Execution

This is where the rubber hits the road. Winston Churchill said, "However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results." Meaning that a plan needs to be executed before it adds value.

The act of planning is to make choices and priorities. Normally, the implication is that some new activities and projects will need to be started. Not many of the businesspeople I have worked with over the years have had lots of spare time on their hands. Quite the opposite. So getting these new projects and roles done can be a challenge. In my experience, one of the biggest challenges to the successful execution of a plan is to figure out what the owner and other key people are going to stop doing, so that they can prioritise the new activities and projects crucial to the plan - and then exercising the discipline to stick to those decisions.

Quite often when we are trying to get fit, we engage the services of a personal trainer. He or she helps us get fitter faster through two main methods. First, they know well which exercise regime each of us needs to do, in order to get to where we want to go. Secondly, and just as importantly, they supplement our own discipline to make sure we actually do the exercise.

In the same way, I can help you successfully execute your plan. My business experience (click here to review it) means that I can recommend an approach to execution that matches your unique circumstances and operating style. And I can also help you build the disciplined habits that are so important to successful execution, by starting them with you, and supporting you as you take them on yourself. If you want to discuss how I can help you successfully execute your plan, email me at chris@cashtree.co.nz or phone me on 021 444691.

I help clients to successfully execute their plans by taking a coaching role for an agreed period of time after the completion of their plan. This typically involves the owner and I meeting (sometimes with two or three other senior managers in the business) once a month for two hours. This time can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the most pressing issues, but in all cases I will be pushing very hard for the on-time execution of the plan, keeping you honest and helping to re-focus you onto the things that will help you achieve your goals. Examples of the ways in which the time can be used are:

• Developing a 90 day action plan for the owner and the other key people in the business. This type of plan is very detailed, specifying exactly which tasks need to be done by when and by whom, if the plan is to be achieved by the target timeframe.
• Developing a review process, and piloting that process. A review process should provide for monthly meetings, where each action item from the 90 day action plan is reviewed in detail. These meetings need to be focused on the plan, without any day to day distractions, and should cover off everything that was supposed to be done the previous month, who was accountable for doing it, whether it was done or not, and if not why not. How delays are going to be recovered and obstacles overcome. The manner in which the owner conducts these meetings is a vital factor in the success or failure of the plan execution. More comprehensive reviews on a quarterly basis should take a fresh look at how the plan is progressing, how developments in the market might require refinements to it, and what the priorities are for the next quarter.
• Personal coaching for the owner and key managers. This is designed to provide the senior team with the management skills they are going to need in order to be able to deliver the plan on time. Topics covered might include delegation, giving feedback to employees, interpersonal skills, personal effectiveness. It might also include some challenge sessions on a one-to-one basis if the owner is experiencing difficulty in making the changes necessar
• Depending on the results of the review process, a revision of the plan may become necessary

As well as operating in the coaching role, I can also undertake some consulting projects if they are required. For example, I can re-design a key process in your business for you, or help you to select and appoint a key member of staff.