The Execution Premium

In this summary you will learn

• Why your firm must link strategy with operations
• How to accomplish that goal in six stages
• Why you need a central oversight unit
• Where quality programs like Six Sigma fit in
• Why executive support is vital in aligning operations and strategy

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Why you should read The Execution Premium

Senior executives love to plan strategies. They believe this puts them in the exalted company of Napoleon, Sun-Tzu and Clausewitz. Indeed, for CEOs and their corporate colleagues, developing strategy is the heart of executive leadership. Unfortunately, most companies end up with strategies that are not linked to their actual operations. The result? Strategy that is not strategic, since companies are unable to implement it. Strategy experts Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton created the Balanced Scorecard and Strategy Maps and have now developed a versatile, six-stage program your corporation can use to mesh its strategy with its operations. Their approach already works for numerous top-flight organizations. getAbstract applauds this outstanding book. It is an exceptionally worthwhile read, especially given its valuable case studies. One caveat: Readers who are not grounded in sophisticated, strategic systems, such as Six Sigma and Balanced Scorecard, will be in over their heads starting on page one.

About the Authors

Robert S. Kaplan, a professor at the Harvard Business School, is the author of numerous books, articles and papers. David P. Norton is the co-founder of a respected business-consulting firm.