Strategy Implementation

In life , more so in business, we deploy chosen strategies to give the desired results...However, focus sing on corporate issues,instead of taking the Western approach towards strategy implementation which tends to address topics such as organizational behavior,management selection and development ,management information system and communication,the unorthodox approach shows implementation from the point of deception,secrecy,flexibility,speed and timing,and usage of direct and indirect methods.
Each of these areas is necessary if an organization were to realize the goals for which strategies are developed in the first place to enable it to cope in the increasingly competitive arena of the greater business.
Deception, which is commonly used to throw off the competitors reel and usually takes the form of the holding out of baits,such as when one lures the customer to where one wants him to spend the money.Businessmen,have through various sales gimmicks,organized things like clearance sales,free gifts,contests,loss leaders,waiving entrance fees,all in all, to divert business away from their competitors in this manner.Other methods of deception include fakery,ie when one is seen to be humble,weak,or even stupid,but in reality he is not,and the create of illusions ,in order to become unpredictable in the eyes of judging others,one must also watch out for deception by others since two can play the same game!
Secrecy in business is necessary to ensure that no one knows ones plan unless it suit ones purpose to let them know...One should however not become obsessed with secrecy to the extent of regarding even petty issues as secret and thus impairing one's delegation would entail divulging information to those who had been so delegated.As professionals, we must be able to judge what is confidential and to what degree so as to determine who could have access to the information.
Flexibility is needed to prevent the enemy from easily predicting ones move.Flexibility will also enable one to effectively apply the marketing concept which simply means finding out what the customer needs and then working on satisfying such needs a profit.While a strategy can be viewed as a coherent direction whereby to further the marketing function,it should still be subject to review and change if found to be unworkable.The ability to change is becoming more and more vital to success.
Speed and timing also necessary because common sense tells us a longer battle at market place carries no benefits!It is then important to provide for a quick kill and victory....The same goes for deciding on the strategy we have to adopt as well as its subsequent implementation.Delays or hesitancy will only allow our competitors to get wise to our strategy.Such knowledge will also enable them to make preparations to counter our proposed move...
Generals in battlefields have recognized both direct and indirect methods used in waging war!Though the interchangeable deployment of these methods one can always keep the enemy in doubt as to one;s real intention and at the same time enabling one to ensure victory...This is in line with the 'contingency' approach..and the earlier call for flexibility. In short, one must provide for situations where the enemy does not respond as anticipated.Hence either method must be capable of replacing the other at any time.In making formal approaches,businessmen often resort to indirect methods,such as making gestures,appropriate or in appropriate ones, for the purpose of obligating some third party in some way that he will be willing to exert his influence on my behalf.Inappropriate gestures include bribery,corruption,while more allowable ones take in the form of harnessing support from influential friends,doing favours for persons we are dealing with,doing something for his kids,helping him make his work easier,making him get all the deserving promotions,others as we can as we are in a better bargaining position.

As the application is endless,it is essential that one approaches the need to use both direct and indirect methods in their interchangeable forms of success.One must not be confined to only one particular course of action and instead should identify various options and use them according to the needs of the situation.Salam.

How Big Boys Think and Play:Excellence In Management!

Human Resource Management

1.What is the attitude of top management towards the human side of enterprise..has enough attention

been given to portray its fundamental role in the managerial philosophies of the organization..

2.Are the policies covering people associated with the organization clear and equitable..do they give

the organization the competitive edge over other employers in terms of wages,promotiom,training,

benefits ..etc..

3.What is the organizational climate like?..does it reflect harmony,openness and productivity or

conflict , apathy, and counter productivity?What is the over all relationship between individuals

and the organization?

4. Is there a morale problem at any level of the organization..does this lead to conflict,counter 

productivity such as absenteeism,accidents,industrial action or labour turnover..

5.Does the informal organization support or counter the efforts of the formal organization..is the management sensitive to the entire spectrum of human behaviour and has it shown wisdom in dealing with these aspects of life..

