Why Dont They Just Get It Done: 7 Performance Tactics for CEOs

Buckling under the weight of chronic corporate restructuring, and frustrated by performers who don't respond to carefully crafted strategic plans, high level executive leaders are being confronted by a growing performance gap between what needs to get done and what gets done.

Sound familiar? It's a troublesome trend that is likely happening in your firm right now. Despite the belief that their strategic plan is "ready to go," corporate leaders are discovering that their best-laid plans are not producing expected results.

Think this situation doesn't apply to you? Think again.

Consider the strategic plan from a CEO's perspective.

• The company has a good product.

• Talented people are in key positions.

• Performers have solid processes to achieve objectives.

Given this short list, many CEO's assume that expected results will follow. The plan is good. Now the performers only need to band together to hit the margin objectives. But unforeseen blind spots and inadequate execution join forces to undermine the carefully crafted plan, which does not survive its clash with reality.

How does this happen? Let's identify some of the critical factors that, when not uncovered and addressed, create obstacles which slow progress and prevent achieving objectives.

• Blind Spots - Corporate leaders of today face challenges unheard of 10-20 years ago. Given today's global business environment, with the scope and pace of information, it is not possible for the CEO or executive team to be plugged into each critical factor necessary for their plan to succeed. Additionally, tactics that were successful even 6-18 months ago might be counterproductive today.

• Change Fatigue - Field Generals, those mid-level executives who are charged with putting the CEO approved plan into action, have it equally as rough. They also are dealing with conditions they have not faced before. And they are often tired, scared and frustrated. They are worn out dealing with the frequent change in objectives, policies and execution processes. These changes, attempting to deal with the plan's clash with reality, are all too often unsuccessful, adding to the frustration levels.

• Not Understanding Field Reality - Unless these changes are generated from an understanding of the current field reality, critical obstacles to execution remain uncovered and cannot be successfully addressed.

When the strategic plan is on target but it is not achieving expected results, the problem is in the execution.

Tactical solutions are always simple, always right in front of you. But when working from a 50,000 foot perspective, and dealing with conditions you haven't navigated through before, it is not possible to figure it out on your own.

In today's business environment, it is only through multiple avenues of collaboration that your tactical solutions emerge.

Internal Tactics

• Create and sustain relationships with multiple sources that are in position to see the reality of a situation: trusted peers, direct reports and field generals.

• Develop avenues of communication that horizontally and vertically convey timely, accurate reports of the field reality and the progress-critical obstacles to meeting objectives.

• Create processes to evaluate field reports and determine which tactics are achieving targeted ROI or need to be adjusted.

• Execute clearly documented adjustments to the tactical plan, with metrics, accountability and consequences.

External Tactics

• Create and sustain relationships with trusted sources outside the organization.

• Collaborate with an experienced, objective, sounding board, not involved in the politics or invested in the company.

• Leverage the input of experts who coach your executives and key players to uncover and close critical gaps in execution performance.

These tactics, consistently executed, will create an execution culture in your organization, and then your people will "just get it done."

Otan Logi - Tactical Advisor Associates

About The Author

Otan Logi, the Principal of Tactical Advisor Associates, has spent the last 20 years helping executives and key players execute the plan. His forthcoming book, Tactics for the Executive Warrior, will be published in 2004. For more information, go to http://www.tacticaladvisor.com Otan can be reached at 207.442.7584 (Eastern Time Zone) and otan@tacticaladvisor.com

---

10 Compelling Reasons Not to Downsize

Almost daily, newspapers, business magazines, radio and television carry reports... Read More

10-Point Checklist for High Visibility in Google

Google is the pre-eminent search engine (SE) with no close... Read More

Learn to Improve Sales - 10 Ways to Get More Business Starting Today

You need sales and you wanted them yesterday. Here are... Read More

Top 10 Steps to Build Your Professional Practice Now!

1. Examine everything in your office from the view of... Read More

No More Lists To Remember

Are the endless lists of Top-7's and Top-10's taxing your... Read More

Ten Ways to Manage a Rapidly Growing Business

While some new business owners face the issue of not... Read More

Checklist for Hiring a Private Investigator

Looking for an old friend? Want to know if your... Read More

Advice for New Coaches: 10 Ways to Attract Your First Paying Client and Receive Endless Referrals

Many new coaches struggle to attract their first client. Often,... Read More

The Top Ten Qualities that Allow Business Operations to Grow Easily

My husband and I were enjoying our dinner meal one... Read More

Seven Keys to Get Out of a Rut

Rut -- a routine procedure, situation, or way... Read More

Business Goals - The 10 Commandments

The Ten Commandments of Goal Setting While it's good to... Read More

7 Money Saving Tips to Decrease Home Business Expenses

We all know that running a home business is highly... Read More

The Top Ten Ways to Stop Procrastinating Now

10. Procrastination Condemnation - Lose the Labels! All those things... Read More

Why Dont They Just Get It Done: 7 Performance Tactics for CEOs

Buckling under the weight of chronic corporate restructuring, and frustrated... Read More

Ten Tips For Starting A New Job

1. Get to know people. First meet those people in... Read More

How to Counsel Your Non-Performing Team Members - 10 Tips

Counselling non-performing team members is a tough part of any... Read More

7 Online Banking Success Stories

You have seen their ads and you may have wondered... Read More

Seven Questions to Improve Your Business, Your Relationships, and Your Life

Seven Questions to Improve Your Business, Your Relationships, and Your... Read More

How To Use The Power Of Focus To Build Massive Momentum In Your Business

Getting focused on what you want to achieve and creating... Read More

Ten Ways To Sell Your Ideas To Anyone

You have a great idea you know is a winner.... Read More

The Top Ten Ways to Attract Buyers, Not Just Visitors to your Web Site

Have you put a lot of effort, time, and money... Read More

7 Tips To Increase The Success Of Your Online Business

1. Outsource what takes you too long to doWhen you... Read More

Entrepreneurs - 7 Business Mistakes You Must Avoid

Many mistakes can be made in business and if you... Read More

Top 10 Items to Review & Build Your Business Now!

In building and runnng an independent private practice or small... Read More

Ten Reasons to Implement Choice Theory in Your Organization

What is Choice Theory (CT)? CT is a theory of... Read More

Never Sell Again: Get Repeat Business and Avoid the Need to Prospect

If you're a business owner, you know that repeat business... Read More

Top Ten Reasons to Write a Sales Letter for Each Product? - Part 1

Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. Entrepreneurs know... Read More

Business Attire: 10 Tips to Perfect Your Look

Being appropriately dressed is essential in making good impressions in... Read More

7 Reasons You Want Referral Business and How to Get Them

Studies have proven that there is one reason why people... Read More

Tips to Starting your Own Busniess

The 9-to-5 grind can make you feel like a just... Read More

10 Nifty Tips for Better Business Cards

Not having a business card is as bad as using... Read More

7 Ways To Make A GREAT First Impression!

1. Focus on the other Being known as a... Read More

Surviving When Clients Arent Rolling In

As the holiday season starts to settle in, the workload... Read More