Article

Five Cs for Successful Strategy Execution

Author

Andrew MacLennan
Strategy Execution Ltd MD

Publisher

Cambridge Marketing Review

Date

Winter 2015

Dr Andrew MacLennan outlines five key principles that are essential for successful strategy execution, and illustrates these with examples including Ford’s new generation of its best-selling F-150 truck and the extraordinarily profitable low-cost airline Ryanair. The article includes a case study on the ‘Rolls Royce’ of Scotch whisky: The Macallan single malt.

(If you would prefer a version of the article without the whisky case study, please follow this link.)

How do you measure up?

Author

Andrew MacLennan
Strategy Execution Ltd MD

Publisher

HR Network (Scotland)

Date

Winter 2015

This article explores the complexity of measurement in organisations, focusing on the dilemmas that leaders must confront in choosing what to measure, how to measure it and how to react to the metrics produced. Particular challenges relating to people management are highlighted.
How do you measure up? article

Diagnosing Business Problems

Author

Andrew MacLennan
Strategy Execution Ltd MD

Publisher

HR Network (Scotland)

Date

September 2009

This article explores the difficult challenge of accurately diagnosing business problems. Frequently, organisations invest heavily in the wrong solutions because the challenges they face have been poorly defined and understood. A systematic process for diagnosing business problems is introduced.

Translating Strategy into Action

Author

Andrew MacLennan
Strategy Execution Ltd MD

Publisher

HR Network (Scotland)

Date

July 2009

Andrew MacLennan is interviewed by Hr Network (Scotland), exploring some of the key findings from his recently completed research. The study, conducted over 10 years, is the largest ever undertaken in the strategy implementation field.

Dangerous Adventures for HR: Managing Strategic Risk

Author

Andrew MacLennan
Strategy Execution Ltd MD

Publisher

HR Network (Scotland)

Date

January 2009

This article explores the elusive concept of strategic risk – taking an enterprise-wide perspective on uncertainty and the threats and opportunities it presents in organisations. The role of HR professionals is explored, highlighting the particular challenges people-related risks can create.

Forced Ranking: Time to dismiss this underperformer?

Author

Andrew MacLennan
Strategy Execution Ltd MD

Publisher

HR Network (Scotland)

Date

September 2007

The used of forced ranking of employees for performance assessment and reward is becoming more popular in many countries – but does it actually work?

In this article, Andrew MacLennan explores the science behind ‘rank and yank’ and highlights how flimsy the evidence base for it remains. Numerous risks associated with forced ranking are identified.

Fashion Gurus & Fashion Victims

Author

Andrew MacLennan
Strategy Execution Ltd MD

Publisher

HR Network (Scotland)

Date

May 2007

Most organisations use management tools of one sort or another in pursuit of these goals. These tools have an alluring quality – often promising quick and almost certain results. However, not all management tools live up to these promises.

In this article, Andrew MacLennan explores how to approach the use of management tools and techniques to ensure they are selected and applied effectively.

Why Performance-related Pay…Isn’t

Author

Andrew MacLennan
Strategy Execution Ltd MD

Publisher

HR Network (Scotland)

Date

May 2007

Performance-related pay is widely assumed to be an essential mechanism for ensuring that good performance is rewarded and poor performance is not. In many sectors, it has become normal to seek to motivate employees through offering variable remuneration, tied to performance assessments.

Andrew MacLennan looks at the hard evidence – and in some cases lack of it – behind this management tool. He highlights the risks poorly constructed PRP systems can cause effective strategy execution.

Challenging Customers: 10 tactics every HR Business Partner should know

Authors

Andrew MacLennan & Graham Lee

Publisher

HR Network (Scotland)

Date

May 2007

HR functions can add enormous value, if they ensure they are ‘doing the right things’, as well as ‘doing thing right’. Most HR professionals recognise there is danger in simply implementing whatever requests they receive from line managers. However, the hard and soft skills required to respond to internal customers’ demands are subtle and tricky to master.

In this article, Andrew MacLennan and Graham Lee outline 10 key tactics all HR professionals – and especially those working closely with business line colleagues – should know.

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