7S framework of effective Strategy Implementation (Retail Strategy 15.06.2021)

7S framework of effective Strategy Implementation

The 7 factors are divided into two groups:

The Hard S (strategy, structure and systems) and

The Soft S (style, shared values, staff and skills)

1. Strategy

The strategy – or the plan of the business to achieve competitive advantage and sustainable growth – must be long-term and clearly defined. It must indicate a direction that leads to the attainment of objectives. When you take the organization’s mission and core values, the strategy should also be in line with them.

2. Structure

The organizational structure must be visible to everyone, and clearly identify how the departments, divisions, units and sections are organized, with the lines of authority and accountability clearly established.

 

3. Systems

There should be a clear indication and guide on how the main activities or operations of the business are carried out. The processes, procedures, tasks, and flow of work make up the systems of the organization.

4. Style

This addresses the management or leadership style in force within the organization, from top management to the team leaders and managers in the smaller units. Strategy implementation advocates participative leadership styles, and so this is really more about defining and describing the interactions among the leaders in the organization and, to some extent, how they are perceived by those that they lead or manage.

 

5. Staff

Organizations will always have to deal with matters regarding staffing. Human resources, after all, is one of the most important assets or resources of an organization. Thus, much attention is given to human resource processes, specifically hiring, recruitment, selection and training.

 

6. Skills

Employees without skills are worthless resources to the organization. In order to aid the organization on the road towards its goals, the employees must have the skills, competencies and capabilities required in the implementation of strategies.

 

7. Shared Values

This refers to the standards, norms and generally accepted attitudes that ultimately spur members of the organization to act or react in a certain manner. Employee behaviour will be influenced by these standards and norms, and their shared values will become one of the driving forces of the organization as it moves forward.

 

Usually, organizations may take a look at each of these key success factors for individual analysis. All seven prerequisites are interconnected, which means all seven must be present, and they must be effectively aligned with each other, in order to ensure effective strategy implementation, and overall organizational effectiveness.