony Christie, SF ‘98, Chief Operating Officer, Trace3 (@christieontech)
Cathy Horst Forsyth, Founder and Managing Partner, Strongbow Consulting Group
Mike Macrie, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Land O’Lakes, Inc. (@mwmacrie)
Irving Wladawsky-Berger, Fellow, MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy (#IrvingWB)
In most organizations, strategy and execution are managed almost entirely separately. High-level strategy is set by a small group of executives; the implementation of that strategy is then delegated into the hands of a much larger and more heterogeneous group of functional managers and their far-flung teams. What happens? Those words that looked like a sure-fire recipe for success become mutated by the demands of day-to-day operations and the individual agendas of those who lead them. Digital technologies can exacerbate this problem as much as help address it. Is there a better way to develop strategy? Is there a more effective means of connecting strategic priorities to the realities of execution? The members of this panel say emphatically, “yes.”

[@dr.wezisunkutumd8745]

Interesting conversation there. I am learning. Thank you.

[@charleshurstreinvention3959]

Note the words are strategy and execution. This is the ground base reality to consider. Not every strategy is a good one. I've heard many times--"if you believe enough you will be successful." That is not accurate. Like running to LA to become that actor with no backup plan. Luck is a huge factor in that fair or not, that is a reality. The idea that self belief is what makes the success driven successful is only a small part of the equation. The guru will tell you the universe aligns with you with self belief. Not true. Self belief + plan of action that is researched + massive effort----that is what makes success and sometimes ill luck causes failure as well. Most of the gurus, great or small say the same thing I tell my own subscribers--you have to plan well and engage in effort and constantly re-evaluate what is working and what isn't. Hope this helps someone out there---Charles

[@lynguy439]

They fail because the strategist have not hired any executioner who uses a guillotine. 🤣

[@dprofessor1321]

Worst intro joke ever lol

[@allnighter2011]

cringe intro