proliferation of strategy and operational management tools

 the strategic managment process generally starts with themission , vision and values statement called the MMV stage. Next comes the external environmental analysis which is political, economic, social and technological. although i strongly think another important element along with social is cultural, given the new iternational diversity mixing and companies moving across border. i will name these PESTC analysis. 

Then comes the strategy formulation part for which Porters five forces model, copetitive positining framework , resource based view of strategy , core competancy , disruptive strategy and blue ocean strategy.

all these strategies are translated and communicated using balance scorecard and strategy maps. the organization usually cascade high level strategic objectives to specific goals and targets for operating departments and follows the Management by objective (MBO) to set goals for individual employees. 

along with this , to improve efficiency and responsiveness of teir operating systums and to promote continuous improvement, organizations employ TQM methods like six sigma, kaizan etc.

now to the tools !!!! 

organizations now have sophesticated analytical tools to review the performance of their strategies , including customer relationship management softwares, and activity based costing.

the major problem is these work as an adhoc systum and not in a coherent manner. the common management systum is still financial budget. 

the organizations need to put these ad hoc systums together and start taking a systums approach to link strategy with business and thats todays mantra for success. !!!!!!

so what is this strategy all about???

Here in this section i will try to explore what is this buzz word strategy and what is the hoopla all about....  

 An integrated and coordinated set of commitments & actions designed to exploit FIRM’S competencies and gains and gain a competitive advantage. 

 Strategy is about bringing the organization is the “best possible position”    To address  the customer demands in the best possible way by a firm.   

All said and done, with this, the hoopla was created, ok have a strategy and we will be best, 
we forgot one thing.. We have to implement that organization wide.   

A strategy focused organization generally implements theory into practical through these five broad steps , which were proposed by Prof. Kaplan and Prof. Norton.   

these steps are  

 1. mobilize change in your organization through executive leadership and prepare    everybody by gathering their support and enthusiasm for the better .  

 2. Translate strategy into operational and measurable terms, so that control can be implemented.  

 3. Align your organization to the strategy.  

 4. Motivate your employees to make strategy an everybody's job. 

 5. Govern to make strategy a continual process.    

If we talk in the terms of process the entire process can be summarized with following 6 word chain    Translate strategy--manage initiatives--align organization--communicate--review--update.      

why this blog ???

 A wise man has once said strategy withought tactics is the slowest route to victory and a tactics withought strategy is the noise before defeat..

Prof Porter has also stated for a supirior performance operational effectiveness and strategy both are essential, but they work in very different ways.

a good strategy which is not linked to the processes and control variables of an organization cannot be implemented. its just a dream of being good , doing good , and not doing anything about it. in todays scenarios, a business cannot afford to be a nero in the burning roam.

on the other prespective, operational excellence may provide an organization lower cost of production, improved quality, and a reduced process time and lead times. But, and its a huge but.... withought a strategy and vision, this organization will not enjoy sustainable competitive success from its position as it will stagnate and will be overtaken one day by the competition.

Thus , here is this blog utility. this blog will make an attempt to understand what and how we can link strategy to operational tactics and parameters to gain a competitive and sustainable advantage..