week 5 Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the main steps in the strategic management process?
- Mission and objectives
2. Internal assessment 3. External assessment 4. Strategy formulation 5. Action programmes and resource allocation 6. Strategy implementation 7. Monitoring and control
Why is strategy implementation critical?
Without effective implementation, strategic planning is wasted effort. Implementation ensures that the strategy delivers real outcomes through motivated managers and proper resource use.
What went wrong with Tesco’s Chokablok ice cream strategy?
- Lacked sustained marketing and clear differentiation
* Resulted in low customer awareness * Discontinued after 3 years due to poor implementation
What are common problems in strategy implementation?
- Mismatch between strategy and structure
* Inadequate communication * Forecasting errors * Overcommitment * Poor timing or leadership style * Weak management systems
What are key solutions for successful implementation?
- Assign clear responsibility
* Limit strategic complexity * Use planned actions and milestones * Measure performance * Consider culture and timing
How did Nokia and Microsoft differ in implementation?
- Nokia: Slow structure, couldn’t adapt to smartphone changes → lost market share
* Microsoft: “One Microsoft” strategy under Satya Nadella → aligned structure to strategy and removed silos
Why are middle managers important in strategy?
They connect top-level planning to frontline action. They can enable or block implementation based on their engagement and understanding.
What are Huy’s (2001) four middle manager roles?
- Entrepreneur – Drives innovation
2. Communicator – Translates strategy 3. Therapist – Supports emotional adaptation 4. Tightrope Artist – Balances between senior and junior staff
What benefits come from involving middle managers?
(Wooldridge & Floyd, 1990):
* Better organisational performance * More strategic consensus * Improved implementation * Superior strategies * Enhanced decision-making
What is Carnall’s (2007) five-stage reaction to change?
- Denial
2. Defence 3. Discarding 4. Adaptation 5. Internalisation
What are the steps in planning marketing control?
- Set standards
2. Measure progress 3. Compare with targets 4. Take corrective action
What are the four types of marketing control?
- Strategic control
2. Annual plan control 3. Profitability control 4. Efficiency control
What is the Balanced Scorecard (Kaplan & Norton)?
A performance tool that balances:
* Financial performance * Customer metrics * Internal processes * Learning and growth
What was the Robert Dyas case about?
Used digital tools to reduce campaign planning time by 80%, allowing better creativity and strategy — a strong example of marketing control in action.
