Smarter Execution: Seven steps to getting results

Chapter 4. Play to win

In our introduction to this book, we noted that the seven insights we want to share with you are equally important. We say that because we have seen instances where managers did most things right, but failed to note the importance of one or more of the seven insights. As a result, their inattention created a barrier and their strategic initiative was far from successful (if it survived at all).

The American Management Association (AMA) commissioned the Human Resource Institute to survey more than 1,500 managers worldwide early in 2007. The subject? Strategy execution. On the plus side, the survey supported what we have long believed: ‘Organizations that were good at executing strategies were also more likely to cite success ...