Operations and Production Management 

1. Is the Management in these areas in line with over all organizational objective and strategy..

2.How does operating and production costs given in the financial statements compare with sales.both as 

absolutes and percentages...What is the key  cost element,such as labour or materials..Has attention been

given to their control ..if rising ,is this due to cost increases or cost squeeze..has any cost control programmes providing up to date standards been used..

3.Are there any adequate quality control procedures..How is this reflected in the firms' reputation as regards the industry 's standards and environmental conditions..

4.What inventory levels such as wip and fg are you keeping..Is inventory rising beyond expectations and why..

5.How effective have the firms production control and scheduling as well as their communication lines been..

Do the production personnel get timely relevant accurate information which are vital to production from quality control,cost control,sales and other groups..

6.In the area of logistics,how are the purchasing and materials handling organized and run in terms of relationship and communication with production..what is the situation regarding cost and effectiveness in this area..

7.Are plant facilities and resources adequate and in good condition as compared with competition..is the equipment designed for single purpose or multi purpose and flexible wages..is the plant highly automated or labour intensive..what are the latest development in technology..how will this affect future plans...

Research and Development

1. Is RnD accorded a strategic role in the organization..If so has the organizations commitment to RnD been effective...Is RnD a major and essential spending in the industry..

2.Is the nature of product emphasizing on continual advancement in products as consumer advancement in products as consumer or competition demands..

3.Is the organization concentrating its RnD effort on selected products only,or is such effort enjoyed by all products ..to what extent can the organization afford to devote to the RnD effort..In case a breakthrough

is achieved,what would the playoff be like...How realistic would be the opportunity be in terms of risk and return...

4.Are resources set for the RnD effort adequate and effectively utilized...Has RnD communicated effectively with Marketing and Production...Does the Organization enjoy a stream of new products and improvements.. 

Marketing..

1.Does the marketing function reflect organizational objective and strategy..

2.What are the product market shares like and how would each of the products relate to the product cycle life stages..(matrix of cash cows,stars,question marks and dogs)

3.What are the organizations key elements of competitive strategy..low price,high quality,prompt delivery,service,long term warranty..

4.What are the organizations distribution channels and how do they operate....Are they effective or are there new developments in consumer demand or distribution to warrant consideration of whether to change or shift emphasis...

5.Has adequate studies been made of sales volume and price relationships..is the firm going on exclusive selling margin or mass marketing for large volume with low price margin...is the pricing policy intended to skim the cream or penetrate the market for more of the market share..

6.Is market research being utilized...If so,does it effect the determination of what products should be offered and to whom or whwt products to be dropped...

7.Is marketing policy in line with competition,consumer taste and need,technological change,other social and environmental issues..how does marketing communicate and relate such issues with production and RnD?

Accounting and Finance

1.Does the accounting and finance functions comply with the organizations financial plan..are the financial plans of sub units consistent with those of overall organization..

2.Going by appropriate ratios , percentage analysis,how does the organization stand in the analysis of its financial performance and status,,,are the results favourable compared to industry's ..if not what are corrective measures needed...

3.What types of reports are prepared and which managers have access..are these reports timely,relevant accurate...have they been well utilized by managers in controlling and planning their activities...

4.Are computers used to support the accounting and finance functions..if so,does it provide useful and timely information or does it produce tons pf paper print outs that are no value to management...

5.What priority has top management accord the planning and controlling of corporate exercises such as preparation of the annual budget,,,are the people in the organization contributing or are they just ignoring /procrastinating their efforts...Happy Working!...Salam...

The Organization

Having mustered knowledge of oneself,one must still know one's internal environment before one is ready to tackle one's competitors.The ability to achieve internal harmony,ie gaining absolute control over one's immediate operating environment where the people factor is most prominent is said to be a major contributing factor to Japan 's economic success.
This article  thus looks at the internal organization which is synonymous with internal environment by taking both the western and japans views of organizations.From these views,it is found that basically, organization is all about the people within it,ie..the employees and how they are organized via their creation of structures ,operating systems and procedures ,etc.The formal organization whose purpose and task are embodied in the organization structure clarifies the roles and relationship of each level of hierarchy.The informal organization,on the other hand,emerges from the shared activities,aspirations,and sentiments of other group members as they interact with one another in the social setting created by the forma; organization.Like the formal organization,the informal one also has its hierarchy,leaders,and objectives.It also exerts social control over its members and create its own communication channel called the grapevine which can result in negative consequences for the formal organization,thus warranting management effort to monitor the activities of the informal organization members.Managers tasks should therefore include identifying key informal leaders and cultivating them to further organizational objectives rather than being in opposition.

