MyStrategicPlan | Strategy Development & Execution Software

o)

http%253A%252

Bottom of Form

Functional Tactics & Implementation

Create a Plan.
Track Progress.
Get Better Results.

Try the leading strategic planning software free for 10 days. Starting at $49 a month.

Clients committed to the strategic planning process typically experience a 12% improvement
above business as usual.
Start Plan

Signup takes 60 seconds

Strategy Formulation | Types of Strategies | Implementation

Questions to Ask:
• Are you committed to implementing a plan to move your company forward?
• What are the names of the key people who need to buy in to the plan?
• How will you communicate the plan throughout the company?
• Will you commit money, resources, and time to support the plan?
Lally, R. (1997). Aligning Values with Strategies: Getting results for the Hands on Manager
(Office Edition, pp. 6-9).
Identifying the specific definitions for an organization’s formal values is often a fairly clean-cut
task. Most companies include this information in their personnel handbook. Aligning the
understanding of a company’s informal values between executive management and many layers
of subordinate employees can prove to be a more challenging task. So what are informal values?
“You find them in questions like, “What does it take to get promoted,” “What does it take to get
fired”… “How late do I have to stay to be recognized as a hard-worker?” (Lally, 1997). Many of
these questions can usually be answered by one’s common sense. Although, it is most helpful to
a company’s employee body, to understand clearly all values, formal or informal. It is the
manager who is usually charged with the task of communicating formal or informal values. How
does this all relate to strategy? “Managers are good at creating strategies based on market
conditions, but they often stop there without considering whether elements underneath the
strategy–values, staff, and the rest–are aligned with it. If they aren’t, the strategy fails” (Lally,
1997). The core idea is that regardless of how market conditions change, when the manager
realigns his or her strategy, other organizational elements must also change. “Managers must
facilitate changes in organizational structures, compensation, and the informal values so that they
all line up with the strategy” (Lally, 1997). The manager should also work diplomatically with
senior management in order to facilitate certain changes that require approval. Often, the
manager has to entertain both the employees and senior management when working to
accomplish strategy changes.
Clampitt, P., Berk, B. and Williams, M. (2001). Leaders as Strategic Communicators: Ivey
Business Journal (2nd Edition, pp. 51-55). Among the important traits of a great leader, being a
strategic communicator stands out as the most important. Some leaders are naturally strategic
communicators, most of us however, could always be much better. The difference between good
and great is usually having a formula, a well thought out plan. A 2002 article, in the Ivey
Business Journal, outlines four steps to follow in order to be an effective strategic communicator.
The first step is to assess the context. “Effective leaders assess those they seek to influence. A
proper assessment allows leaders to determine the group’s limits and possibilities. Push too slow
and key initiatives never get traction. Push too fast and they falter through sheer exhaustion”
(Clampitt, Berk, and Williams, 2002). The second step is to craft a strategy. The leader must
“select communication goals that are linked to the organizational goals…executives generally
choose one of the five basic communication strategies:
• Spray & Pray: Executives shower employees with all kinds of information…
• Tell & Sell: Executives communicate a more limited set of messages, first telling
employees about key issues, then selling them on the wisdom of their approach.
• Underscore & Explore: Executives focus on developing a few core messages clearly
linked to organizational success, while actively listening for potential
misunderstandings…
• Identify & Reply: Executives identify key employee concerns and then reply to them.
• Withhold & Uphold: Executives withhold information until necessary.
Underscoring a theme is not enough. To be effective, executives must play an active role in
translating the theme into corporate priorities and objectives at each level of the organization”
(Clampitt, Berk, and Williams, 2002). The third step is a simple one, the leader’s communication
strategy must be clear. The most important steps of this stage are “repetition and redundancy…
identify and utilize opinion leaders…select the right channels” (Clampitt, Berk, and Williams,
2002). The fourth and final step in this process is to provoke dialogue. By obtaining feedback, a
leader will be able to evaluate his or her own plan and learn any additional insight that maybe
useful in the future.
Galpin, T. “Connecting Culture to Organizational Change” HR Magazine (March 1996, p.84)
“Connecting Culture to Organizational Change” from HR Magazine clearly communicates how
significantly difficult and complex it can be to accomplish this task. I extracted some ideas that
seemed to effectively simplify this process. They are:
 • Set specific, numeric expectations…using this strategy allows people in the organization
to begin ‘measuring the immeasurable.
• Keep it simple…
• Be creative…
• Involve managers and employees in designing there own measures
• Reward and recognize” (Galpin, 1996).
In addition to the preceding points it is essential to reward and recognize positive actions. Other
important ideas include leading by example and focusing on consistent positive behavior.
Sussland.W.A. (2002).Connecting the planners and doers.Quality Progress. Vol. 35, Issue 6,
June 2002. Retrieved April 1, 2003 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.asq.org/pub/qualityprogress/past/0602/sussland.html. Connecting the Planners and
Doers, (2002), appearing in the journal Quality Progress presents the Two Rings model
developed by the author, Sussland to link business strategy to its implementation. The outer ring
of the model includes the key tasks of senior management which are to check, alert, plan and
deploy (CAPD), in that order. The inner ring includes the key tasks of line management which
are to plan, do, check and act (PDCA). On the outer ring, check refers to reviewing the strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the organization through qualitative and quantitative
measures. Alert signifies initiating proactive changes and developing contingency plans to
respond to future trends. Plan refers to developing the strategic objectives and allocating
resources to deploy the plan. Sussman describes deploy as linking “doing the right thing and
doing it right” (p.6).
When top-down deployment is complete, the process reverses direction. Line management takes
over and follows the inner ring processes of planning, checking, doing and acting. The process is
complete when roles and responsibilities have been assigned, and resources allocated. Tasks
representative of PDCA include the role of operations management to manage the actions
planned, the use of resources, processes deployed, products and services delivered and the value
chain of customers and suppliers. Successful linking of business strategy and its implementation
results in connecting the internal and external environments, connecting the past to the future and
connecting all levels and functions of the organization. The Two Rings model is a systematic
methodology to accomplish this linkage.
Implement Strategy
The author found hundreds of articles on grand strategies, and for the most part they all dealt
with military or political issues. One would think that after two hours of searching, even
someone who is poor at using search strings would have stumbled upon more business related
articles. The attached article was the closest to “useful” that could be found. What caught the
authors’ eye was the narrative approach of putting the reader in the position of just having been
promoted to an important position in a niche portion of a large company, and then asking that
person to take the somewhat ethereal big picture strategies of the larger organization and apply
them in some workable manner. The gist of the message was one of “marketing a process”, not a
“marketing process”.
Resource Management
This proved to be an interesting site in that it took a flash card, or sound bit type of approach to
discussing leadership characteristics, and the connections with proper employee resource
management. The author especially liked the sections that contained “myth v. reality”
comparisons. It could be argued that this site does not address a wide variety of resources other
than personnel, but in the authors’ opinion, the people are the most important resource. This site
also included information on issues such as reward systems and employee empowerment. In
retrospect, this site would probably be a more effective part of the tool kit if it was split up and
scattered throughout the tool kit.
“How to achieve the targeted results” (Action plans, how to get there)
“There are three kinds of companies: those that make things happen, those that watch things
happen, and the rest who wonder what happened.” Anonymous
A successful business is about creating value for its customers, and the intent or plan should be
to create more value than the competitors. This process involves matching the firm’s resources
and capabilities with the opportunities and challenges of the marketplace. A successful business
strategy matches the firm’s strengths (resources and capabilities) with market opportunities to
create a sustainable competitive advantage by providing more value for its customers than
competitors.
Three ingredients are necessary for a business to successfully steer a strategic course through
market turbulence and become proactive in shaping events and competitive behavior to its
advantage.

