How to Achieve Strategic Alignment
- 1). Review the current status. Jim Bolt explains in his article "Creating Strategic Alignment through Executive Development," in Fast Company, that you should look at the organization's marketplace challenges, strengths and weaknesses, company vision, key strategies for achieving the vision, and the capabilities that are most needed to achieve the vision and execute the strategies.
- 2). Develop a clear vision statement. After reviewing the current status of the business, either create a vision statement or strengthen the current one so that it is clear and understandable. Ensure that it touches on business, function, team and individual goals. In addition, Bolt advises that it should allow for employees to be equipped with the capabilities needed to achieve the vision, live the values and successfully execute the strategies.
- 3). Meet with executives within the organization. Provide other executives and top managers with copies of the vision statement draft and invite them to make improvements. The key with strategic alignment is to involve all leaders within the organization, as it will have a higher chance of acceptance with employees later if the leadership is on board.
- 4). Invite all employees to a mandatory workshop. Schedule a workshop and make it mandatory for employees at all levels to attend. The goal of this workshop it to effectively communicate the vision, and how the company plans on achieving its goals. Include team-building activities and examples of what the expectations are from its employees. It is also effective to offer a rewards-based program to recognize employees that adopt this new direction moving forward.
- 5). Follow up with employees. After the workshop, remind management and employees of the necessity of achieving strategic alignment, communicate with them as goals are achieved, and publicly reward employees who have significantly contributed. This can be done by setting up a company blog, accessible for employees only.
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