Strategy Research Blog

Speed of Implementation

Why It’s the Ultimate Competitive Advantage

The “speed of change” is no longer just a catchphrase—it is the baseline for modern business. Whether you are in Marketing, Ops, or HR, the environment is moving faster than ever.

But here is the reality: Strategy is easy. Implementation is hard. Human beings are often hard-wired to prefer consistency. We are designed to fight change. So, how do you energize an entire organization to adopt a new roadmap in a timely, efficient manner?

Activation Workshops have been found to increase the speed with which changes are implemented within an organization. Think of an Activation Workshop as similar to a relay race at a track and field event.

First, in a relay race, each team member comes into the event with their own job to do— the individual and unique role they bring to the team. Second, relay races are a team sport. Everyone on the team is required to work in unison and to trust (and know) what other team members are doing. And third, in a successful relay, the person receiving the baton isn't standing still; they already have a “jump-start” and are at full sprint. The handoff happens at maximum momentum.

As in a relay race, the implementation of change in business requires the same aspects; team members to do their part, move in-sync with other team members, and have trust—the non-visual handoff that maintains speed. Activation Workshops ensure the "owners" of a project can efficiently and effectively implement and activate their corporate goals and initiatives.

Seven Benefits of an Activation Workshop

1. Breaking Down Silos: Workshops allow every department in one room to work in sync. When stakeholders brainstorm together, they solve customer issues with the collective speed of a unified track team.
2. Resource Optimization: Without coordination, multiple teams often duplicate efforts. We ensure everyone is running in their own lane, utilizing resources instead of wasting them.
3. Team Building & High Energy: These sessions take on the feeling of a track practice. By working out the kinks together, teams form a cohesive bond and generate genuine excitement for the road ahead.
4. Neutral Facilitation: By using an outside facilitator, every member of your organization can be part of the team on the field, rather than observing from the sidelines or being distracted by internal politics.
5. A Shared Vision: The power of collective ideas is always greater than the sum of its parts. When a team builds a roadmap together, they support it with far more enthusiasm than they would a top-down mandate.
6. Risk Management & Ownership: Working together in real-time allows teams to identify where they might "drop the baton." Risks are outlined early and assigned clear ownership to ensure the momentum continues.
7. Massive Time Savings: One 8-hour workshop can save months of endless email chains and "meetings about meetings." We jump-start the socialization of information so you can get to work immediately.

The Bottom Line

In a world that doesn't hit the pause button, your ability to adapt and implement is your greatest asset. Activation Workshops provide the structure needed for smoother handoffs and a faster route to the finish line.

How is your team handling the speed of change this year?

Bonnie Janzen

President

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She drives growth for client companies by leveraging strategic consumer insights, innovation, and analytics to shape impactful marketing campaigns and new product development programs. Her consulting expertise includes guiding clients through new business concepts, mergers and acquisitions, including global expansion. She is particularly passionate about advertising and messaging research and plays a key role in the company's strategic direction.

Clay Dethloff

Senior VP, Insights and Innovation

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Clay is an experienced marketing research professional with more than 25 years of experience in both leading and delivering qualitative research in the industry. As the head of qualitative research efforts at Decision Analyst, Clay is responsible for maintaining and improving the quality of qualitative research, identifying new/innovative qualitative research tools, and overall management of the qualitative team.