Download a Free Strategic Planning Cheatsheet

Learn the secrets to creating an effective strategic plan.
Top of Form
http://mystrategic Strategy Cheat S 40323 hepmlsgiffomdjjjo

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Company

Phone
 I’m interested because I’m

Dow nload Cheats heet

(w e nev er sh ar e your info )

http%253A%252

Bottom of Form

1. Mission – A strategic mission and vision that articulates the nature of the business and
focuses the energies of all parts of the organization toward the task of outperforming the
competition.
2. Market – A market orientation in which the beliefs and values that pervade the
organization emphasize the need to put the customer first.
3. Measurement – A process for formulating, choosing, and evaluating the best strategy
(Day, p. 20).
THOUGHTS ABOUT STRATEGY
Superior firm performance is generally attributed to its competitive advantage. Competitive
advantage arises from leveraging a firm’s unique skills and resources to implement value-
creating strategy that competitors cannot implement as effectively. A sustainable competitive
advantage occurs when the advantage is immune or not subject to erosion by competitor’s
actions.
Thus, a strategy is decisions and activities that enable a firm to achieve and sustain competitive
advantage and to improve its performance. It is a game plan for moving the company into an
attractive business position and building a sustainable competitive advantage (Thompson, p.43).
Strategy is a directional statement that serves as a central theme guiding and coordinating
integrated actions in the pursuit of competitive advantage. It is a compass, not a detailed road
map (Day, p21). Strategy is both
1. proactive (intended) deliberate and planned action
2. reactive (adaptive) as-needed reactions to unanticipated developments and fresh
competitive pressures. (Thompson, p.9)
Strategy is a guide how to pursue the company’s mission and strategic vision and how to achieve
it. A competitive strategy specifies how a business intends to compete in the markets it chooses
to serve (Day, p5). Strategy focuses on how to achieve performance targets, how to outcompete
rivals, how to achieve sustainable competitive advantage, how to strengthen the company’s long-
term position, how to grow the business, how to satisfy customers, how to respond to changing
market conditions, (Thompson, p.10, 42). Basically the central thrust of business strategy is how
to build and strengthen the company’s long-term competitive position in the marketplace.
Steps to Formulate a Competitive Strategy
Simply stated, strategy is an action plan that directs a firm in developing a competitive
advantage. A sustainable competitive advantage arises from leveraging a firm’s core
competencies to create value for the customer. For a strategy to be successful, it must be
consistent with the firm’s mission/vision, objectives/goals, with its internal and external
environment, and target market.
A pictorial representation of this process is as follows:

Formulating a competitive strategy is based upon the steps we have done thus far: (Porter, xix-
xx)
Core Competencies
• What customer needs is our company uniquely qualified to meet?
• What is the business doing now? What are our core competencies?
Identification
• What is the current strategy?
Implied Assumptions
• What assumptions about the company’s relative position, strengths and weaknesses,
competitors, and industry trends must be made for the current strategy to make sense?
Mission
• What is our business and what are we trying to accomplish on behalf of our customers?
Vision
• What will our business look like in 5-10 years from now?
Establish Objectives
• In what areas will our business continue being actively involved in the future?
SWOT
• What is happening internally and externally?
• What is happening in the environment?
 • Industry Analysis – What are the key factors for competitive success and the important
industry opportunities and threats?
• Competitor Analysis – What are the capabilities and limitations of existing and potential
competitors, and their probable future move?
• Strengths and Weaknesses – Given an analysis of industry and competitors, what are the
company’s strengths and weaknesses relative to present and future competition?
Develop Goals
• What is to be accomplished?
• Goals are developed after being filtered through a SWOT analysis.
• What are our specific, measurable targets?
Segment/Target Market
• What customers are we targeting?
• How should the firm differentiate and position itself in the target market?
• What should the business be doing?
• What are the feasible strategic alternatives given the customer analysis?
• Which alternatives best relates the company’s situation to external opportunities and
threats?
Strategy – “How to Achieve the Targeted Results”
With these steps completed, we are now able to formulate a strategy to provide direction to the
company.
A company’s strategy should be market-driven and customer-driven using outside-in strategic
thinking aimed at boosting customer satisfaction and achieving sustainable competitive
advantage. The company must study market trends, listen to customers, enhance the company’s
competitiveness, and steer the company in whatever new directions are dictated by market
conditions and customer preferences. (revised Thompson, p.10)
A corporate planning director of a Fortune 500 MNC observes that “the process of strategic
marketing is coming to be defined as the management of competitive advantage – that is, as
process of identifying, developing, and taking advantage of opportunities that result in a tangible
business advantage.” Meeting these challenges requires developing market-driven strategies. The
process involves becoming market-oriented, matching customer value opportunities with
organization’s distinctive capabilities, and developing internal and external strategic
relationships. The basic initiative for guiding market-driven strategy begins by developing a
market-oriented culture and processes in the organization” (Excerpt from: “Competitive
Advantage in the Global Marketplace: a Focus on Marketing Strategy,” by Thomas Hult, David
Cravens, and Jagdish Sheth; Journal of Business Research, v51, 2001.)
Formulating a business strategy that yields sustainable competitive advantage requires some of
the following actions: (Thompson p.11,48-49).
• Actions to strengthen the company’s resource base and competitive capabilities
• Actions to strengthen the company’s long-term competitive position and secure a
competitive advantage (accelerate R & D, to broaden/narrow the product line, improve
product design, alter product quality or add new features, introduce new technologies,
 modify customer service, outcompete rivals on the basis of superior resources and
competitive capabilities.
• Actions to respond to changing industry conditions and other emerging developments in
the external environment (shifting customer preferences, new government regulations,
the globalization of competition, entry or exit of new competitors)
• Actions to capitalize on new opportunities
• Defensive moves to counter the actions of competitors and defend against external threats
• Actions to merge with or acquire a rival company or form strategic alliances and
collaborative partnerships
• Efforts to alter geographic market coverage and degree of vertical integration
• Moves and approaches that define how the company manages key activities.
• Moves to unite strategic initiatives in the various functional area of business
(manufacturing and operations; marketing, promotion, and distribution; R&D technology;
human resources; financial) to build competitively valuable resource strengths and
capabilities to support the company’s competitive approach and overall strategy.
Representative Strategies
A company’s competitive strategy consists of its business approaches and initiatives to attract
customers and fulfill their expectations, to withstand competitive pressures, and to strengthen its
market position (Thompson, p.135). Having identified and evaluated its major competitors, the
company must design broad competitive marketing strategies by which it can gain competitive
advantage by offering superior customer value. Competitive strategies have been classified to
define marketing strategy in terms of a single-minded pursuit of delivering superior value to
customers.
An competitive advantage typically is based on:
1. lower costs
2. a differentiated product
3. a focused in-depth understanding of the consumer
Examples of competitive advantages for:
1. Lower costs – Walmart
2. Differentiated product – IMB provides technology products that many business
consumers would prefer to own. Harvard proves a business education that is truly unique.
3. Focused – Nordstroms provides products and services that exhibit a unique understanding
of the more affluent consumer.
Each company must determine which strategy makes the most sense given its position in the
industry, its objectives, opportunities, and resources (Kotler, p.685) Companies that pursue a
clear strategy are likely to perform well. The firm that carries out that strategy best will make the
most profits. Firms that do not pursue a clear strategy – “Middle-of-the-roaders” or stuck in the
middle and do the worst (Kotler, p.686)
Generic Competitive Strategies
A generic business strategy classifies business strategies and approaches toward obtaining a
sustainable competitive advantage into groups with a common thrust. There are a host of
strategic thrust available. Being innovative, global, entrepreneurial, information technology
based, or manufacturing could drive a strategy.
The basic differences among competitive strategies are:
1. whether a company’s market target is broad or narrow
2. whether it is pursuing a competitive advantage linked to low costs, product or
understanding your customer. Any complex strategy uses one of these as the basis.
Michel Porter, an influential strategy researcher, has classified competitive positioning
strategies: low cost, differentiation, and focus. The difference among the three generic
strategies are illustrated in the following chart: (Porter, p.39).

The following are the most basic strategies. We will be choosing one of these for each of your
segment/target markets.
Overall Low Cost Leadership Strategy This strategy focuses on appealing to a broad spectrum of
customers based on being the overall low-cost provider of a product or service. Overall low cost
does not refer solely to price. It refers to the delivered cost to the customer. The company works
to achieve the lowest costs of production and distribution so that it can price lower than its
competitors and win a large market share (Kotler, p.686).
This strategy is aimed at achieving low-cost leadership industrywide. It is based on achieving a
sustainable cost advantage in some important element of the product or service (Aaker, p.7). A
low-cost provider is a powerful competitive approach in markets where many buyers are price
sensitive. A low-cost leader’s basis for competitive advantage is lower overall costs than
competitors. Successful low-cost leaders are exceptionally good at finding ways to drive costs
out of their business (Thompson, p. 135, 136). Ex. Dollar Tree Store, Walmart, Dell Computer
A low-cost leader has two options for achieving superior profit performance:
1. To use the lower-cost edge to under price competitors and attract price-sensitive buyers.
2. To refrain from price-cutting altogether, be content with the present market share, and
use the lower-cost edge to earn a higher profit margin on each unit sold, thereby raising
the firm’s total profits and overall return on investment (Thompson, p. 136, 137)
The overall cost leadership position can be achieved through a high market share or through
other advantages, such as favorable access to raw materials or state-of-the-art manufacturing
equipment (Aaker, p.7). To achieve a cost advantage, a firm’s cumulative costs across its value
chain must be lower than competitors’ cumulative costs. Keys to success in achieving low-cost
leadership is to be proactive in restructuring the value chain, finding innovative ways to
restructure processes and tasks, cut out frills, and provide the basics more economically
(Thompson, p. 138, 145). A low cost strategy need not always be associated with low prices,
because lower cost could lead to enhanced profits or increased advertising or promotion instead
of reduced price (Aaker, p.7).
The more price sensitive buyers are and the more inclined they are to base their purchasing
decision on which seller offers the best price, the more appealing a low-cost strategy becomes. A
low-cost provider’s product offering must always contain enough attributes to be attractive to
prospective buyers. A low-cost leadership strategy works best when:
1. Price competition among rival sellers is especially vigorous.
2. The industry’s product is standardized or readily available from other sellers.
3. There are few ways to achieve product differentiation, thereby making buyers very
sensitive to price differences.
4. Most buyers use the product the same ways.
5. Buyers incur low switching costs. (Thompson, p. 146, 147)
Implementing:
Implementing overall low cost leadership strategy require different resources and skills. It also
implies differing organizational arrangements, control procedures, and inventive systems. Some
common implications are as follows: (Porter, p.40)

Defenses Against Five Competitive Forces: (Porter, p.36, 37) The low-cost position protects the
firm against all five competitive forces because bargaining can only continue to erode profits
until those of the next most efficient competitor are eliminated.

