Strategic Assessment
The implementation phase of strategic management is often referred to as the “action stage”. “Strategy implementation includes developing a strategy-supportive culture, creating an effective organizational structure, redirecting marketing efforts, preparing budgets, developing and utilizing information systems, and linking employee compensation to organization performance”. (David, 2011), (p. 6). Implementation is a very important part of strategic management because it is the most difficult stage and it requires sacrifice, personal discipline and commitment to be successful. Strategic management implementation also requires the establishment of an organization’s annual objectives. An example of the need to establish an organizational annual objective, when in the implementation phase of strategic management, is so that if there are any projects listed in the formulation phase of strategic management which require funds, the availability of those funds would be easily identified. In order for the strategic implementation phase to be successful, interpersonal skills are most critical. As stated before, the implementation phase is the “action stage”. This requires action by the management staff and their ability to transfer the desired actions to the employees. Without effective interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate on many different levels, implementation is almost impossible. “The challenge of implementation is to stimulate managers and employees throughout an organization to work with pride and enthusiasm toward achieving stated objectives”. (David, 2011), (p.7). In conclusion: the implementation phase of strategic management is very important because it is considered as the “action stage”. This phase requires sacrifice, personal discipline and commitment, to be successful. Another requirement of a successful implementation phase is that the management team have adequate interpersonal skills so that the