Harvard Business Review

Susan,
very good post.

I like very much the sentence 'making strategy is a group sport'. Unfortunately the approach that I see more used are:
1. the visionary approach: THE leader has visions while sleepings and 'paint' strategies
2. the bureaucratic approach: someone compiles a set of forms and put it in a drawer

PierG
http://pierg.wordpress.com

Great insight into the topic. Thanks Susan.

Can a salesperson selling technology solutions to mid and large organizations apply the same approach?

Regards,
Ajay

tonyeagle@worldnet.att.net

This a very great posting, susan

Interesting phrase - "strategic stalemate" and powerful closing message on your post.

PierG: Was about to share the link for this article to you and incidentally found your comment already here.

Vel.

This is a key issue - defining strategic content. The issue and a solution is described well.

Check out our book - From Business Strategy to IT Action - which is built around the issue and provides some guidance.

Also check out our updates on the Cutter.Com site (under my name) where we spend considerable time on this subject.

Bob Benson

Hi Susan,

I think you hit the nail on the head with the phrase 'strategic stalemate'!

Why do projects get rejected even when they claim to increase significant key performance indicators such as customer satisfaction, etc? I think they cannot build a powerful case because of a disconnect with this benefit and the company's overall strategy.

Somewhere a strategy needs to be articulated and cascaded down to the grassroots. Hence an EVA should be cascaded to a level where an area sales manager knows just how much is he supposed to sell. Your five step program is what an IT function should start off with.

However, this can only happen when there is a thorough understanding of the business in terms of processes and activities. Just which of the hundreds of processes, when improved would result in an increase in that key performance indicator which the powerpoint presentation promises?

Here we get into the realm of business consulting and tools and concepts such as process re-engineering, change management, Balanced Score-cards, etc. This brings us to an important point. Are IT teams of today equipped to provide these solutions? Can these presentations analyze the impact of technology on processes and how these processes would change in the new scenario, how it would impact roles, what are the change management initiatives required and finally how these processes would impact the benefits that they promise to delivery.

Unfortunately, the chasm between business consulting and IT is quite wide today. An IT project cannot deliver business benefits though technology alone. It is only when this initiative is bundled with other initiatives such as process re-engineering, job re-design can it achieve its goal.

Regards

Prashant

Hello:)
You guys are the business wizards,and I'd say many will have no real jobs to go to pretty soon. Is theere some Prof. out there that can assist me?

If you see the liquidity flush as merely throwing $$ at a massive problem, then perhaps you understand this is leading US down the wrong path. 2009 will see auto dealerships across the globe closing, so the problem is not unique to US. Having available credit, means nothing to people that are jobless. When your govt acknowledges that the source of the financial meltdown is actually 'unemployment', then perhaps it can start to wake up. At the moment, economists are slipping in oil, increasing your national deficit to numbers it will not recover from. I'm addressing my note that may seem a bit of a 'rant' to many , in the hope that someone there is actually 'awake' unlike your govt depts. I find it pretty amusing that theres so much talk about ''people being asleep at the switch..''..it becomes apparent to me that the entire govt is asleep...and just like people that wake suddenly, are now fully disoriented. Its also so that you know, that global problems do have 'fixes' , its just that govts dont have ears.

I am proposing a massive energy flush by way of NEW energy, so that GM etc can become competitive, and to lower the cost of every product,and the cost of productivity. Do you agree that energy costs affect the cost of EVERY commodity known to you?

Why would your govt invest heavily in wind/solar if there's a way to provide more clean energy, more affordably, and create jobs for millions?

Sec Gen Ban Ki Moon goes on about Climate Change a lot, and talks about 'political will'- but unfortunately, that does nothing.
Numerous notes to various places like World Bank, UN, some governments etc get zero response.

When someone is actually SERIOUS about climate change, and addressing it with a clean energy solution that yields more energy than wind/solar/biofuels COMBINED, to actually cut greenhouse gases by 40%+ , then perhaps someone will respond. If the food crisis is important, or addressing the global financial meltdown means anything, then please assist me in approaching someone that can actually ACT.

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I tried contacting your Fed for months and months now regarding the future on GM/Ford/Chrysler/all financial institutions and the decline in the US economy that actually spreads across the globe. Seeing that everyone there seems to have 'autoresponders' , but never reply , maybe you can assist me. If you see your economy hit the ground, its not because solutions dont exist..its because people in government do not 'listen'. Do you believe wind power is 'friendly' or 'cost effective' ?? Its not. Do you believe solar is 'the answer' ? Its not.