Coalitions which are alliances of persons within an organization ,thus representing a form of management which cut across formal organizational lines are shown to effect organizational activities  such as strategy determination in an organization whose CEO is weak.In the same way,coalition may be necessary of a strategy for the new incoming CEO who fills key incumbent positions with his followers to ensure access to information and support. In forming coalitions,it is important to thoroughly know the persons whom we are allying with. Salam.

Fact or Fiction..its a sharper read!..

Pada suatu hari, seorang gadis yang terpengaruh dengan cara hidup masyarakat Barat menaiki sebuah bas mini untuk menuju ke destinasi di wilayah Iskandariah. Malangnya walaupun tinggal di bumi yang terkenal dengan tradisi keislaman, pakaian gadis tersebut sangat menjolok mata.Bajunya agak nipis dan seksi hampir terlihat segala yang patut disembunyikan bagi seorang perempuan daripada pandangan lelaki ajnabi atau mahramnya.

Gadis itu dalam lingkungan 20 tahun. Di dalam bas itu, ada seorang tua yang dipenuhi uban menegurnya: “Wahai pemudi! Alangkah baiknya jika kamu berpakaian yang baik, yang sesuai dengan ketimuran dan adat serta agama Islam kamu, itu lebih baik daripada kamu berpakaian begini yang pastinya menjadi mangsa pandangan liar kaum lelaki…. ” nasihat orang tua itu.

Namun, nasihat yang sangat bertetapan dengan tuntutan agama itu dijawab oleh gadis itu dengan jawapan yang mengejek: “Siapalah kamu hai orang tua? Adakah kamu cuba nak ingatkan aku supaya menutup aurat sepenuhnya sedangkan bapa kandungku sendiri tidak pernah menasihatiku?Apakah kamu mahu aku berpakaian menutup aurat sedangkan aku masih mahu bebas menayangkan tubuh badan ku di khalayak ramai?Apakah di tangan kamu ada anak kunci syurga? Atau adakah kamu memiliki sejenis kuasa yang menentukan aku bakal berada di syurga atau neraka?”

Setelah menghamburkan kata-kata yang sangat menghiris perasaan orang tua itu, gadis itu tertawa mengejek panjang. Tidak cukup setakat itu, si gadis lantas cuba memberikan telefon bimbitnya kepada orang tua tadi sambil melafazkan kata-kata yang lebih dahsyat. ” Jika ISLAM itu BENAR, tempatkan bilikku di Neraka, Ambil handphone ku ini dan hubungilah Allah serta tolong tempahkan sebuah bilik di neraka jahanam untukku,” katanya lagi lantas ketawa berdekah-dekah tanpa mengetahui bahawa dia sedang mempertikaikan hukum Allah dengan begitu biadab.

Orang tua tersebut sangat terkejut mendengar jawapan daripada si gadis manis. Sayang sekali, wajahnya yang ayu tidak sama dengan perilakunya yang buruk. Penumpang-penumpang yang lain turut terdiam malah ada yang menggelengkan kepala kebingungan. Semua yang di dalam bas tidak menghiraukan gadis muda yang tidak menghormati hukum-hakam agama itu dan mereka tidak mahu menasihatinya kerana khuatir dia akan akan menghina agama dengan lebih teruk lagi.

