E-learning for successful strategic and process mobilization
Why are strategic policies not carried through? Why are process alterations incomplete?
These questions are in the minds of many managers who are responsible for the operation and profitability of their companies. The direction and the methods are clear, but the challenge is in persuading the whole organization to act in line with the strategy.
Organizational management needs effective tools for converting strategy to efficient action. Our charting process indicates that generally strategy is communicated in organizations by means of common, organized events, the Intranet communication function or through managers. These are useful methods, but the problem with them is that it is difficult to ascertain whether they have worked and the effects are short-term.
Management needs effective tools
Prewise has developed a method which significantly increases strategic or process mobilization. The mobilization process is built around an e-learning environment, where the participants approach the subject by carrying out modules with training content and sharing their experiences and information concerning the practical application.
Performance measurement encourages the individuals to act, and management receives real-time information on how well staff have understood and absorbed the strategy. They are consequently able to decide whether any additional measures are needed to carry through the process.
Key challenges for strategic implementation
Often strategic communication suffers from the abstract nature of the issue. Too often only the authors of the strategy really understand its objectives and principles, having spent months pondering on the subject and planning the strategy in their own enclosed development teams. This easily creates a chasm between strategic planning and its implementation – a chasm at the highest management level.
Change is nearly always necessary when new strategic policies are put into practice – and change is difficult for most of us; particularly so, if we have not had time to commit ourselves to its objectives or have not even understood what it is about.
When mobilizing a strategy, we need to understand fully the mental process that it involves for the individual. The following metaphor describes the process:
- First you DECIDE
- Then you UNDERSTAND
- Only then do you MOBILIZE!
The mobilization process must be advanced at the level where the strategic liturgy can be genuinely linked to the individual’s own work, objectives and duties. Only this can produce change.
Effective mobilization
Prewise has solid experience in the comprehensive implementation of the mobilization process, from process and content planning to realization of the process and measurement of results.
If you wish to improve the results of the mobilization process and speed up the adoption of the strategy and the new processes, we recommend the following action:
- Target and verify!
- Identify the persons you wish to commit to the strategy and the new operating model
- Train for the reference framework, lay down foundations
- Measure starting level
- Communicate verifiably - pedagogically
- Measure understanding
- Ensure opportunity to participate
- Request and accept feedback
E-learning is an excellent means of implementing change. It is easy to divide the subject matter into logical segments that can be fed to the learner in single helpings.
Managing the training and communication processes ensures that all the action and results can be monitored transparently and user-specifically.
Text: Iiro Pohjanoksa