Every effective leader I have ever known understood that their impact on the success of their organization was based on their vision, values and core beliefs they shared with all their employees. Those companies that create effective strategic plans try to capture the vision, values and core beliefs in a simple brief explanatory communication called a "Core Strategy Statement". 

But, behind everyone of the core strategy statements are the legends, the emotions, and tribal knowledge that affect the decisions of employees on a daily basis. The Core Strategy Statement is simply a short way of expressing the company's end game vision and the strategic roadmap they will use to accomplish the goals established in their strategic initiatives.

To succeed in today's economic environment leadership must build a foundation that allows the creative energy released by employees to actually work. We must leverage employee dedication and sacrifice that stems from ownership of the Vision-Values and Core Beliefs. The following tips can help you get started down that path to strategic success:

Create your End Game Vision - This vision of the future embraces your values and core beliefs.  However it also defines your destination and what your company should look like five to seven years in the future. What changes do you want the company to make for the future? What are your revenue, profit and product goals? What should the culture be like? Where should you invest your resources? Ask yourself the following questions from the perspective of looking five to seven years into the future.

• What markets should your company serve five years from now?
• What products should you distribute?
• Who are your primary competitors?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your competitors' strengths?
• How has your marketing strategy changed?
• What are your core competencies?
• Are you participating in the right business segments?
• How is your revenue stream segmented?
• Do you have a Human Resource Development plan?

Sell the Vision - Create a strategy team and present the End Game Vision to them with unobtrusive instructions for them to tear the vision apart and put it back together. The only rule should be that they can change or redefine anything they want as long as they offer an alternative. The objective is to have this strategy team of 8 to 12 people actually take ownership of this vision because this vision becomes the platform to create the strategic plan. The strategic plan becomes the roadmap to success.

Create a Core Strategy Statement - When employees make decisions they should always be aware of the impact on the strategic initiatives that are defined clearly in this "Core Strategy Statement". The statement should encourage them to ask whether their decision is in alignment with the strategic initiatives. Publicize the Core Strategy Statement. Vision and values become much clearer when they are publicized at every opportunity. When behavior consistent with the vision and values is praised and publicized, recognition and clarity improves exponentially.

Develop or Refine Your Strategic Plan - Strategic planning is a creative process the starts with the visionary creativity of the owner or CEO. The fresh insight it engenders might very well alter past initiatives. Planning also consumes resources which are precious commodities. It can be an overwhelming and daunting task, but it is a process that eventually defines the direction and activities of the organization.

Despite its overwhelming nature, the benefits of planning can far outweigh the hard work and pain involved in the process. Strategic planning is a key process that adjusts an organization's direction in response to a changing environment. It supports the fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide an organization. A sound strategic plan can help define and focus a company's efforts to move the company in the right direction, using the best methods. It can and often does create competitive advantage.

A well thought out Strategic Plan is essential for a business to be successful. Unfortunately, many businesses fail when it comes time to implement their plans. The result can be wasted time and money as well as numerous missed opportunities. (E-mail rick@ceostrategist.com if you would like to discuss the creation or implementation of your strategic plan) Create a Performance Management System.

Today, only half of employees understand how their actions relate to company goals. Over 40% feel their compensation is not adequately tied to job performance, and over 75% say their company does not reward them or motivate them to achieve goals. Most employees do not even have a clear understanding of what's expected of them or how the company is evaluating them. You can use a task tracking system, scorecards or any other performance management system to insure accountability. 

Lack of Execution
Remember the predominate reason the majority of strategic plans fail is due to the lack of execution. Performance management is the key to insuring the success of your strategic plan. If you need help in this area CEO Strategist can introduce you to the system we now use in all our strategic planning and contingency planning projects. It is a revolutionary performance management system that integrates your organization's vision and values with the daily activities of your people. It is part process, part software, and part roadmap. 

It motivates your organization, teams and employees to work together to reach goals and to head off problems before they become big. It is not an automated performance appraisal masquerading as a performance management system. This system is a true performance management system that focuses on ongoing communication and feedback, the two characteristics that have proven time and time again to be the keys to successful performance management.

Check out CEO Strategists Learning to Lead So Others Will Follow Planning Workbook and CD set.
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www.ceostrategist.com – Sign up to receive "The Howl" a free monthly newsletter that addresses real world industry issues. – Straight talk about today's issues. Sign up now and download "The Lead Wolf Interview Guide & Sales Training 101 a guide on conducting effective sales training sessions". Rick Johnson, expert speaker, wholesale distribution's "Leadership Strategist", founder of CEO Strategist, LLC a firm that helps clients create and maintain competitive advantage. Need a speaker for your next event, E-mail rick@ceostrategist.com.