Risks: (Porter, p.45) Cost leadership imposes severe burdens on the firm to keep up its position,
which means reinvesting in modern equipment, ruthlessly scrapping obsolete assets, avoiding
product line proliferation and being alert for technological improvement. Some of these risks are:
 • Technological breakthroughs can open up cost reductions for rivals that nullify a low-cost
leader’s past investments, learning, and gains in efficiency.
• Low-cost learning by industry newcomers or followers, through imitation or through their
ability to invest in state-of-the-art facilities.
• Inability to see required product or marketing change because of the attention placed on
cost.
• Inflation in costs that narrow the firm’s ability to maintain enough of a price differential
to offset competitors’ approaches to differentiation.
• Getting carried away with overly aggressively price-cutting and ending up with lower,
rather than higher, profitability.
• Not emphasizing avenues of cost advantage that can be kept propriety. Sustaining its cost
in ways difficult for rivals to copy or match.
• Becoming too fixated on cost reduction. It can be pursued so zealously that a firm’s
offering ends up being too frills-free to generate buyer appeal.
Differentiation Strategy
This strategy concentrates on creating a highly differentiated product/service line and marketing
program so that it is perceived to a broad spectrum of customers as being unique. The company
focuses on superior performance by targeting an important customer benefit valued by a segment
of market. Most customers would prefer to this product/service line if its price is not too high
(Kotler, p.686). Ex. Victoria Secret, Marriott, IBM
A differentiation strategy is one in which the product offering is differentiated from the
competition by providing value to the customer by product quality, perhaps by enhancing the
performance, quality, prestige, features, service backup, reliability, or convenience of the product
(Aaker, p.6,7). It seeks to differentiate the company’s product/service offering from rivals’ in
ways that will appeal to buyers. (Thompson, p. 135).
Sustainable differentiation usually has to be linked to unique internal skills, core competencies,
and capabilities. As a rule, differentiation yields a long-lasting and more profitable competitive
edge when it is based on new product innovation, technical superiority, product quality and
reliability, and comprehensive customer service. Such attributes are widely perceived by buyers
as having value (Thompson, p. 148)
The competitive advantage for a differentiation strategy is either a product/service offering
whose attributes differ significantly from the offerings of rivals or a set of capabilities for
delivering customer value. Successful differentiation strategy begins with a deep understanding
of what customers need and ends with building organizational capabilities to satisfy these needs
better than rivals (Thompson, p.149-151)
Differentiation strategies work best in markets where: (Thompson, p.152)
1. There are many ways to differentiate the company’s offering from that of rivals and many
buyers perceive these differences as having value.
2. Buyer needs and uses of the item or service are diverse.
3. Few rival firms are following a similar differentiation approach.
4. Technological chance is fast-paced and competition revolves around evolving product
features.
Implementing
Implementing differentiation strategy require different resources and skills. It also implies
differing organizational arrangements, control procedures, and inventive systems. Some common
implications are as follows: (Porter, p.41)

Defenses Against Five Competitive Forces: (Thompson, p.151, 152) Differentiation results in
enhanced buyer loyalty to a company’s brand or model and greater willingness to pay more for
it. It creates a defensible position for coping with the five competitive forces.

Risks: (Porter, p.46) (Thompson, p. 152)

Differentiation also involves a series of risks:
• The cost differential between low-cost competitors and the differentiated firm becomes
too great for differentiation to hold brand loyalty. Buyers thus sacrifice some of the
features, services, or image possessed by the differentiated firm for large cost savings.
• Over-differentiating so that price is too high relative to competitors or that the array of
differentiating attributes exceeds buyers’ needs
• Trying to charge too high a price premium. The bigger the price differential the harder it
is to keep buyers from switching to lower-priced competitors. . Buyers are satisfied with
a basic product and don’t think “extra” attributes are worth a higher price.
• Buyers’ need for the differentiating factor falls.
 • Trying to differentiate on the basis of something that does not lower a buyer’s cost or
enhance a buyer’s well-being, as perceived by the buyer.
• Imitation narrows perceived differentiation. Rapid imitation means that a firm never
achieves real differentiation.
• Not understanding or identifying what buyers consider as value.
Focused Strategy
This strategy concentrates on a narrow market segment by offering niche customers a
customized product or service that meets their tastes and requirements better than rivals’
offerings. The company focuses on targeting an important customer benefit valued by a narrow
segment of the market (could be a particular buyer group, segment of the product line, or
geographic market). It concentrates its effort on serving a few market segments well rather than
going after the whole market (Kotler, p.686). The entire focus strategy is built around serving a
particular target very well. Ex. microbreweries, local bakeries, bed-and-breakfast inns, boutiques
A focuser’s basis for competitive advantage is either
1. lower costs than competitors in serving the market niche
2. an ability to offer niche members something they perceive is better.
This strategy works best when: (Thompson, p.156)
1. It is costly or difficult for multisegment competitors to meet the specialized needs of the
target market niche.
2. When no other rival is attempting to specialize in the same target segment.
3. When a firm doesn’t have the resources or capabilities to go after a bigger piece of the
total market.
4. When the industry has many different niches and segments, allowing a focuser to pick an
attractive niche suited to its resource strengths and capabilities.
Defenses Against Five Competitive Forces: (Thompson, p.155,156)
A focuser’s specialized competencies and capabilities in serving the target market niche provide
a basis for defending against the five competitive forces.

Risks: (Porter, p.46) (Thompson, p. 156)