Sepuluh minit kemudian bas pun tiba di perhentian. Gadis seksi bermulut celupar tersebut tertidur di muka pintu bas. Puas pemandu bas termasuk para penumpang yang lain mengejutkannya tapi gadis tersebut tidak sedarkan diri. Tiba tiba orang tua tadi memeriksa nadi si gadis. Sedetik kemudian dia menggeleng-gelengkan kepalanya. Gadis itu telah kembali menemui Tuhannya dalam keadaan yang tidak disangka. Para penumpang menjadi cemas dengan berita yang menggemparkan itu. Dalam suasana kelam kabut itu, tiba tiba tubuh gadis itu terjatuh ke pinggir jalan. Orang ramai segera berkejar untuk menyelamatkan jenazah tersebut. Tapi sekali lagi mereka terkejut. Sesuatu yang aneh menimpa jenazah yang terbujur kaku di jalan raya. Mayatnya menjadi hitam seolah-olah dibakar api. Dua tiga orang yang cuba mengangkat mayat tersebut juga kehairanan kerana tangan mereka terasa panas dan hampir melecur sebaik saja menyentuh tubuh si mayat. Akhirnya mereka memanggil pihak keselamatan menguruskan mayat itu.

Begitulah kisah ngeri lagi menyayat hati yang menimpa gadis malang tersebut. Apakah hasratnya menempah sebuah bilik di neraka dimakbulkan Allah? Na’uzubillah, sesungguhnya Allah itu Maha Berkuasa di atas segala sesuatu. Sangat baik kita jadikan iktibar dan pelajaran dengan kisah benar ini sebagai Muslim sejati. Jangan sesekali kita mempertikaikan hukum Allah mahupun sunnah RasulNya s.a.w. dengan mempersendakan atau mengejek. Kata kata seperti ajaran Islam tidak sesuai lagi dengan arus kemodenan dunia hari ini atau sembahyang tidak akan buat kita jadi kaya dan seumpamanya adalah kata-kata yang sangat biadab dan menghina Allah, pencipta seluruh alam.

Ingatlah teman, kita boleh melupakan kematian, tetapi kematian tetap akan terjadi kepada kita. Hanya masanya saja yang akan menentukan bila kita akan kembali ke alam barzakh. Janganlah menjadi orang yang bodoh, siapakah orang yang bodoh itu? Mereka itulah orang yang ingin melawan Tuhan Rabbul ‘alamin. Apabila anda enggan melaksanakan suruhan Tuhan bererti anda ingin melawan arahan Tuhan.

Sewaktu di sekolah anda tertakluk dengan undang-undang sekolah, dalam pekerjaan anda tertakluk dengan undang-undang yang dilakar oleh majikan anda, di dalam negeri anda tertakluk di bawah undang-undang negara anda. Begitu taksub sekali anda terhadap undang-undang itu sehingga terlalu prihatin takut kalau melanggar undang-undang tersebut . Apabila anda berpijak di bumi ini, anda juga tertakluk dengan undang-undang yang telah di gubal oleh yang pemilik yang menjadikan bumi ini.

Setiap Sultan ada taman larangannya, begitu juga Allah s.w.t. taman laranganNya adalah perkara-perkara yang telah diharamkan bagi hamba-hambaNya di muka bumi ini. Sama samalah kita memohon agar Allah sentiasa memberi kita petunjuk di atas jalan yang benar dan agar Dia memberikan kekuatan agar kita sentiasa dapat menjaga lidah kita, amin.Kisah ini dikongsikan dan diceritakan bersama oleh sahabat saya sendiri yang berasal di Malaysia dan kini berada di perantauan sana. – Edisikini

 — w

..what are they really saying..in my own words..

okay..okay ..everyones expecting me to reprint nonsensical articles,blow up big on cheap and dirty  tabloids, dubious news and laughable rumours some here only know  of the Sapura debacle thats going on rite now woah!...from savvy  Dallas episodes, Chinta Agong Love Stories at least in prints  to  typical  neo malay sensationalism,the speculations , quite right,endless.But what is not written there seemed to be all the answers and statements this family is making.Sure , its about a foreign wifes hopes and aspirations , a fathers gift of love to his sons he forgot,a better accurate one is of middle stringers vile enough to ride this and make millions on this fight,lastly a look at forlorn  sadness  by the in laws wishing there was a better end to this family feud,a whip of joy by all defendants and plaintiffs in Sapura related cases saying i told you so,but what they are really saying,you are really nothing,dont waste your time more OF MINE  and dont push us. And how will it end..as a facebooker juz wrote on my wall..Allah is Wise n Fair....Salam.