Energy , underpins the economies across the globe. Every single commodity price, depends on it. When it dawns on congress that no degree of bailouts or liquidity injection can fix your economy, then perhaps create a space for me to table a new direction for US, to restructure your economy from the ground up. You can get with PE Obama if he's really interested in 'change' - If you really want to create all those millions of jobs , then let me know.

If you decide to ignore me, you risk full economic failure, then perhaps you can refer to my note. As with other instances, govt is warned, and contacted, but nobody responds..too many 'experts' give off lots of hot air. More of the environment gets damaged with each passing day. When all your best economic teams have FAILED, because no liquidity injection of taxpayers $$ will fix this crisis, then perhaps the US Federal Government will listen.

I can redefine the clean energy system of US, in a way that will give you high levels of power, that will offset your oil dependance. Every single aspect of your economy, is guided by energy affordability,and availability..and right now, US does not have that. It bugs me to see millions losing their jobs..because its avoidable, but each day that goes by makes starting a fix harder. Help me, and you can look back knowing that you did something to help your nation...and the globe..Help me reach where I cant at the moment..To put my stuff on the table, I need to scale the red tape and bureaucracy that is going to kill your nation. Help me, and I can come through on all this note says..whether its health care, education, or any other social need, nothing can happen if the tax base shrinks. Tax cuts mean nothing to people that have no job, or salary. Your administration can provide NOTHING, if people there do not start working again, in a big way..Im saying..Can do. If you want to see US off foreign oil dependance in 10 years..Im saying - It can be done. But current known alternate methods will NEVER do that, neither will the taxpayers survive under the cost. Your utility bill surely tells you the tale. Just look at the thousands losing their jobs daily..It is so so sad to watch..I see my own clients across US going into paralysis slowly but surely..

I am saying Bio-Fuels will become a non-entity , just because that eats up food, and drives up costs..If it were viable, I'd say thats ok. In effect, I'm saying that because its possible to produce more electricity under one single concept, there is no need to actually inject trillions into lesser, more expensive methods of power generation. I can put US on a world first footing, but I need to do a deal direct with the Fed. There is also a reason I refer to intergovernmental - agreement, as opposed to patent/copyright etc..All that will become clear if I get the intended agreement, and when I present the concept.


To produce more than 1000x the power of all known alternate energy sources may seem impossible sounding..but it IS possible...and to do it at a fraction of your current costs, might seem even more unbelievable..but its possible.
Stock markets only revive on solidity,and unwavering confidence. I can provide a catalyst for US to start manufacturing, from the ground up again, with the offshoot spinoffs being millions of jobs, throughout every sector of your society.

T Boone Pickens - is on a mission that will fail..I tried writing him..perhaps he thinks he's too witty, or perhaps his people in charge of comms don't READ. Warren Buffett, is just another billionaire, but he can lose his fortune too, if the status quo of this economic situation does not change.

If you have a contact in the US senate..help me get there..I tried most of your state depts...all you have are autoresponders.
I tried the EU President etc..do you know what I got ? Autoresponder: 'Good luck with your idea, Thanks for your interest in EU issues' Thats what happens when the communications levels for important stuff, becomes a comedy.
My question would be: I contacted them all, with a runstart FIX to the world economies : Why did no world leader reply?
I can wait until all their bailouts, and acts of lunacy all fail...but that would mean trying to repair totally devastated markets. Who would have thought information of such dire consequence can go unheeded..perhaps thats the state of world communications now. Your best teams of economists will all fail dismally, because this is not a problem of liquidity, its a problems of mass and rising unemployment, across the globe, throughout every sector. Every day, you can continue to ask economic questions, but the answers from the market will get scarier. Ok, so now I'm beginning to get a bit angry..because the suffering of millions does not make me feel comfy..so forgive me if I rant, and have the urge to stuff a boot up the behind of every world leader...you'll understand why I find politicians disgusting..they talk a thousand words a minute, but say SQUAT!

Perhaps its necessary to challenge the entire intellectual community, every scientist , engineer and professor on the globe. I do. Perhaps to be bold, I need to say 'I CAN FIX THE GLOBAL ECONOMIES'.

All they have is hoo haa comments, predictions and their version about where the 'bottom' is. The simple answer is 'rock!'...and it will be very crushing, and painful..for many. Anyone can analyse the meltdown all you want - no economist will be able to do a thing. You cannot keep people in their homes, if they have no jobs. You cannot tailor mortgage repayments, if people have no money. For every $ the Fed puts in, it will now lose $5, and they will LOSE taxpayers money. The retail sector is already showing the beginnings of problems, and I don't need to spell out what comes when the retail sector falls.