Focus involves yet another set of risks:
• The cost differential between broad-range competitors and the focused firm widens to
eliminate the cost advantages of serving a narrow target or to offset the differentiation
achieved by focus.
 • The differences in desired products or services between the strategic target and the
market as a whole narrows.
• Competitors find submarkets with the strategic target and out focus the focuser.
Stuck in the Middle Strategy This is a losing strategy. Firms that do not pursue a clear strategy ,
called middle-of-the-roaders, do the worst. Do not be stuck in the “middle” trying to be
successful at all three disciplines, because your firm will generally end up not being good at any
one. Business that do not stand out as the lowest in cost, highest in perceived value, or best in
serving some market segment encounter difficulties. Ex. Sears, Holiday Inn (Kotler, p.686)
Market-Based Generic Strategies These are similar to Porter’s competitive two strategies, but
market-based in their development. Market strategy has two fundamental objectives:
1. To create superior customer value. This is similar to achieving competitive advantage,
but with a different emphasis. The superior customer value perspective, also known as
market orientation, focuses everyone in the organization on customers’ needs that than on
competitors’ products, thereby helping the business act rather than merely react.
2. To create economic value for the owners of the business. Superior economic performance
is the result of a strategy that creates superior customer value (Slater, p.37)
It is believed that companies gain leadership position by delivering superior value to their
customers. Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersema, in their book the Discipline of Market Leaders,
1995, suggest three generic market strategies – Product leadership, customer intimacy, and
operational excellence (Slater, p.37). Companies can pursue any one of the market-based
strategies for delivering superior customer value. Few firms can be the best at more than one of
these disciplines. Leading companies focus on and excel at a single market-based generic
strategy, while meeting industry standards on the other two. (Kotler, p.686, 287). Their success
depends more on how well each is executed and less on the market environment of the business.
The following is an explanation of the market-based strategies:
Operational Excellence
This strategy focuses on appealing to a broad spectrum of customers based on being the overall
low-cost provider of a product or service because of the firm’s focus on efficiency. The company
provides superior value to their customers by offering them lowest total cost. It works to reduce
costs and to create a lean and efficient value-delivery system. It serves customers who want
reliable, good-quality products or services, but who want them cheaply and easily. (Kotler,
p.686).Ex. Wal-Mart, Southwest Airlines, Dell Computer, and McDonalds.
Two operating characteristics common to these businesses are:
1. Commitment to standardization and simplicity. Ex.-McDonald’s has developed a set of
uniform procedures that provide for easy employee training and efficient operations.
2. The use of information technology. Ex. – Wal-Mart’s competitive advantage is based on
their investment in information technology that has resulted in the creation of a superior
logistics capability (Slater, p.39).
Customer Intimacy
This strategy concentrates on a narrow market segment by a deep understanding of its customer
and his perception of the value of the product or service offered. The company provides superior
value by precisely segmenting its markets and then tailoring its products or services to match
exactly the needs of targeted customers. It specializes in satisfying unique customer needs
through a close relationship with and intimate knowledge of the customers. It builds detailed
customer databases for segmenting and targeting, and empowers its marketing people to respond
quickly to customer needs. It serves customers who are willing to pay a premium for a service, or
special attention they receive (Kotler, p.686). Ex. Amazon, Land’s End
Customer intimate business focuses on understanding the customer and his perception of the
value of the product or service offered. Accompanying this orientation is a focus on the lifetime
value of a relationship. It costs only about one-fifth as much to make an additional sale to an
existing customer as it does to attract and sell to a new one. Thus the concepts of “customer
equity” and “customer share” instead of market share are central to the customer intimacy
business (Slater, p.38)
Product Leadership – This strategy concentrates on creating an innovative product/service line
and marketing program so that it is perceived to a broad spectrum of customers as being leading-
edge products or services. They provide superior value by offering its customers a continuous
stream of state-of-the-art products or services. The company seeks to identify emerging
opportunities and continuously strive to develop and deliver new products. They look for first
mover advantages. It is open to new ideas, relentlessly pursues new solutions, and works to
reduce cycle times so that it can get new products to market quickly (Slater, p.38, Kotler, p.686).
Ex. Sony, Microsoft, and Nike
They key task for product leaders if to maintain an environment in which focused creativity can
flourish. It requires a culture that encourages experimentation and risk-taking, one in which wee-
developed plans that fail are often celebrated rather than punished. Product leaders usually work
in multifunctional teams to shorten response times and development cycles. They recognize the
importance of developing platform technologies and products that become the foundation for
future products (Slater, p.39).
The basic differences among competitive strategies are:
1. whether a company’s market target is broad or narrow
2. whether it is pursuing a competitive advantage linked to low costs, product, or
understanding its customer. Any complex strategy uses one of these as the basis.
The following are the most basic strategies. We will be choosing one of these for each of your
segment/target markets.
Cost:
Cost Leadership Strategy – (Operational)
This strategy focuses on appealing to a broad spectrum of customers based on being the overall
low-cost provider of a product or service. Overall low cost does not refer solely to price. It refers
to the delivered cost to the customer. The company works to achieve the lowest costs of
production and distribution so that it can price lower than its competitors and win a large market
share.
• Dollar Tree Store, Motel 6
Operational Excellence – (Market Focused)
This strategy focuses on appealing to a broad spectrum of customers based on being the overall
low-cost provider of a product or service because of the firm’s focus on efficiency. The company
provides superior value to their customers by offering them lowest total cost. It works to reduce
costs and to create a lean and efficient value-delivery system. It serves customers who want
reliable, good-quality products or services, but who want them cheaply and easily.
• Wal-Mart, Southwest Airlines, Dell Computer, and McDonalds, Federal Express
Product/Service:
Differentiation Strategy – (Operational)
This strategy concentrates on creating a highly differentiated product or service line and
marketing program so that it is perceived to a broad spectrum of customers as being unique. The
company focuses on superior performance by targeting an important customer benefit valued by
a segment of market. Most customers would prefer to this product/service line if its price is not
too high.
• Victoria Secret, Marriott, IBM
Product Leadership – (Market Focused)
This strategy concentrates on creating an innovative product/service line and marketing program
so that it is perceived to a broad spectrum of customers as being leading-edge products or
services. They provide superior value by offering its customers a continuous stream of state-of-
the-art products or services. The company seeks to identify emerging opportunities and
continuously strive to develop and deliver new products.
• Sony, Microsoft, Nike, Johnson & Johnson
Customer:
Focused Strategy – (Operational)
This strategy concentrates on a narrow market segment by offering niche customers a
customized product or service that meets their tastes and requirements better than rivals’
offerings. The company focuses on targeting an important customer benefit valued by a narrow
segment of the market (buyer group, segment of the product line, or geographic market). The
entire focus strategy is built around serving a particular target very well.
• Microbreweries, local bakeries, bed-and-breakfast inns, boutiques.
Customer Intimacy – (Market Focused)
This strategy concentrates on a narrow market segment by a deep understanding of its customer
and his perception of the value of the product or service offered. The company provides superior
value by tailoring its products or services to match exactly the needs of targeted customers. It
specializes in satisfying unique customer needs through an intimate knowledge of the customers.
It builds detailed customer databases for segmenting and targeting, and empowers its marketing
people to respond quickly to customer needs.
• Amazon, Land’s End, Cable & Wireless, Home Depot
CRITERIA:
Now that you have a strategy for each customer group, make sure it is a winning strategy for
your company. A winning strategy must build a competitive advantage that can become
sustainable, fits the enterprise’s situation, and improves company performance. The following
criteria are to be used as thought proving questions. It is not necessary for your strategy to meet
all these criteria. However, they are presented for your consideration.
Tests of a Winning Strategy
A winning strategy must build sustainable competitive advantage, fit the enterprise’s situation,
and improve company performance. Tests can be used to evaluate the merits of one strategy over
another and to gauge how good a strategy is. The soundness of a competitive strategy depends on
how well it can satisfy the following tests: (Thompson, p.62 and Day, p.35-37, 41)
Sustainable Competitive Advantage Test
A good strategy leads to sustainable competitive advantage. The bigger the competitive edge that
a strategy helps build, the more powerful and effective it is.
• Will the strategy create and maintain a competitive advantage through some combination
of lowest delivered costs, or superior customer value?
• Is there an effective match of core competencies with opportunities and threats?
• Is there a basis for a competitive advantage that is sustainable in light of probable
competitive moves?
• Will the strategy put the business in a position to ward off known threats, exploit
opportunities, enhance current advantages, or provide new sources of advantages?
• Can the strategy adapt to a broad range of foreseeable environments?
 • How difficult will it be for competitors to match, offset, or leapfrog the expected
advantages?
• Does the strategy enhance the company’s competitive position for the long term?
• Does the build a company reputation and recognizable industry position?
The Goodness of Fit Test
A good strategy is tailored to fit the company’s internal and external situation. Without tight
situational fit, there’s real question whether a strategy appropriately matches the requirement for
market success.
• Is the strategy vulnerable to unacceptable environmental and internal uncertainties?
• Can these risks be managed or avoided?
• Does the strategy play aggressive offense to build competitive advantage and aggressive
defense to protect it?
Performance Test A good strategy boosts company performance.
• What are the gains in profitability?
• What are the gains in the company’s competitive strength and long-term market position?
• What are the prospects for successful implementation, feasibility, supportability,
consistency?
Competitive Advantages Do Diminish (Source Day, page 206-)
Most advantages are contestable as sustainability is only a matter degree. Consider a Price
Advantage. It is only a matter of time before a competitor can easily counter the price because it
becomes known to the marketplace. Due to reverse-engineering abilities, most product
innovation is quickly contested. As such, a couple of mechanisms are at work in most markets to
undermine the leader; however these factors can also benefit competitors seeking to attack.
• Protective barriers are weakened by technological and environmental changes. New
technology allows followers to either match or leapfrog the leader.
• Competitors can quickly learn how to imitate the advantage sources of the leaders by
researching the leader’s mistakes, hiring key personnel, and conducting research to
determine unfulfilled expectations of customers or the leader’s channel.
The following are situations when basically no competitive advantage is secure:
• Highly turbulent environment.
• Few barriers to entering the industry.
• Low asset intensity.
However, there can be some redemption in developing invisible assets. These generally exist in
the superior skills of personnel, the training or information they acquired, and their commitment
to the organization. Another is a unique corporate culture (such as a customer orientation) and
committed employees. Other invisible assets can exist outside the firm in a well-established
brand name, exclusive sources of raw material, or in reliable channel relationships. The
distinguishing features of invisible assets are:
1. They are unattainable with money alone, meaning difficult to copy.
2. They are time-consuming to develop.
 3. Generally they are capable of multiple uses.
Strategic Identification (Aakers, p.6, 28-31)
The identification of strategic alternatives is based on the determination of:
Product Market Investment Strategy
The Product-market scope is defined by…
• Product expansion – the products it offers and chooses not to offer.
• Market expansion – the markets it seeks to serve and not serve, the competitors it chooses
to compete with and to avoid.
• Vertical expansion – its level of vertical integration.
Growth directions
In the following product-market matrix, four growth options are shown.
• To penetrate the existing product market. A firm may attempt to attract customers from
competitors or increase usage by existing customers.
• To Product expansion while remaining in the current market.
• Apply the same products in new markets.
• To diversity into new product markets.
• Vertical integration adds another dimension to the product-matrix