Strategies..

Three main ones crop up in modern management. defensive,overtly offensive,covertly offensive.The choice depends on whether to fight,one is strong enough to fight,one is yet weak in defense even though he may be strong enough to fight and it is a situation with no option. Hence executives are expected to take responsibility to their organizations seriously and temper their natural aggression.At the same time,one is taught to take every advantage of opportunities and to be wary of threats so that one can be adept in the Art of War and make best of its situation.

In defensive warfare,rather than merely taking a passive acceptance of ones position in the face of stronger rivals,seek the offensive with the clear objective of protecting one's market share. Sometimes leading companies will also take a defensive stance to protect what they have got.Never assume we will never be attacked but to prepare against such.Defensive strategy is thus more proactive than reactive.The lesson is that one should be disciplined in seeking to consolidate one's strengths,such could involve chopping off products which are not doing well or replacing those which are about to enter the decline phase as depicted on the product life cycle.At the same time, one should monitor the competitors movement. Should we suffer a sudden price attack,be wary of the wait and see approach.If we have been well informed about our competitor,then we should know the extent of their financial capabilities and his archilees heels so we can launch a counter attack.
In overt offensive, ie open war fare where one publicly muscles and launch into a straight for the throat attack against the competitor,it serve no purpose to be destructive.This is because there is no point in taking control of a company whose management and staff are demoralized,whose financial resources are exhausted and image and credibility ruined.
And when taking over the company bid for,do not waste the human resource. Be well informed about the company that is being taken over so that we know the capability of each key manager in the company and retain the capable ones who should be assured of employment and fair treatment.
Offensive warfare is mainly based on superiority in numbers whereby one's forces should be concentrated.This means not fighting on too wide a territory with too broad a range of products to avoid over spreading resources. In keeping your forces concentrated,avoid taking more than one competitor at a time.While concentrating your force,remember to keep something in reserve,and even if u hv a plenty of funds,do not spend it all at once.
While superiority innumbers tend to place the odds in larger companies favor because the larger firm has larger budget to advertise,hire the best or more staff,do not over rely on such as there can be weakness in strength.Larger companies take longer time to make decisions when compared with a smaller firm. A small company may thus be able to surprise a big company with a new product,sometimes one can also feed on the enemy ie joint ventures,by riding on their successes or publicity.

Using covert offensive strategy,requires one to keep as low profile as possible while making his offensive moves.In staying out of the limelight,his moves are virtually unknown to the world at karge..quietly,he shall attack his rivals strategy and prevents his alliance with other competitors.And when a competitor presents an opportunity,do not hesitate to seize it because if one is slow to react,there may never be a second window.Salam.

Corporate Politics

Office Politicking are facts of life and is a reality in any organizational compounds. Some principles to remember :
1) Realize office politics no laughing matter: this will ensure we will watch ourselves from stepping inadvertently into other peoples territory..
2)A fight may not be for the best: ask ourselves 3 Qs: What are our chances of Winning..If we win wat do we get...is what we get worth the fight..
3)Make Friends..this is where coalitions in the office have been found to be a useful mean of resolving conflicts contributing to team building and getting things done
4)Gathering Information..get to know what is going on around you so that in your prepared state.you are more alert and capable of dealing with awkward situations.
All of the above simply points to the principle of "breaking enemy's resistance without actually fighting."We should also wise to unfair tactics like scheming,corrupting,disgraced morals and behaviours,ir gambling women alcohol,drugs etc.
Bosses play an important role here because failing to lead and manage will cause other employees to be distressed,disobedient,those majority having lost respect for the management,inclined to leave and destroy the organization.

It is essential then for bosses to display the 5 virtues..wisdom,sincerity,benovolence,courage and strictness..under most fundamental factor..COMMAND! Salam.