I can start a FIX to the global financial crisis, as soon as someone begins to listen. Of course, as each day passes, the pieces become more difficult to fix..some co's will be nonexistent soon. NO world leader, or economist can do a thing to kickstart the economy. When your astute panel of 'experts' comes out of denial, to realise that massive UNEMPLOYMENT thats rising at an hourly rate is the ROOT CAUSE of problems, then they will understand that an entire world is becoming unemployed at the same time - A 'FIX' means that people have to start WORKING.

I can follow all the lines of red tape, and bureaucracy, but the financial systems of the globe will be fully paralysed soon. The retail sector will be next, so lets see what all the experts say then..What happens when the US treasury becomes paralysed?? Its really looking bright..Lending billions that the fed doesnt actually have ( Lending borrowed money??..to companies that are showing NO active sales)..Its an act of lunacy...you dont even have to be in economics to know that you cannot lend, what you do not have...and if for some freak reason you can..you cannot get that money back, from someone that is not working, or producing nothing of value. Step away from the extreme bs of this entire situation..step away from the lies, and deception of whats going on..and take a clear look. You just saw Amex 'become' a bank..whos next? Mastercard? Visa?



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Hello:)

I tried contacting some economists, the UN, some US State Dept, congress people etc..since Mar 2008 .Everyone has pretty good autoresponders. Red tape, and bureaucracy will make sure that major companies suffer collapse.When you see the world markets collapse fully, in a few months because all you are seeing now is all the liquidity being sucked in, then understand that its not because solutions dont exist..Its because there are too many self proclaimed 'experts'. Neither Obama, or any new team of economists can fix whats in process at the moment. I offered US a NEW system of national power generation. As you guys are in economics, when you do see the financial system collapse, it might interest you to know why...Like many other catastrophes, a full disaster is avoidable except nobody LISTENS.

I offered a SOLUTION, to ensure that co's like GM/Chrysler/Ford etc dont close down. Response- zero. I can start a full on FIX to your economic meltdown, of which you are now only seeing the tip. I offered the recreation of the JOB market , that is in turn responsible for the economic wheels turning.The entire US financial deficit, is based on rapidly rising unemployment that causes the lack of ability to repay loans, access credit or afford anything else.

Hindsight is always a pretty cutting teacher. When you see US fully crippled soon as the retail sector becomes paralyzed,and the rest of the world markets follow then you might refer to my note. Before 9/11 US was warned, and nobody acted. Again now, a runstart FIX to the global financial crisis is possible..to repair the damage under 7 years - a message is communicated, but again..US does not act...So, in a while, when you see the meaning of 'full financial system collapse' materialize, then you may have a pretty good idea of how that happened. People's hearing does seem to improve when a full scale disaster occurs...thats usually the time when no 'experts' can be found to comment.
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Sir/Madam

Please read my note carefully re:

Energy Solution to FIX the financial crisis. The global economy rests on its ability to produce energy - every other sector of industry and retail, follows that. I can provide a NEW direction in energy, that is more affordable than wind,solar or biofuels , and will exceed the output of all known alternate power by more than 1000x. Impossible you may say? Its possible. No economists can fix this situation, and neither can any degree of liquidity, or stimulus packages.

In its simplest form, people have to work, to earn a living. If people are unemployed - nobody can access credit,and neither can anyone repay a loan. While economists mickeymouse around on 'root causes' being credit crunch,housing correction, subprime mortgage crisis, troubled assets etc..the true root cause is simply rising unemployment. People look at probs as arising from the GB era. It started the day US opened its doors to UNREGULATED trade. The prosperous years people look at, was actually US drinking the wine of its own destruction..the crisis you see today, started with President Clinton - perhaps not what people like to hear, or understand, but nevertheless a fact. America can only recover, if it starts manufacturing again, and when people start working again. I can provide the catalyst, creating jobs for millions in all streams of the US economy, and also across the globe.

Regarding OIL - US cannot really drill much, and neither can it suck out all its natural gas. Oil ,and gas are part of the earth's natural buffers of the continental plates. Desperation, makes people delusional..so 'drill baby drill' sounds pretty good..and so does other ludicrous talk about natural gas..Reality is harsh - that gives you earthquakes. Truth, is easily covered up, when mankind wants to do something, at the expense of life. World reserves, are depleted..and the oil barons live on borrowed time..Those in the Middle East know it too..its why you dont see them burning their own oil to electrify their nations..they'd rather people lived in the rocks, and have a few oil sheiks..and portray wealth..but the real truth is, most see no benefit from the oil $$.

