Basics of Successful Strategy Implementation: 3 Key Steps

How to Get The Basics of Successful Strategy Implementation Right
Getting corporate strategy to work in practice isn’t about having a brilliant plan on paper or an exciting strategy retreat — it’s about getting the basics of implementation right. Start with what we call the leadership ABC’s of strategy execution.

The Problem with Corporate Strategies
Project postmortem results tell us that too often, corporate strategies are conceived in the boardroom and then… quietly die there. Executives may know what needs to be done for the organization to succeed, but the strategy often fails because it is:

• Not translated into language employees understand or can connect with
• Not communicated in a way that conveys urgency or importance
• Not clear about the “how” or “why,” focusing only on the “what”

Without addressing these strategy implementation gaps, even the most sophisticated strategy cannot be effectively implemented.

How to Get The Basics of Successful Strategy Implementation Right
To do it right, follow the research-backed strategy implementation ABC’s:

1. Articulate Your Strategy Clearly and Often
   A corporate strategy must be concise, compelling, and crystal clear. Our organizational alignment research consistently show that employees perceive strategy as 50% less clear than leaders assume. How can they act on a plan they don’t fully understand?

   Involve the people doing the work — mid-level and front-line employees — not just the executives. Make the strategy specific and straightforward. Explain what the organization is trying to achieve and why, so every decision and action can be aligned with strategic intent.

   You’ll know you’re on the right path when employees view the strategy as understandable, believable, and implementable.

2. Broadcast Your Strategy Using Multiple Mediums
   Communication cannot be a one-off event. Begin with a CEO address to signal importance, then reinforce the message across team meetings, newsletters, emails, internal blogs, and even brown bag sessions.

   Successful change management consulting research from Kotter, Beer & Eisenstat highlights that people internalize strategy only through repeated exposure, open discussion, and opportunities to ask questions and raise concerns.  Consistency and accessibility are key.

3. Cascade the Strategy Across the Organization
   A strategy only works when it reaches the day-to-day work of employees. Managers play a crucial role by connecting high-level strategy to functional areas and translating it into actionable steps for their teams.

   Cascading strategy is where the “what” becomes the “how.” Effective execution depends on step-by-step planning, coaching, and transparent accountability — giving employees the clarity and tools they need to make meaningful contributions.

The Bottom Line
Even the best strategy is meaningless without execution. High-performing organizations succeed because their strategies are clearly articulated, consistently communicated, and translated into actionable steps that employees understand and embrace. Getting these basics right transforms a corporate plan from a document into measurable, sustainable results.

To learn more than the basics of successful strategy implementation, download Research-Backed Steps to Take After Your Strategy Retreat