Strategies are not optional! They are your essential roadmaps to success, so please create them carefully.

There are so many organisations that do not see value in formulating strategies. Your team require direction from your strategies so they can align behind them to ensure objectives can be achieved.

To decide on the best way forward, you need to understand your supply chain drivers and how they are going to support your goals. I have often found some drivers being set up in contrast to the commercial goals of the business.

What about your teams? Do your teams have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform their roles, and are they fully utilised? Don’t think goals can be easily achieved without clearly defining the route to success.

• Have clear and measurable commercial goals.
• Understand what is required to meet the needs of your different customer segments
• Ensure your supply chain drivers are aligned in a way that will ensure customer segment goals will be met
• Align your the skill sets of your team with what needs to be achieved to create magic for your customers, staff and other stakeholder.

One other point that is surprisingly common which must be avoided. The strategy needs to be shared with all personnel within the business as well as your partners!

Don’t hide the roadmap from your team!