US made the fatal error of starting 'bailouts'and the rest of the world just followed suit. No degree of 'liquidity' staves off rising unemployment across the US, or across the globe. A Global crash, is now imminent. No treasury is infinite. I will just take the simple example of GM:
They want taxpayers money, but are not making sales, neither can they compete globally. Closure is inevitable, and the loss of taxpayers $$ is guaranteed, because all that 'bailout' money, will get eaten up in corporate expense, and wage bills with no growth to show. They cannot suddenly 'become competitive'..What I present, allows a future in electric fuel cells, and also affordable energy, lowering overall costs of everything. You and I know, that 'ego' alone, is no reason for GM to stay open. Its a big American brand..but it cant afford its keep at present. The situation, is avoidable though.

This is not just some economic speedbump you are seeing, its the collapse of a world system. Between you and I, no treasury can sustain this action, globally or on your doorstep. All you will see, is governments bankrupt themselves,as all internal industries grind to a halt. It is slow, systematic, but inevitable.

I refute the EU commissioner's statement, that the age of affordable energy is over. He speaks only from the level of finite thinking, but considering what is currently known, his despair, is understandable.

That said: I am saying that the global financial crisis can be FIXED.


I would like to present my concept to the USA Federal government , under a pre-agreement NDA regarding my terms/ payment etc. I approach US first, because they have the capacity, and the world still takes a cue from US. Below is basically, what I am offering the US in the way of 2 stages of developments, that will be world first.
An entire new energy system IS possible, and I offer the building blocks of something entirely new.

Can you assist me, in approaching the senate? World leaders can meet indefinitely, but solve nothing. I don't really like politicians, but I do care for people across the globe.

In the light of global warming, carbon emissions, and high oil dependance being a global problem, I am suggesting US host an international energy summit to launch the concept globally.

1- I will need a pre- agreement with the US Federal Govt signed by the President, regarding the cost, payment, and adherence to my terms/conditions.
2- On signed agreement, I will tender the details of the concept. US engineers, electrical engineers, structural engineers will then verify its workability,and report on the validity under top level clearance. This will be done at top level - secret. ( Necessary if US hosts the summit as details need to be secret)
3- On the decision to use the concept - payment will be transferred as pre-agreed. Following my suggestions, US can then launch the concept globally, and earn by intergovernmental agreements. Each country can then run ahead with its own developments, or rely on the more developed countries to provide technology..All those aspects can be worked out as governments do.


I am offering US this: America and other countries can be repowered by clean energy, in a NEW, cost effective way that produces more energy than the combined output of wind/solar/biofuels. I am offering USA the building blocks to an UNKNOWN energy system. The engineers of USA will fully develop the concept, and work out the various dynamics that will draw from numerous technological departments, even creating absolutely new ones, creating jobs for MILLIONS of people, guaranteed. The 'installations' will require unique developments every single time, so there will be no static and stagnant single boring one track developments. The conditions attached to the concept use, are to ensure that a minimum of 80% of the work takes place IN the US. I am guaranteeing that US steel plants, and engineering firms nationwide, will work again. I am saying that the entire manufacturing, and productivity capability of US will improve nationally, throughout every sector of society.
I am saying that dependance on foreign oil, will decrease. I am saying the financial crisis, will have a new solution, and that the stock markets will stabilise. I am saying that investments and stocks will re-ignite in a new stream of developments. All these, are just a few aspects that new energy takes care of. The fullness of things, requires thousands of pages, if I have to go off on every aspect of society that is affected by energy.
High investments in Solar,and Wind power - Its a waste of taxpayers $$, because the cost of energy will never be affordable, neither can those forms of alternate energy provide much actual energy.

At present, I shall say the stock markets may suffer a full collapse within 4-8 months. Rise in shares is all based on FALSE balance sheets, with declining growth, and unemployment is rising fast globally. No liquidity injection, will fix this .

NEW Concept- World FIRST: The generation of unlimited ,daily, clean electricity into the national power grid, in volumes that, with implementation, will outstrip the combined power output of wind and solar energy - Concept currently UNKNOWN as alternate energy provider.