Investment strategies
For each product market four investment options are possible:
 • Grow – invest to grow (or enter the product market.
• Maintain – invest only to maintain the existing position.
• Milk – Milk the business by minimizing investment.
• Withdraw – recover as many of the assets as possible buy liquidating or divesting the
business.
Functional Area Strategies
The development of a business strategy involves coordination of various function area:
• Product line strategy
• Pricing strategy
• Distribution strategy
• Communication messaging strategy
• Manufacturing strategy
• Information technology strategy
• Segmentation strategy
• Global strategy
• Internet strategy
The strategic assets or competencies that underlie the strategy and provide the sustainable
competitive advantage. Strategy formulation must consider the cost and feasibility of generating
or maintaining asset or competencies that will provide the basis for a sustainable competitive
advantage.
Strategic Positioning
Strategic positioning specifies how the business is to be perceived relative to its competitors and
market by its customers and employees/partners. It represents the essence of a business strategy
(Aakers). Positioning is the way the product/service is defined by consumers on important
attributes. The place the product/service occupies in the consumer’s mind in relation to its
competitors. (K&A, p.269)
Criteria For Strategy Selection (Aaker, p.30)
• Consider scenarios suggested by strategic uncertainties and environmental
opportunities/threats.
• Pursue a sustainable competitive advantage.
• Exploit organizational strengths or competitor weaknesses.
• Neutralize organizational weaknesses or competitor strengths.
• Be consistent with organizational vision/objectives.
• Achieve a long-term return on investment.
• Be compatible with vision/objectives
• Be feasible.
• Need only available resources.
• Be compatible with the internal organization.
 • Consider the relationship to other strategies within the firm.
• Foster product portfolio balance.
• Consider flexible.
• Exploit synergy.
Competitive Strategies - Based on Competitive Positions
There are different competitive strategies based on the different competitive position the firm
plays in the target market. Based upon the company’s competitive position, there are specific
marketing strategies. The following are strategies for market leaders, challengers, followers, and
nichers: (Kotler, 687-689 and Thompson, p.200-207)
Strategy for Market Leader
The firm in an industry with the largest market share. It usually leads another firms in price
changes, new product introductions, distribution coverage, and promotion spending.
• Expand total market
• Protect market share
• Expand market share
Market Challenger
A runner-up firm in an industry that is fighting hard to increase its market share.
• Full frontal attack
• Indirect attack
Market Follower
A runner-up firm in an industry that wants to hold its share without rocking the boat.
• Follow closely
• Follow at a distance
Market Nicher
A firm in an industry that serves small segments that other firms overlook or ignore. The firm
knows the target customer group so well that it meets their needs better than other firms that
casually sell to this niche. The nicher can charge a substantial markup over costs because of the
added value. An ideal market niche is big enough to be profitable and has growth potential.
• By customer, market, quality-price, service
• Multiple niching
Additional Competitive Strategies
First-Mover Strategies/ Preemptive Strategy – (Thompson, p.170) – A preemptive strategic move
is the pioneering implementation of a strategy into a business area that, because it is first,
generates an asset or competency that forms the basis of an sustainable competitive advantage.
For a preemptive move to create “first-mover advantages,” competitors must be inhibited pr
prevented from duplicating or countering it (Aaker, p.7).
Synergy Strategy - (Aaker, p.8) Synergy strategy occurs when a business has an advantage
because it is linked to another business within the same firm or division. The two businesses,
may be able to share a sales force, office, or warehouse and thus reduce costs or investment.
They may be able to jointly offer a customer a combination of coordinating products.
Tactical Issues and Program Formulation
Studies have shown that a 5% increase in customer loyalty can produce profit increases up to
85%. (Peppers & Rogers Group Newsletter – Oct. 2, 2002)
“Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and
distribution of ideas, goods, and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and
organizational objectives.” (American Marketing Association, 1985) This is not based on
customer actions, but firm actions.
Connecting with Customers through Segmenting, Targeting, and Positioning
• Segmenting: determining distinct groups of buyers (segments) with different needs,
characteristics, and/or behaviors. Can’t serve all profitably.
• Targeting: process of evaluating each segments attractiveness and selecting.
• Positioning: arranging for a product to occupy a clear, distinctive, desirable place in
target’s mind relative to competitors.
Probably a critical aspect for marketers in future will be to focus on Niches.
• Shifting aging demographics
• Entertainment explosion
• High income consumers
• Convenience
• New media
• Importance of brands
• Quality, pricing, and service
• Cause-related marketing
Develop the Positioning through Marketing Mix or 4 PsThe Marketing Mix (4 Ps) is a set of
marketing tools/tactics that the firm uses to pursue its objectives.
• Product – goods &/or service combination that a company offers a target market; defined
as an offering not just physical characteristics
• Price – amount of money consumers have to pay to obtain the product
• Promotion – activities that persuade target customers to buy the product
• Place – activities that make the product available
Tactics are the specific actions that lead to implementing your strategies. The tactics are broken
down in to four areas (product, price, promotion, distribution) and will provide the framework
for creating action items to accomplish your strategic market objectives of reaching your target
market. Together, they are a set of tools that the firm blends to produce a response it wants in the
target market. There are different tactical positions for each functional area based on the selected
strategy. The tactical positions reinforce your strategy.
From a product-focused approach, the four areas are defined as:
• Product: The product or service you are offering to your target market
 • Price: The amount of money customers have to pay to obtain your product.
• Promotion: The activities that communicate the merits of the product and persuade target
customers.
• Distribution: The company’s activities that make the product available to target
consumers.
From a customer-focused approach, the four areas are defined as:
• Customer Need
• Customer Cost
• Communication
• Convenience
Each tactical area contains numerous considerations and issues firms need to be aware of, and
sometimes address, when implementing strategies. This section addresses the considerations at a
high level and is meant to provoke further research if an issue pertains to your company. We will
provide you with a list of resources for each area.
Product
What is a product? A product is anything that can be brought to the market, which will provide
satisfaction. A product is more than just a physical object, which is why we refer to a product as
an offering. It includes physical objects, services, events, persons, places, organizations, ideas,
and any combination of these.
Are you offering a product or a service?

What is your customer “really buying” when he/she acquires your product?
Considerations for product/service identification Why do consumers buy products/services?
• Attributes- products are a “bundle” of attributes, which include quality, features, and
style & design.
• Branding- some type of designation that identifies the market or seller. Brand equity
management is critical for 21st century marketers.
• Packaging- it is used not just to contain the product, but has promotional value as well.
• Labeling- at least product identification, but can extend to in-depth descriptions and
promotion.
• Product support services – activities that augment the actual product.
Product life-cycle strategies Product life-cycle – estimation of a product’s revenues and profits
over the course of its life. This is another “tool” to assist a marketer in product/service strategies.
Provides a perspective to understand the aspects of the product. The five stages are:
• Product development begins when the company finds a new product. Sales are $0 and
heavy investment.
• Introduction provides a period of slow growth with nonexistent profits due to extensive
promotional costs.
• Growth is a period of rapid market acceptance and developing profits.
• Maturity is a period of slow growth, level profits, and increasing marketing expenditures
to defend the product’s position against competitors.
• Decline is a period of falling sales and profits.
Pricing Why is price important? Price is one of the major factors affecting buyer choice and
needs to be cohesive with the strategy you picked. Price is the only element of the four tactics
that produces revenues as the other areas represent cost areas. Common pricing mistakes include:
• Too cost-oriented rather than customer value-oriented.
• Not revised often enough to reflect market changes.
• Not taking the other 3 tactics into consideration.
 • Not varying enough for different products (in the mix), market segments, or purchase
occasions.
Considerations for Pricing Decisions There are both internal and external factors to consider
when setting prices.
Internal factors include
• Looking at your strategic market objectives and associated goals
• Looking at the benefits you are providing your customer. Customers typically seek out
products and services that provide the best value in terms of benefits received.
• Consider your costs for “production.” Costs generally set the floor for pricing
considerations.
• Assess your company and decide who should set the price.
External factors include
• Reviewing your SWOT analysis. The nature of market demand will generally set the
upper limit for pricing considerations.
• Considering how price sensitive your customers are. o Customer are not price sensitive
when product is high in quality, prestige or exclusiveness. Substitutes are hard to find.
Product price is low compared to customer’s income. o Customer are price sensitive
when products are commodities, similar across companies, and the market is flooded with
substitutes.
Prices need to be set somewhere between product costs and market demand.
Pricing Strategies/Plans There are three ways to look at pricing decisions 1) costs, 2) value, 3)
competition.

Promotion
Customers do not distinguish between messages sources about a company and its products, thus
the necessity to manage the total promotional program and ensure it is sending a unified
consistent message. This idea is called “integrated marketing communications.”
Definition: Concept for carefully integrating and coordinating a company’s many
communication channels to deliver a clear, consistent and compelling message.
Considerations for Promotional DecisionsTo deliver the message, a mix of the following well-
known communication tools are used:
Advertising – Any paid form of nonpersonal presentation and promotion of ideas, goods or
services through print and broadcast ads, packaging outer and inserts, motion pictures, brochures,
booklets, posters, leaflets, directories, billboards, display signs, pop displays.
Direct Marketing – Use of mail and telephone to communicate with or solicit a response from
customers by using catalogs, mailings, telemarketing, electronic shopping, TV shopping
Sales Promotion – Short-term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service
through contests, games, premiums, samplings, trade shows, exhibits, demonstrations, coupons,
rebates, low-interest financing, trade-in allowances, stamps
Public Relations – A variety of programs designed to promote and/or protect a company’s
image or its individual products through the use of press kits, speeches, seminars, annual reports,
charitable donation, sponsorships, publications, community relations, lobbying events.
Personal Selling – Face-to-face interaction with one or more prospective purchasers for the
purpose of making sales by using sales presentations, sales meetings, incentive programs,
samples, fairs and trade shows.

