Planning is Easy, Implementation is Hard

Source: CPA Practice Management Forum

Lack of implementation is the most common reason firms' strategic plans fail. The main culprits behind this phenomenon are lack of follow-through and lack of responsibility or accountability. In this article, author Joseph A. Tarasco offers suggestions, including the following, for overcoming the obstacles:

• Assign specific action items to partners and hold them accountable using appropriate rewards and penalties.
• Have the managing partner conduct monthly reviews and assessments of both short- and long-term action items.
• Drive implementation with hands-on leadership. Leaders should be available as resources, role models, and mentors.
• Establish an “implementation culture” in the firm.
• Be prepared to deal with partners who resist change.
• Learn how to delegate effectively.

For the complete article, read “Lack of Implementation – The No. 1 Obstacle to Success.”

From CPA Practice Management Forum, CCH Incorporated, 800-449-8114, Vol. 8, No. 4, May 2012, p. 5.