Here are a few aspects :

Type: Clean,non nuclear solution with guaranteed power outputs, and minimal loss due to intermittent supply.
Method: Currently UNKNOWN among the known methods of alternate electricity generation.
What I am saying : The entire energy generation methodology of the globe will change.
Oil Dependance : Guaranteed to drop systematically
Emissions : Guaranteed to drop systematically as less use of petroleum, automatically reduces carbons.
Cost Effective: In comparison to what is now being spent on wind, solar, biofuels - implementation costs are MUCH less. Models can be flexible for developed/developing countries.
Development: Because of the flexibility, it gives developers entire new direction , unlimited to a single standard.
Environment: Minimal impact. Carbon emissions will be reduced on a large scale.
Economic impact: Basically, the economies of the globe will be able to regenerate within 7-10 years. Low cost electricity, available daily and abundantly allows all sectors of societies to progress.

Drawbacks:
One aspect is not possible to implement in wartorn areas with damaged or no basic infrastructures.This drawback does not apply in developed countries like US , UK or EU.
Richer countries will need to assist poorer countries with some developments.
Monopolistic govts, who are always quick to see 'profits' will have the ability to still charge high prices, so it will need possible international regulation .
Developers, who are also quick to hike prices for installation of even affordable stuff, will want to be quick to exploit the concept for financial gains, rather than implement with a reasonable margin, for the actual purpose of unlimited electrical generation to be realised..and their reasoning will be because of what it provides, in terms of generation capability,and profits .
Because of the sudden demand, even the producers of affordable components and materials will try to exploit the concept.
Pre- legislative work is required in congress to ensure that 80% of the work happens within US, or greed will ensure that unlegislated, US citizens will be marginalised in the face of greed, searching for cheap components.

Positives:
The energy output is guaranteed,daily.
Energy is possible from what I shall term a partial 'cyclic', and full cyclic.
Surplus can be channelled into storage too as the capability to store powergrows, especialy in remote areas.
Only govts have the capacity to really roll out the concept,and how it should happen countrywide..so it is possible for them to regulate all departments/private sector/industries aligned etc beforehand.
Only govts can allow the basis of implementations.
Only govts can oversee maintenance/upgrades/technology advancements because power generation is a matter of national security.
US will meet its emissions targets.
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The above are just basics..I can list it all in much greater detail .

1- Launching the concept requires a global energy summit. Only UN or a specific govt has the power to command that.
2- The concept payment is to be made by strict pre-agreement with the US Federal Government.
3- All developed countries can utilise it, and even developing countries ..but it is not possible in wartorn regions like Darfur etc, unless they stabilise . Its possible if the installations are secure.
4- The scale of the concept, has a global application, and can allow meeting the unrealistic targets now set, in 7-10 years. At current, you know wind,solar,hydro and biofuels combined cannot reduce oil dependance.
5- Concept implementation, is guaranteeing daily renewal of electricity into national grids, with minor fluctuations of maybe 3-10% ,with the capability to expand implementations with minimal environmental impact, and flexible modelling.
6- I am saying: If eg.1GW is the rated output from one installation, then that 1 GW is guaranteed with only a small fluctuation , daily. This is the secondary output capability. In the main installation capability, power is produced on a continuous ,uninterrupted basis .
7- In 7-10 years, it will allow approx 60% of petrol powered vehicles vehicles to be totally removed. Electrical fuel cell will be a simple reality, because the electricity is fully available, by clean power.
8- Oil will still be necessary , but not as it is now, in such high global volumes.
9- There are different stages of developments- The main installations will deliver totally uninterrupted high energy , and the second stage developments offer determined periods of guaranteed output. The environmental, architectural, structural , technical and related capabilities of the concept implementation ensure many different co-operative developments.


Help me to help your nation,and people across the globe. I expect skepticism, because no engineer, scientist, or expert on the globe, can offer a solution, but every one may be fast to laugh at the content of my note, declaring that 'impossible'.
It'll take engineers a few minutes to verify what I present though :)..So, there is a no risk agreement, with everything to gain,and nothing to lose. Take me up..and you may find I can show you something major, about high power electrical generation,clean and abundant, that is unknown to anyone on this planet. Skeptics always fall flat in the face of unrefutable proof.

I hope to get a response from you...and hopefully, you can direct my note to someone in govt...preferably someone that has a mind, and ears. Remember what Kennedy said about being mistaken about trusting the 'experts'? Help me reach the President or someone in the senate that can assist me.

Nevi
www.efectpro.com
efect@mweb.co.za