Here are the six steps using the above tools to creating an effective communication plan.
Step One – Identify the target audience. In this plan you determined the customer segments,
which are your target audience. Step Two – Determine the communication goals. Your strategic
market goals have been identified, but you may consider adding a goal here that directly relates
to this communications plan and segment. Step Three – Design the message. A good message
gets a customer’s attention, holds interest, arouses desire, and obtains action. A message must
have content, structure, and a format. Step Four – Select the communication tools, as listed
above. Step Five – Identify the message source. How is the message being communicated and is
the source credible for the message being delivered? Step Six – Evaluate the results. Did the
message have the intended impact on the target audience? Measure the behavior of the target
audience.
Promotion Strategies/Plans There are two basic promotion strategies/plans:

Distribution/Place
Distribution channels are ways and the process of making a product or service available to the
customer. For many years, distribution was not given much priority within company strategies.
However, in the past decade distribution decisions have risen in importance because channel
activities impact all other marketing and promotional activities. Companies or people in your
distribution channels in many instances provide greater efficiency in making goods and services
available to your target markets because of contacts, experience, specialization, and scale of
operation.
Considerations for Distribution Decisions
Companies and people in your marketing channel perform many key functions. Some help to
complete transactions through:
Information – Gathering and distributing market research and intelligence information about
forces in the marketing environment needed for planning and aiding exchange. Promotion –
Developing and spreading persuasive communications about an offer or your company. Contact
– Finding and communicating with your customers. Negotiation – Reaching an agreement on
price and/or other terms of the offer so that ownership or possession can be transferred. Physical
distribution – Transporting and storing goods Financing – Acquiring and using funds to cover the
costs of the distribution

Structure follows strategy. Alfred Chandler, Jr.

Those that implement the plans must make the plans. Patrick Hagerty, Texas Instruments
A strategic plan will provide a business with the roadmap it needs to pursue a specific strategic
direction and set of performance objectives. However, this is just a plan; it does not guarantee
that the desired performance objectives will be reached any more than having a roadmap
guarantees the traveler will arrive at the desired destination (Best, p.325).
The real strategy in strategic planning rests with turning your tactic into a strategy for your
company. Doing this requires effective implementation. Implementation is the process that turns
strategies and plans into actions in order to accomplish strategic objectives. Implementation
involves activities that effectively put the plan to work. Whereas the strategic plan addresses the
what and why of activities, implementation addresses the who, where, when, and how.
Implementation of the tactic drives the strategy of the company (Kotler, p.71 and Best, p.325).
While the strategy itself is important, the ability to execute it is the only thing that counts.
Strategy is a word that is thrown around liberally in most organizations. Task forces are formed,
consultants are hired, and extensive plans are written. Yet, still 90% of organizations are unable
to implement what they have spent so much time, effort, and money for planning. According to a
cover story in Fortune magazine, nine out of ten organizations fail to do so due to the fact that:
(Kaplan & Norton promotional brochures)
• Only 5% of the workforce understand their company’s strategy
• Only 15% of executive teams spend more than one hour per month discussing strategy
• Only 25% of managers have incentives linked to strategy.
• Only 40% of organizations link budgets to strategy.
• 60% of organizations do not link strategy to budgeting
• 75% of organizations do not link middle management incentives to strategy
• 86% of executive teams spend less than one hour per month discussing strategy
• 95% of a typical workforce does not understand their organization’s strategy
• the source of value has shifted from tangible to intangible assets, such as human and
information capital, that today comprise 85% of the market value of a typical company.
Organizations need a strategic management process that puts strategy at the center of what they
do.
To achieve business goals and objectives, a business needs not only a good strategic plan, but
also a well-executed implementation of the plan (Best, p.325). It is believed that implementation
is as important, or even more important, than strategy. The fact is that both are critical to success.
Actually, companies can gain competitive advantage through implementation if done effectively
(Kotler, p.71). There are three major forces that contribute to the successful implementation of a
strategic plan: Owning the Plan, Supporting the Plan and Adapting the Plan (Best, p.325).
Owning the Plan
The most common reason a plan fails is lack of ownership. If people do not have an ownership
stake and responsibility in the plan, it will be business as usual for all but as frustrated few.
Ownership of a plan can be enhanced with detailed action plans, a champion and ownership
team, compensation based on performance metrics, and top management involvement (Best,
p.326).
Detailed Action Plan
The development and use of a detailed action plan may be the single most effective practice in
determining the success of a strategic plan. A detailed action plan involves each aspect of the
strategy, but in greater detail with respect to specific actions that have to occur for the plan to be
implemented. As shown in the example below, for each action items specified, an individual is
assigned a specific responsibility, a measure or goal is delineated, and a time frame within which
the action item should be completed is agreed upon. In this way individuals have ownership,
understand their roles and responsibilities, and are accountable for implementing a portion of the
significant elements of the strategic plan (Best, p.327).
Champion and Ownership Team
Even though assigning individual responsibilities in the detailed action plan is a way to get
people involved in implementation, every successful strategic plan has a champion and/or
ownership team. A champion is a person who is devoted to the successful implementation of the
strategy and plan. Better yet is the creation of an ownership team, who can leverage the unique
talents of multiple people and exert more organizational leverage than a single champion (Best,
p.327).
The only way your tactics will be implemented is if everyone in the organization understands
your plan and is driven to make it happen. You must inform, sell, and rally your plan internally.
Let people know why the plan will make a difference for the company and for them. Encourage
their input on how to most effectively implement the tactics. Let these people tell you how they
can make the company better and help facilitate the success of the plan (Cook, p.105).
Management Involvement
Business owners or managers must stay committed to their involvement with the strategic plan
and review its progress. When owners or management lessen the time available to review the
plan and performance, they send an implicit signal of lack of interest and support. This signal
weakens the motivation of the ownership team and the chance for successful implementation
(Best, p.328).
Supporting the Plan
The support of a strategic plan are influenced by five key organizational components:
1. People – required competencies and skills of people, strategic leadership
2. Resources allocation – personnel, money, and time
3. Structure – required structural capabilities
4. Systems – communication, information, operating, planning, measurement and rewards
5. Culture
All must be in sync with each other and with the business strategy (Aaker, p.288, 305).
The figure below illustrates a conceptual framework showing how external analysis and internal
analysis provides a link to the strategy. The strategy in turn must successfully match and interact
with the five organizational components and organizational performance. Consideration of
organizational components can help a business identify actual and potential implementation
problems, as well as determine how its organization would adapt to a new strategy. Interactions
between organizational components should be considers, such as: (Aaker, p.288)
• Do the systems fit the structure?
• Do the people fit the structure?
• Does the structure fit the culture?

