Summary
In 2005, Michael A. Roberto and Lynne C. Levesque wrote an article titled the ‘The art of making initiative stick’. The article highlights critical area that management needs to implement to ensure the strategy assumed is successful. In this case, the article focuses on Customer Service enhancement (CSE). CSE is a strategy that was implemented by Apparelizm organization in 1990s to enhance organization performance.
Though the initiative initial outlay was overwhelming, the successful phase was short-lived as the momentum eventually declined. The management failed to sustain the initiative that caused the organization performances to be out-paced by competitors. Later the organization management opted to reestablish the CSE but this time affected the shortcoming that hindered the initial implementation.
This article is in line the knowledge gained in class since it focuses on requisites of effective implementation of the strategies. The main emphasis is built on focusing on team dynamic and enhancing employee cohesiveness. Once the team dynamics are enhanced, the management focuses on internalizing the organization initiative, experimenting and mobilizing employee to enhance performance. With this approach, the second implementation of the initiative bore massive outcome.
Key Learning Points
Effective implementation of the initiative requires the management to be resilient in implantation of the strategic initiative. The main issues that should be establishing baseline measure of assessing the organization performance in relation to the competitors. Second, the management should ensure participation on the entire team in implementation of the initiative.
Third is identification of the reason why the initial initiative failed. The fourth area is internalizing the problem to have a first hand experience as is the case with consumers. To obtain the first hand information the management organized “mystery shops” where employee operates as the customer do.
The other area of interest is identification of problem as formulation of solution mechanism. The management needs to define the problem and formulate the modernity to solve them. The first process is instituting core processes, fostering conducive working environment by mobilizing workers, to produce the require outcome. All these factors stimulate performances.
Critical Analysis
The article present systematic information on how any organization can effectively implement the organization strategic plan. Although the ideas presented in the article are familiar with the knowledge acquired in college.
However, it is evident that success of any strategy is not dependent on its face value but on the approach used to operalinalize it. Successful implementation of the strategic plan require the management to develop a well organize mechanism of making the strategy a success. The article is has no controversy in itself but offers reliable solution to any organization problems.
The approach used in the article is highly applicable in solving management problem and more so in dealing with strategy implementation. It helps in dealing with emotional needs as well as motivation factors. The in-depth process of dealing identification of the problem helps the organization to deal with its current predicament. Similarly, from the brainstorming session helps organization in identification of other related shortcoming as well as developing the methods of solving the inherent problem.
Learning Reflections
Several vital lessons have been extracted from the article on how to institute and implement a successful strategy in any organization. Some of the most essential lesson obtained are emphasizing on both emotional and structural context. This information is variable in enhancing management organization as well as improvement on problem solution skills.
However, the main shortcoming of the strategy implementation is the long decision making process coupled with tricky group dynamics. The other challenging aspect that is presented by the initiative is redefining is job description. Most organization has firm job description and readjustment may cause employees role to overlap thus exacerbating the situation.