The Execution Premium: Linking Strategy to Operations for Competitive Advantage

In a world of stiffening competition, business strategy is more crucial than ever. Yet most organizations struggle in this area--not with formulating strategy but with executing it, or putting their strategy into action. Owing to execution failures, companies realize just a fraction of the financial performance promised in their strategic plans. It doesn't have to be that way, maintain Robert Kaplan and David Norton in The Execution Premium . Building on their breakthrough works on strategy-focused organizations, the authors describe a multistage system that enables you to gain measurable benefits from your carefully formulated business strategy. This book shows you how to: Develop an effective strategy --with tools such as SWOT analysis, vision formulation, and strategic change agendas Plan execution of the strategy --through portfolios of strategic initiatives linked to strategy maps and Balanced Scorecards Put your strategy into action --by integrating operational tools such as process dashboards, rolling forecasts, and activity-based costing Test and update your strategy --using carefully designed management meetings to review operational and strategic data Drawing on extensive research and detailed case studies from a broad array of industries, The Execution Premium presents a systematic and proven framework for achieving the financial results promised by your strategy.