Does everyone understand your business strategy?

Lots of companies hand out staff gongs for innovation. They seem like a good way to encourage folks. Some companies mysteriously fail to use the publicity opportunities that these awards offer, such as a chance to tout their technological prowess.

 

BAE Systems, doesn't fall into this trap. It has, though, in its latest awards, wandered way from what you might see as strictly technological innovation. One of this year's "Gold Awards for Transferring Best Practice" goes to a team that some managers might prefer to bury than to praise. I mean, would you own up to the fact that less than 50% of your workforce understood your business strategy?

 

After a survey revealed this sad truth, a team at the Warton operation of BAE Systems decided to do something about it.

 

"Working with an artist, the team created a visual interpretation of the strategy that helped increase understanding of the business up to 82%. The leadership team also believes it has had an impact on the bottom line, with 40 per cent growth in the past two to three years."

 

Maybe this is a trade secret that BAE wants to keep to itself. If not, perhaps the team involved should write one of those inspirational management books that seem to sell so well at the world's airports.