Simple Messages Drive Great Strategy Execution

No Uppercut, No Hook.

A simple message, communicated across the ranks; from the streets of Bhiwani, to the boxing rings of Mumbai. This simple message is the single most important reason for Indian boxers coming to fore in the Beijing Olympics.

The shortest distance to land a punch is to go straight. It is also the easiest way to score a clear punch & register a point. When the Indian Boxing Federation realized that, they executed this strategy ruthlessly by banning uppercuts & hooks. A penalty was imposed on any boxer who tried an uppercut or a hook.

This is a simple but a potent way to execute strategy. It is trying to encapsulate the message in a few simple sentences; simple messages that the person at the bottom of the pyramid understands clearly. It is like telling a truck driver that he has to conserve two litres of diesel on every trip for executing a supply chain strategy or telling a reservation executive that she has to up sell an airport transfer with every hotel booking.

It is ultimately at the bottom of the pyramid that a significant value is being created, where shop floor workers can add to the bottom line by focusing on one activity that will reduce waste, or call centre executives can waive off some insignificant amount to retain a credit card holder.

The test for any strategy execution is how simply it is being understood & implemented at the bottom of the pyramid. As Vijender Kumar, assured of a bronze, entered the ring for the semi final encounter with the Emilio Correa Bayeaux, the Indian Boxing Federation was quietly celebrating a strategy well executed.

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by sarvajeet