Strategy:
Communicating your Strategy
"I was in a warm bed....Now I am part
of a plan!"
Woody Allen
The issue...
Research shows as few
as 5% of the people in an organisation understand the strategy.
Even if that is out by a factor of 10 it represents only half:
and that is worrying. Just think how many people don't understand
your organisation's strategy?
Even amongst a management
team, you may have noticed that there can be different interpretations
of what the strategy means, and how it will be implemented.
Strategy does not exist
in plans: it exists in people's heads. The catch is that
if it is not your strategy that is their heads when they
make decisions, then whose strategy is being carried
out? Certainly not your strategy. Scary isn't it?
Some people even argue
that you should not communicate your strategy in case your competitors
find out. I find that an astounding idea: If your strategy is
so easily copied that as soon as your competitors find out, they
can undermine it, that just represents an unsustainable strategy.
Communicating strategy
starts with the management team: Are you all leaving the board
room with the same understanding? Do you all believe the same
about what needs to be achieved and how you will achieve it?
The things that stop
communication can be many and varied. Often they are quite subtle.
They can be how you communicate: the words, meanings, metaphors,
pictures, underlying messages, and even what you don't say. Sometimes
it is in the actions you take to support the changes you are trying
to bring about.
Over many years of
working with a vast variety of clients in the commercial and public
sector, we have developed practical, easily learnt and executed
ways that will improve the way you communicate your strategy.
Ways that make it compelling, that engage the heads, hearts and
hands of your people, so they get it; and so they can execute
it with you. That is what we do.
Some choices
Buy the book: Communicating
strategy addresses these issues. Click here buy the Communicating Strategy book.
Newsletter:
If you
are willing to wait, or just want a taster, then sign up for our
newsletter, which will include articles on some of the the different
forms of strategic communication.
Presentations
& training: We offer presentations, training
and talks on strategic communication. These range from 2 hour
briefings to whole day workshops or customised training over a
period.
Strategic
planning away days: We regularly facilitate away
days for clients to help them develop their strategy. We usually
work with the Chief Executive/Managing Director and the team beforehand
so that the best use is made of the limited time together. These
sessions are designed so you are able to communicate your strategy
in a compelling and effective way.
Strategic
communication reviews: How well is your strategy
understood? We have tools and diagnostics that help you understand
where weaknesses might be in the communication of your strategy,
and help you to fix them.
Publications:
As well as having two books on aspects of strategy, in
preparation for publishing, we are preparing some shorter e-books,
CDs and workbooks. If you are interested in what these might contain,
or looking for something specific, let us know.
Have
an exploratory conversation: As you think how
we could help you, and want to explore things with us, just call.
What
we do... We help you:
-
Document and present the strategy in a way that is easy to
communicate. In many cases it is on as few as three pages.
-
Present the strategy in a way that engages the maximum number
of people and their thinking styles.
-
Tell the story of the strategy, so the passion, vision and
the logic show through. Moreover, it is a compelling story,
and people can see how it works
- Test the extent to which the message has got through, so you
learn where to adjust and refine it, or where more work is needed.
Next steps
Sign up for our newsletter.
Or to discuss your particular strategic thinking needs, contact
us. The number is below.
Buy the book: Communicating Strategy addresses
these issues. Click here to go to the dedicated Communicating
Strategy book website where you can buy the book.
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