This week’s focus: Many business leaders I work with want to know how they can deliver their strategy at greater pace. There is no secret to making this happen – it relies on these three simple factors: (1) Prioritising initiatives and resources effectively; (2) Clarifying and embedding accountability for delivery; and (3) Performance management discipline.

I’m sure that none of those three factors surprise you, but it seems that the fact that they may be simple and obvious does not necessarily mean that they’re easy or common. Many executives, for example, find it difficult to say “No” to potential initiatives and actions for fear of missing out on the possible benefits, are unwilling to match their priorities with the resources they need to succeed, are unable to fully hold their colleagues and reporting managers to account, and/or do not have the patience or will power to robustly follow up on implementation performance on a sustained basis.

How well do you prioritise and resource your key initiatives, establish and embed accountabilities and systematically follow-up on the delivery of your strategy?

Off The Record: Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush

And if I only could I’d make a deal with God

And I’d get him to swap our places

Be running up that road, running up that hill

With no problems

© Stuart Cross 2013. All rights reserved.