Tag Archives: strategy execution

Strategic Initiatives Drive Growth and Innovation in the Travel Industry

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Greg Githens

Competitive industries – for example the travel industry – use strategic initiatives to create competitive advantage. Greg Githens explains that there are 5 important tasks for leaders of strategic initiatives to create growth through innovation: understanding the brand promise, understanding the voice of the customer, effectively leveraging business intelligence, establishing appropriate success metrics, and driving effective and fast decisions. One example is how Vancouver’s port made it easier for US citizens to clear customs for cruise ships. A second example is how Hilton is innovating in its design of hotel business lounges. A third example for Marriott hotel’s bedding initiative. Continue reading →

Posted in Examples of Strategic Initiatives, Success Principles for Strategic Initiatives, Transforming the Organization | Tagged airline, brand promise, Business, business intelligence, Competencies of Strategic Initiative Leaders, cruise line, cruise port, Decision making, fast decisions, Greg Githens, growth, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, hotel operations, innovation, Management, Marriott, ncl, norwegian, Problem Solving, Strategic management, strategy execution, strategy formulation, success metric, Tourism, transformation, Travel, vision, voice of the customer | 2 Comments

Strategic Initiative Case Study: Destination Disney

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Greg Githens

Destination Disney was a strategic initiative that deployed a customer relationship management solution that transformed the customer experience at Disney World from product centric to guest centric. Greg Githens points out that an important leadership lessons is using the customer experience as a driver for the strategic initiative. Continue reading →

Posted in Examples of Strategic Initiatives, Success Principles for Strategic Initiatives | Tagged business drivers, customer experience, Customer Relationship Management, delight, Disney, Goal, Greg Githens, program management, Strategic initiative, strategic project, strategy execution, transformation, vision, Walt Disney World | 6 Comments

Validation: How to Get Strategy Right

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Greg Githens

Strategy validation is a process of assuring that there is a “correct strategy.” First, review to find a distinct statement of problem or opportunity that is coupled to a proposed solution. The program manager – just like the CEO – validates strategy with the important stakeholders. Avoid over and under commitment to the strategic initiative. The #1 reason that Boards fire CEOs is because they don’t adequately communicate the reasons for the strategic initiatives. Continue reading →

Posted in Interpreting Strategy Documents, Strategic Planning Issues for Strategic Initiatives, Useful Practices & Management Tools | Tagged CEO fired, change management, Discovery Channel, Greg Githens, Hasbro, IBM Infosphere, Problem Solving, program management, Strategic initiative, Strategic management, Strategic Planning Issues for Strategic Initiatives, strategy execution, strategy formulation, The Hub, transformation, Translation, United Bank Limited, validation, vision | 10 Comments

Strategy is a Boundary-Spanning Activity

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Greg Githens

Greg Githens explains how leaders develop the strategic initiative execution plan by integrating concepts. Vertical connections are done through metrics and horizontal connections are a search for strategic synergy. He explains a pitfall of many strategies, which is to focus on the solution rather than the problem or opportunity. An example is provided for Human Resources strategy. This post describes Step 3 of 4 for interpreting strategy documents. Continue reading →

Posted in Interpreting Strategy Documents, Strategic Planning Issues for Strategic Initiatives, Strategy Coaching and Facilitation, Useful Practices & Management Tools | Tagged ambiguity, balanced score card, Balanced scorecard, horizontal integration, Initiative, open innovation, program management, Strategic initiative, Strategic management, Strategic Planning Issues for Strategic Initiatives, Strategy, strategy execution, strategy formulation, vertical integration, vision | 6 Comments

What are the Strategic Pillars that Support the Vision?

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Greg Githens

Strategic pillars and planks hold up the strategic vision. Describes examples of strategic initiatives at Google, Boy Scouts of America, Schibsted, GE, pet supplies retailer, and an approach for content marketing strategies. Continue reading →

Posted in Examples of Strategic Initiatives, Interpreting Strategy Documents, Strategic Planning Issues for Strategic Initiatives, Success Principles for Strategic Initiatives, Useful Practices & Management Tools | Tagged content marketing, document analysis, Goal, Greg Githens, program management, Strategic initiative, Strategic management, strategic planks, Strategic Planning Issues for Strategic Initiatives, strategy execution, strategy formulation, vision | 7 Comments

Can You See Your Vision Statement?

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Greg Githens

An important task for the leader of a strategic initiative is to bring clarity to the vision statement. Provides criteria for a vision and 5 methods for improving a vision statement. Step 2 of a 4-part approach on interpreting strategy documents. Continue reading →

Posted in Interpreting Strategy Documents, Strategy Coaching and Facilitation, Useful Practices & Management Tools | Tagged alignment, commitment, program management, Strategic initiative, Strategic management, Strategic Planning Issues for Strategic Initiatives, strategy document, strategy execution, vision | 11 Comments

Interpreting Strategy Documents: More Insights and a Valuable Tip!

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Greg Githens

The article provides techniques and questions for clarifying the internal and the external strategic context during a strategy implementation readiness session. This helps you align formulation with implementation. Continue reading →

Posted in Useful Practices & Management Tools | Tagged ambiguity, Business, collaboration, Consulting, Document, Management, Peter Drucker, program management, Silicon Valley, Strategic management, Strategic Planning Issues for Strategic Initiatives, strategy execution, strategy formulation, teams | 4 Comments

Interpreting Strategy Documents: A Key Skill for Implementation

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Greg Githens

Strategy fails in part because strategy formulation documents must be interpreted as they are implemented. The article provides practical ideas for clarifying strategic concepts and assure that strategy implementation is successful. http://wp.me/pZCkk-7R Continue reading →

Posted in Examples of Strategic Initiatives, Interpreting Strategy Documents, Program & Portfolio Management, Strategic Planning Issues for Strategic Initiatives, Useful Practices & Management Tools | Tagged ambiguity, change the business, Concept map, HSBC, management tools, portfolio, run the business, Strategic initiative, Strategic management, Strategic Planning Issues for Strategic Initiatives, strategy execution, strategy formulation, strategy implementation readiness assessment | 11 Comments

Leadership: A Tool for Strategic Initiatives

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Greg Githens

Explains how leadership functions to accomplish strategic initiatives and their stretch goals, multiple views, ambiguity, and accountability. Continue reading →

Posted in Competencies of Strategic Initiative Leaders | Tagged Competencies of Strategic Initiative Leaders, management tools, strategy execution | 2 Comments

Google’s Strategic Initiatives Team

Posted on December 22, 2010 by Greg Githens

Describes 5 leader competencies, and how applied to Google’s Strategic Initiatives Team. Comment notes that Microsoft has developed similar strategic initiative team. Continue reading →