Handbook of Business Strategy

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to help companies successfully align their strategies with their people, processes and technologies to achieve effective integration and deliver desired results for the organization.

Design/methodology/approach – The first half of the article focuses on addressing the need for a strong foundation – the right plan, culture and performance metrics – before beginning the process of integrating a new strategy. Readers learn how to assess their organization’s current situation and address any weaknesses or potential problem areas. The second half delves into the strategic integration phase and discusses the importance of integrating strategy into the infrastructure, specially with employees, processes and technologies. Throughout the article, readers receive series of questions and step-by-step instructions designed to help them think about their unique business situation and tailor solutions to best fit their organizational needs.

Findings – Because few companies take the time to do the upfront work outlined in this article, many organizations suffer from inconsistent or unsatisfying results. While companies commonly invest time and effort developing great strategies, they rarely give the same attention to the implementation stage.

Originality/value – The value of this article is its focus on a vital and often overlooked stage of strategic development. Readers that take the actions recommended in this article will give their organizations a significant competitive advantage by creating a streamlined, productive and profitable organization.