People Required Competencies and Skills of People

A strategy is generally based on an organizational competency that, in turn, is based on people.
People profiles and their motivation provide the bases of competencies needed to support
sustainable competitive advantage. Strategies require certain types of people (Aakers, p.292,
305). In addition to the type and quality of people, the motivation level can affect strategy
implementation. Motivation is enhanced if employees are empowered to accomplish their goals
and are linked to the corporate culture and objectives. Companies can accomplish these links in
part by providing titles, such as “host” (Disney), “partner” Starbucks, and “associate” (J.C.
Penny) (Aakers, p.294)
It is key to match the competencies in your organization to the needs of implementing your
strategy (Cook, p.106). The following questions will help you focus on your organizational needs
to implement:
• Do people implementing the plan have the required competencies to effectively
implement the strategy? At all levels, people who have the needed skills, motivation, and
personal characteristics must staff the company. Identify what competencies are needed
and then equip and train your people to deliver them. For example, a bank wanting to
improve customer satisfaction and retention may have to do some training to
communicate new policies and customer-oriented employee attitudes (Best, p.329). If a
gap exists, it may be necessary to hire people who already possess the skills needed.
• Does your strategy require skills of key management personnel in order for it to be
effectively implemented? Members of the management team may need additional
training to successfully implement the strategic plan. For example, a business
 implementing a program to get more new product sales may need to provide some
management training on the new product.
Strategic Leadership
While your tactic is market driven, your company strategy to support it must be top-down driven.
You need to exert the leadership to make it happen. As the owner, or one of the key executives in
your company, your actions send a message to your employees, which in turn set the tone for the
company. Consider the impact of your actions and the changes you may want to make in the
following areas: (Cook, p.108)
Shaping values, Molding culture, Energizing personnel, Promoting innovation, Encouraging
responsiveness, Promoting opportunism, Building consensus.
Resource Allocation
Successful implementation requires that the resources needed are fully committed to support
implementation of the strategic plan. Sufficient resources should be allocated with respect to
personnel and funding. If the resources needed are not systematically determined in the planning
process, most likely the plan will be underresourced. Thus, you need to focus personnel and
money toward effective tactic implementation (Best, p. 328). The following questions will help
you structure your thoughts and actions: (Cook, p.107).
In order to effectively implement the plan, the business is dependent on your existing
organization and resource capabilities (Cook, p. 104).
Personnel
How can you focus the individual’s performance of tasks on effectively implementing and
supporting the tactic, rather than just carrying out his or her duties?
• Assign and delegate responsibilities and have accountability. For each step in your
implementation, be sure you have a point of responsibility and accountability. This is so
you can go to the source to correct any problems that crop up (Cook, p.109)
• Don’t stretch your resources too thin. For each new responsibility you assign to
someone’s plate, check to see that they do not feel overloaded (Cook, p.109).
Money
What financial resources do you need to complete actions in support of the strategy? (Cook,
p.107)
Time
The time to succeed, along with market metrics that signal progress, are important aspects of
commitment to the marketing plan and successful implementation. Time to succeed will depend
on the marketing strategy and the nature of the market opportunity. A share penetration strategy
in an existing market should take less time to succeed than a strategy to enter a new market that
is undeveloped. With meaningful market metrics, a business a business can track why or why not
the plan is working (Best, p.328).
Structure
Organizational structure defines lines of authority and communication and specifies the
mechanism by which organizational tasks and programs are accomplished. Structure can vary in
the degree of centralization and formality of communication channels The following are various
types of business structures: (Aakers, p.288).
Centralization versus Decentralization Organization
One key structural dimension is the degree of centralization (Aaker, p.289).
• Centralized functional organization – consists of specialized groups in marketing, sales,
production, engineering, R&D, personnel, and administration. Centralization will
maximize the scale and synergies across the organization.
• Decentralized organization – consists of autonomous business units based on product or
market groups with the ability to develop strategies in response to the needs of the
markets they serve. Decentralization places the business strategists close to the market
and allows innovation with a minimum of bureaucracy. However, the economies of scale
and synergies across the organization are often difficult to achieve and inefficiencies and
duplications are created.
• Functional organization – consists of units organized by product or market.
• Matrix organization – is one in which a manager reports to two or three other managers
responsible for the product line.
Borderless Organization
Borderless organizations find ways to bread down boundaries within the firm. Cross-functional
management organizes around missions that involve a variety of functions to communicate
across organizational units such as divisions or country operating units. Various approaches
include task forces, best practices conference, and to set up coordination committees (Aaker,
p.290).
Alliance Networks
Markets and competitors can change significantly and it is import to be able to respond quickly.
There may not be time to develop needed assets and competencies, and responses that require
large commitments to new technologies and distribution channels. One solution is to form a
network of alliances and joint ventures with suppliers, customers, distributors, and competitors.
With such a network, needed assets can be made available instantly (Aakers, p.290).
Virtual Organization
A virtual corporation is a team of people and organizations (suppliers, customers, and
competitors) specifically brought together for a particular client or job. The people might include
contract workers who are hired only for the specific project. The core of the team is likely to be
located in a single building. Whereas some team members will be connected via computer
workstations. Thus, clients do not have to wait for an agency with the optimal set of
characteristics. For example: (Aakers, p.290).
• Advertising agency – form teams tailored to the needs of particular clients. Members of
the team my come from firms specializing in design, packaging, direct marketing,
promotion, brochures, and the media.
It is key to match the structure in your organization to the needs of implementing your strategy.
For example: Does your strategy require certain structural efficiencies if you are differentiating
on: (Cook, p.106)
• Speed of delivery – be sure that your delivery organization can satisfy the customer.
• Product reliability – be sure that your manufacturing operation strives for zero defects.
 • Extended billing arrangements – be sure that your financial organization can track
customer data and bill accurately and at the proper time.
Systems Management systems can all influence strategy implementation.
Communication System
The strategic intent of the plan must be aggressively communicated internally within the
company. Although business owners, management, and champion teams fully understand the
logic and tactics of the plan, others in sales, customer support, manufacturing, and finance, may
not understand the strategic objectives and strategy being implemented. As a result, these
employees, who may play key roles in successful implementation, will continue in a business-as-
usual mode of operation. It is important to facilitate communication and understanding of
strategic objectives, goals, and strategy.
• How can you improve organizational communication and effectiveness as it pertains to
implementing your strategy?
Information System
The information system and the technology, databases, and models on which it is based can
affect strategy. For example, manufacturers and retailers are affected by information technology.
New systems control inventory, ordering, pricing, and promotions. The ability to control
information generated by retail scanners can be key to their strategies.
The following questions will help you structure your thoughts and actions:
• Do your personnel have all the information they need to effectively implement the
strategy?
• Is customer information readily accessible to service personnel?
• Do salespeople have the proper promotional material to present the strategy effectively?
Operating System
Policies, procedures, information, and controls should support implementation. The following
questions will help you focus on these support issues: (Cook, p.107)
• Policies and Procedures – To effectively implement the tactic, are there any policy
changes needed within the company?
• Should you drive down the organization decision authority?
• Do you need to alter credit approval procedures to speed up order processing time?
• Should you strengthen quality control policies to drive towards zero defects?
• Controls – Do your controls keep implementation on course and not slow it down? Do
your control procedures facilitate customer satisfaction or hinder it? (Cook, p.107)
Planning System
Plans are nothing, planning is everything. Eisenhower
A scheduled strategic planned time for is key. Workshops and retreats are often crucial elements
in dedicating quality time to planning. Creative, out-of-the box think, aided by formal creative-
thinking exercises is a vital part of any planning system.
Planning should not be separated from the values, culture, and energy of the organization.
According to Henry Mintzberg “Managers with a committing style engage people in a journey.
They lead in such a way that everyone on the journey helps shape its course.” “Strategies only
take on value as committed people infuse them with energy. ” As a result enthusiasm builds.
(Aakers, p.292).
Measurement and Rewards Systems
Measurement can drive behavior and thus directly affect strategy implementation. The key to
strategy is often the ability to introduce appropriate performance measurements that are linked to
the reward structure (Aakers, p.292). Most people respond to financial rewards. Tying the
compensation of those principally responsible for implementation of the plan to performance
metrics increases the incentive to successfully implement the strategic plan. The overall goals of
compensation tied to market metrics is to create motivation and responsibility (Best, p.327, 328).
A concern in designing measurement and reward systems is to balance the short-term and long-
term perspectives. One approach is to use measures that have long-term horizons. Another
approach is to link the performance measurement to the nature of the business. For example:
(Aakers, p.292)
• A manager might be compensated if a loyalty measure or distribution goal is met three
years in the future.
• Firm can use stock options.
• A high-growth SBU could be measured on the basis of market share and customer
satisfaction.
• A low-growth SBU could be measured on ROA and cash flow.
Culture
It is important to create and nurture a strategy supportive work environment and corporate
culture. The reality is that people make a difference. Management has to create an environment
that connects employees to the organization’s mission, and motivates their creativity,
commitment and passion. (Dobni, p.401). The most successful companies have almost cultlike
cultures built around strong, market-oriented missions. At companies such as Walmart,
Microsoft, Walt Disney, employees share a strong vision (Kotler, p. 72).
Owners and managers must understand what behavior they are trying to develop and reinforce
with respect to the goals of the organization and the competitive realities. Ideas should be
canvassed from employees. Most employees can suggest what would be more effective for
achieving higher performance. After all, they are often closer to the customer and realities of
competition. Also involving them in the process will give them a clear ideal of what is expected
of them and help them buy into any changes that may be required (Dobni, p.401).
Organizational culture provides the key to strategy implementation because it is such a powerful
force for providing focus, motivation, and norms. Because organizational culture is difficult to
change, the fit between culture and strategy is important. Organization culture involves three
elements: (Aakers, p.294, 299)
Shared Values
Shared values or dominant beliefs define an organization’s priorities. Shared values can have a
variety of foci. For example:
• A key asset or competency that is the essence of a firm’s competitive advantage: We will
be the most creative advertising agency
• An organizational output: We will deliver zero defects or 100% customer satisfaction
 • A management style: This is an informal, flat organization that fosters communication
and encourages unconventional thinking.
• A belief: The importance of people as individuals.
Norms
To make a real difference, the culture must be strong enough to develop norms of behavior –
informal rules that influence decisions and actions throughout an organization by suggesting
what is and is not appropriate. The fact is that strong norms can generate much more effective
control over what is actually done or not done in an organization than a very specific set of
objectives and measures. Norms encourage behavior consistent with shared valued. For example,
sloppy work affecting quality would be informally policed by fellow workers, without reliance
on a formal system (Aaker, p.295).
Symbols and Symbolic Action
Cultures are developed and maintained by the use of consistent, visible symbols and symbolic
action. A few symbols and actions are as follows: (Aakers, p.296)
• A firms unique roots, including the personal style and experience of its founder, can
provide extremely potent symbols.
• Modern heroes and role models help communicate, personalize, and legitimize values
and norms.
• An owners/executive’s use of time. Ex. An owner who spends one week a month looking
at customer service.
• Patterns of consistent reinforcement activities – Ex. -firm that recognizes cost-saving
accomplishments
• Type of question continually asked by top executives
• Traditions – work life, celebration, retirement
Adapting the Plan
The strategic plan needs to be adaptive to survive changing or unanticipated conditions. Factors
that contribute to the adaptive nature of the plan are adaptive roll-out, persistence, feedback
metrics, and continuous improvement (Best, p. 330).
Adaptive Roll-Out
It is best to roll-out the marketing plan in a controlled manner to work out the kinks, both
internally and externally to ensure success. There are many benefits to a regional roll-out as
opposed to a nationwide launch: (Best, p.331).
• Fewer resources are required in a small-scale regional launch than in a nationwide
launch.
• Problems with distributors, marketing communications, and product positioning can more
readily be addressed and corrected on a small scale.
• If the plan is more effective than planned, additions can be made to production capacity
without the potential of stockout and the loss of opportunities to capture customers.
• Additional marketing insights will results that can be opportunistically integrated into the
marketing plan as full marketing plan implementation is pursued.
 • The financial metrics generated from a successful roll-out signal long-run profit potential
and can be used to help fund the full introduction.
Persistence
Successful implementation requires a high degree of owner/management persistence, particularly
when aspects of the strategic plan need to be modified. It is interesting to note that adaptive
persistence has been attributed to the success of many Japanese strategies. One of Japanese
management’s greatest assets is their inherent ability to adapt and persist throughout the
implementation of the plan. They remain committed to the strategic objectives and persist by
adapting their plans. It is their determination to make them work that underlies the secret of their
market success (Best, p.330).
Feedback Metrics
An essential element of any adaptive system is feedback. Key process metrics that provide
leading signals as to the success of the strategic market and implementation include:
• Customer awareness, interest, intentions to buy, trial, and repeat purchase.
• Intermediary market coverage, interest, support, and motivation.
• Business responsiveness to customer inquiries and problems.
Each of these market metrics has to reach an effective level of performance before financial
metrics, such as sales, market share, total contribution, and net profit can begin to perform (Best,
p.330).
The importance of market metrics is twofold:
1. They provide an early signal as to the progress of the marketing plan.
2. They provide a signal as to which aspect of the marketing plan is not working (i.e.
channel system, communications strategy, product-price positioning strategy) (Best,
p.330).
Continuous Improvement – Best Practices
A business must be flexible in modifying its strategic plan to adapt to the changing market
conditions. While the strategic plan sets the direction and provides the initial roadmap, once it is
in place, the flexibility to adapt is an important aspect of continuous improvement.
Continuous improvement involves evaluating the results of strategies and plans and taking
corrective action to ensure that objectives are attained. Graphically continuous improvement
looks like the following: (Kotler, p.73)

