Week 94 (1.2.09)

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Strategy development as Managerial Intent -
Exploring Corporate Strategy by Gerry Johnson & Kevan Scholes

Strategy should come about through highly systemised forms of planning. Formalised planning can, however, be useful in various ways:

• It can provide a structured means of analysis and thinking about complex strategic problems, requiring managers to question and challenge what they take for granted.
• It can be used as a way of involving people in strategy development, therefore helping to create ownership of the strategy and contributing to the co-ordination of resources to put it into effect.
• Strategic planning may also help to communicate intended strategy.
• It can be used as a means of control by regularly reviewing performance and progress against agreed objectives or previously agreed strategic direction.

There may be danger if managers responsible for the implementation of strategies, usually line managers, may be so busy with the day-to-day operations of the business that they cede responsibility for strategic issues to Sales Executives.

Unlearn

NIL

Relearn

Consciously aware that I need to have regular field visit to branch office, to ensure that my managers implement 2009 strategies successfully.

For example, in our Lipitor new pricing strategy took effect in February, i had been engaging with my managers via telecom after 2 weeks of implementation to solicit market feedback. Also, recently i had visited Melaka and Penang to meet up with internal and external customers in following through customers response towards Lipitor new pricing strategy.