Two strategic initiatives out of three fail. They are actually a huge challenge for "more-of-the-same, better-and-better", companies. Indeed, their cross-organization scope violates all principles of silo efficiency.

Strategic initiatives are precisely not "more of the same." Smarter Execution identifies seven key steps that managers need to get to grips with if they are to reap the full benefits of their strategic initiatives:

Focus first less is more

Pick the best possible team don't compromise

Set the course learn to navigate to a destination that is not yet fully defined

Set up to win there is no "commitment switch": it starts with you

Think it through rehearse mentally each next step, leaving no stone unturned

Get all aboard it's about getting people to change the way they work

Follow through to learn on the go

The authors, Xavier Gilbert, Bettina Buchel, and Rhoda Davidson, have been working with several hundred executives to help them execute their strategic initiatives. Time and again, they have seen how these seemingly common-sense insights were actually unexpectedly difficult to apply in most "efficient" organizations