Assessing Plan Implementation

A good strategic plan, market strategy, and improved level of implantation effort will enable
your business to achieve a market success well beyond planned performance, and in a much
shorter time than expected. No one factor presented will make or break the successful
implementation of the strategic plan. However, when the sum of these factors is adequately
addressed, the chances for successful implementation are greatly improved (Best, p.331).
Sustaining Implementation
It is important to understand why some organizations have failed in attempts to develop
sustainable implementation contexts. Three primary reasons are:
1. Strategies supporting a product or service focus (product, price, promotion, place) are no
longer the differentiators they used to be. They have become generic and are easily
copied.
2. Brilliant strategies often succumb to not so brilliant implementation processes. There is
an inability to move strategy out of the boardroom and into the playing-field. Great
intentions outlined in an eloquently written strategic plan is supported by a poor,
fragmented or sometimes non-existent implementation plan.
3. There is often a failure to recognize the contributions that employees can have on strategy
implementation (Dobni, p.400).
The difference between average and top performing organization that have maintained a
sustainable competitive advantage lies in the ability of the later to provide superior customer
value on a continual basis. Value differentiation and superior performance is sustained through
distinctive capabilities possessed by employees. The organizations’ culture is the interface
between the employees and the environment that fosters the internal behaviors necessary to
develop a continuous cycle of innovation, and external relationships necessary to build
sustainable customer loyalty and commitment (Dobni, p.407.)
Studies reveal that the aggregate behaviors of the organization’s employees are responsible for
the implementation of company intentions. Strategy implementation fosters a competitive
position by leveraging on the distinctive skills and capabilities of employees and then selectively
directing these competencies as a basis to compete in the marketplace. In fact, employee
behaviors are much harder for the competition to understand and duplicate than generic
marketing actions, a piece of equipment, location of a firm, or access to a distribution channel
(Dobni, p.407).
Assessment of Strategic Plan Implementation (Best, p.332)
Implementation Techniques
The following are some helpful implementation techniques:
• Post-it Planning Process
The Post-it Planning process is a simple way to organize a complicated project into a
comprehensive strategy which anyone can follow. All you need are some small post-it notes and
news print or a white board.
1. Identify a goal or objective to be accomplished.
2. Brainstorm important milestones to be achieved in order to fulfill the goal. Write each
one down on a post-it note in the past tense.
3. Arrange milestones in a logical sequence on a poster board, adding other milestones as
you find gaps and/or missing tasks. Draw lines to show the relationships. Some tasks can
be accomplished simultaneously. Other tasks are sequential.
4. One task must be accomplished before beginning the next activity. Many are
interdependent. Sometimes 2-3 tasks must be finished before accomplishing the another
key milestone.
5. Rearrange milestones in a time sequence, maintaining the logical relationships. Complete
reality checks: Logical sequence? Realistic schedule? Adequate personnel? Sufficient
resources? Gaps identified?
Summarize the Plan of Action Summarize the plan of action you intend to take in a few
sentences by answer the following questions:
 • What do you intend to accomplish through this plan?
• What are the specific steps you will need to take?
• What assumptions or events about which you do not have certain information may affect
your plan as it unfolds?
• What resources do you have or will you need to carry out your plan?
• What limitations or barriers do you face in carrying out your plan? Which of these
barriers can be weakened or eliminated?
• What steps need to be taken according to what schedule to put your plan in action?
Field Test and Evaluate One of the reasons for failure to reach goals is starting too big. Begin by
developing a trial run to test the validity of goals and action plans without exhausting resources.
Reasons to run a pilot project:
• It allows the leader to test his/her own ability in handling the project.
• Small wins will build confidence in ability to accomplish greater things.
• Small wins can be used to generate support for larger vision.
• A pilot project can reveal where a plan needs adjusting in order to prevent failure.
• A pilot project allows an idea to fail without total devastation to all involved.
• Establish standards to measure effectiveness: what to measure, how to measure, when to
measure.
Evaluation after Implementing After every structured event, discuss what people learned. Simply
ask three questions and expect to get different responses.
• What just happened?
• Why do you think it happened?
• What can we learn from this?
Team Evaluations Implementing a successful plan is a process which includes developing and
maintaining good relationships and individual growth toward personal goals. Provide coaching
and support for leaders. Continue decision making and problem solving as you implement.
Evaluate periodically and make adjustments Some helpful keys to effective evaluations are the
following:
• Schedule evaluation times into your strategic plan; otherwise, people may not slow down
enough to reflect upon their effectiveness.
• Everyone involved in the project needs to be included in the evaluation in some way. A
thorough evaluation will include evaluating the people involved as well as evaluating the
process of the project.
• Nothing replaces face to face communication whether that is in a group or one-on-one.
Times of evaluation can be very intense.
• Find ways to give people a break in the intensity as needed.
Reflection questions for evaluation are the following:
• What measurable progress has been made toward achieving your goals?
• Have resources been adequately assessed? Is the project within budget?
 • How are members of the team being cared for and being motivated? Is an adequate effort
being made in each area?
• How has each team member contributed toward the effort? Is each person in their most
effective position?
• How do the achievements reflect the vision and mission of the organization?
• What obstacles have been encountered? Are adjustments needed in the process?
• How are people’s lives being changed for the better?
• Are there others who need to “buy in” to the plan?
Obtaining Information About Organizational Compontents (Aakers, p.299)
People
• What are the skills, knowledge, and experience of the firm’s employees?
• What is their depth and quality?
• What are the employees’ expectations?
• What are their attitudes toward the firm and their jobs?
Structure
• What is the organization’s structure? How decentralized is it?
• What are the lines of authority and communication?
• What are the roles of task forces, committees, or similar mechanisms?
Systems
• How are budgets set?
• What is the nature of the planning system?
• What are the key measures used to evaluate performance?
• How does the accounting system work?
• How do product and information flow?
Culture
• Are their shared values that are visible and accepted?
• What are these shared values and how are they communicated?
• What are the norms of behavior?
• What are the significant symbols and symbolic activities?
• What is the dominant management style?
Strategy
• Where would the new strategy fit into the organization?
• Would the new strategy fit into the strategic plan and be adequately funded?
• Would the systems and culture support the new strategy?
• What organizational changes would be required for the new strategy to succeed?
• What impact would these changes have? Are they feasible?
You may also be interested in:
• Building a Lasting Organization
• What’s Your Strategy? Choosing one Requires Knowing Your Options
Topics in this post: Implementation, Leadership |