Bottom line. Profit and Loss. Meeting objectives. Retaining staff.
During lean and uncertain times these words are often magnified. You may hear it multiple times
throughout the day as opposed to weekly, monthly, or quarterly. When resources are scarce, including
staff, there is often an obsession to keep the company on track. It is during these times that strategic
leadership becomes more important than ever. With so many challenges surfacing at once, knowing
how to manage with strategic direction becomes essential for survival. Managing competing priorities
becomes your first order of business.
The first step is to determine where to focus your attention. You must identify goals, what needs to be
accomplished, and in what order. Next, you will need strategies to accomplish each goal. Keep in mind,
developing strategies should not be a solo function – do not work in isolation. Communication is
essential. Team members need to know that they are valued. Besides, you will need your team’s ideas,
support, and commitment to truly be successful.
Managing the team effectively to ensure everyone is doing what is expected is vital. Remember to
create a schedule and process to consistently monitor how well the strategies are being carried out.
Accomplishing the goals is highly dependent on implementing the strategies as agreed.
Finally, regular reviews are essential to determine when strategies need to be revised or perhaps
eliminated. You must keep your eyes on the competition and all factors that contribute to the success
or failure of your company. Nimbleness and flexibility should be used to determine when change is
needed. Do not become so attached to the strategies that you are not willing to change. Revise the
strategies or change strategic directions when necessary. Remember, change is constant.
Written by Brenda Arrington
More information about Brenda can be found here
