Should the Strategy be Communicated? How Much? To Whom?
Communicating strategy involves much more than talk. There are numerous pitfalls or issues which must be resolved for the strategy to be effectively communicated. For example, in some instances executives argue with good reason that to fully communicate the organization´s strategy is to court (Editor: ~attract) disaster. Thus, one CEO has a five year strategy which, when it is fully implemented, will mean severe disruption to a major subsidiary. He does not want to rock the boat prematurely. An energy company thought it wiser not to publicize its strategy because it would become a sitting duck for regulatory agencies.
 Such reservations have merit. Discretion may indeed be the better part of valor. Fully communicating strategy may not always be in the best interest of the organization, especially where that strategy is sensitive. Each situation has its own constraints, There is no one formula guiding how much strategy to communicate. However, where limitations are put on communications, those limitations must be carefully considered. They may not only handicap a manager´s ability to keep decisions consistent with the overall strategy, but they may erode commitment to the organization.
Regardless of where you are on the strategy-communications continuum, from significant discretion to full disclosure, critical issues about communication must be allowed to surface and be resolved. What should be communicated about the strategy and where and when should it be said? How much should be said and to whom? Stockholders? Middle Managers? Supervisors? Employees? Union Leaders? Customers? Government? What forms should the communication take? Who should do the communicating? These questions seem relatively straightforward, but recall the situation mentioned earlier in which a corporate strategy meant severe disruption to a major subsidiary.
X
Welcome to the Strategy Maps best practices. The topic being discussed here is: "Should the Strategy be Communicated? How Much? To Whom?".
Sign up now to gain access. It's easy and 100% free.
Log in
|
|
|
3 |
|
Alan Kennedy, Canada
|
|
The Focus of Communicating Strategy
Maybe the point Mr Christensen is making is that agreeing on a strategy and communicating it are two... Sign up
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
GLADYS TIBALEKA, Uganda
|
|
Communicating Strategy
@Y Srinivas rao: I agree with you that communicating strategy is all about timing. When and to what ... Sign up
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
RAKESH ARORA, India
|
|
Strategy Communication on a Need to Know Basis
The answer does not lie in a Yes or No. Infact, the answer is a mix of pragmatism and experience. Ap... Sign up
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Andrea Kelly, Jamaica
|
|
Communicating Strategy is Important
The communication of strategy is important to build the strategy map to achieve what is intended. Co... Sign up
|
|
|
|
-2 |
|
Ngwashu kelvine, Cameroon
|
|
Communicating your Strategy Could Help Develop Organisational Framework
McKinsey didn't make a mistake to include 7Ses in their 7S framework or concept. Which means to deve... Sign up
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
HAIDER ANWAR RASHID, Saudi Arabia
|
|
Without Communication, Strategy Will Remain Wishful Thinking
@Pat Hannon: Yes, a strategy is only as good as execution. There are many cases when a good strategy... Sign up
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Alan Kennedy, Canada
|
|
To Communicate the Strategy we first Need to Understand it...
Communicating the why's, how's, and what's of strategy assumes a good understanding of those factors... Sign up
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
zulganef sutan sati, Indonesia
|
|
Strategy Must be Communicated
@Erika Bellander: How could you differentiate between strategy and the plan that breaks down from th... Sign up
|
|
|
|
|