Why your business strategies won't work

Picture the scene. The Chief Executive of Endangered PLC, Ms D Point in a doctors surgery in her local village.

• Receptionist: Ms Point, The Business GP will see you now.

• Ms P: Thank you.

Ms P makes her way gingerly down to the door of her Business GP. ‘Come in' says a friendly voice in response to her gentle, if not hesitant, knock.

• GP: Good morning Diane, how can I help you today?

• Ms P: Well I am er…..a little perplexed and sick.

• GP: Go on (gestures the doctor) please tell me more.

• Ms P: Well. The board went away in the early part of the year for the annual strategy review. When we came back we did the 2-3 day road show to share this strategy with the workforce – as we do every year.

• GP: I see. (Leaning forward) So tell me more.

• Ms P: I just feel, well, that the workforce either don't get it, don't buy it or generally try to find ways round the objectives.

• GP: Well you can't go round making accusations like that!

• Ms P: Why not?

• GP: Because I said so!

• Ms P: Well that is not exactly fair or rational is it?

• GP: Exactly (he says smiling)…………Now lets talk some more. Why do you present the strategy the way you do?

• Ms P: Well we have always done it that way, and surely everyone knows the board is best positioned to formulate the strategy.

• GP: Are they now? (Stroking his chin)

Taking a piece of paper he draws a diagram.

Showing the diagram to Ms P he says.

• GP: How you see something depends on where you sit. It doesn't matter if it is a bunch of flowers, or a corporate strategy.

• Ms P: Perspective? (Pauses while gathering thoughts) So its like looking at the moon, the board only see part of it but the workforce see all of it.

• GP: Yes. Exactly. For the workers strategy is something done to them. A moment ago you didn't like being told what to do, and furthermore as a board you can only see a small cross section of what needs to be done. To see the ‘whole of the moon' you must firstly gain all of the perspectives. A good Japanese herbalist friend of mine says you must always ‘go to the place' – until you do you will never truly know.

• Ms P: I understand what you are saying BUT (a look of horror in her eyes)….we have too many workers to manage something like that.

• GP: So what about a collective. No hang on, a forum?

• MS P: A cross section of business representatives to help us focus on the whole?

• GP: Exactly, and just think what that will do for morale, understanding, and completeness.

• Ms P: So what do I do next then?

• GP: (Writes on his prescription pad) I suggest you take one forum each month for six months. Then lets review the progress, but remember:

1. The more you know the less likely you are to be asked – so choose your team carefully.

2. No hierarchies – everyone presents for at least 10 uninterrupted minutes in every session.

3. Consider everything.

4. Have fun. (Handing Ms P the prescription and smiling)

• Ms P: Thank you so much.

• GP: Remember I am always here.

• Ms P: I will.

Ms P leaves the room. The GP completes the note in the file and phones to reception ‘I'll see Mr Branson for his usual 11.00 now, Jean'