Mind the Gap: Why Great Advice Isn't Enough
I recently read an article that said, “According to McKinsey & Company, 70% of complex, large-scale change programs fail to achieve their stated goals”. The reason? Not poor strategy, but failed execution. The same article went on to say, “Each year, companies spend over $350 billion on consulting services globally, yet struggle to transform that expertise into tangible results.”.
That got me thinking about SMBs and early-stage companies and how many pay a premium for advice that never turns into action. It's one of the biggest frustrations I hear from senior executives and business owners who've worked with consultants from global firms to boutique agencies and coaches. The common complaint? They talk a lot. They even deliver beautiful reports. But when it's time to execute, that’s “not what they do,” and nothing happens.
This problem isn't just frustrating; it's costly, in time and dollars. While strategy and building a plan are important, your resources are better spent paying for progress. Agree on the priorities, build a plan, then execute: test, learn, iterate, repeat. This doesn’t always guarantee success, but it does guarantee learning.
The Advice Trap: Why Good Strategies Fail
We can all agree that strategy is important. Every business needs a clear direction. But the truth is that most strategies never see the light of day. They sit in PowerPoint decks, lost in email threads, or buried under a pile of day-to-day operational fires.
Three key factors typically derail implementation:
Most consultants typically stop at "what" and "why." They outline what a company needs to do and why it matters but rarely take accountability for the how. Execution becomes someone else's problem.
Most executives and internal teams are already overwhelmed. Adding complex new strategies to their workload without dedicated support sets them up for failure.
Also, there's often no clear accountability. When execution isn't built into the process from the start, there's no one to drive results or adjust course when things don't go as planned.
Before You Hire That Consultant
Ask yourself these questions:
What percentage of their fee is tied to actual implementation and results?
Do they have a clear methodology for ensuring implementation success?
Will they work with the team to educate and improve the capacity of your team?
Potential red flags:
Deliverables focused solely on documentation and recommendations
No clear accountability for implementation outcomes
Lack of specific execution metrics and milestones
A Path Forward
The business landscape evolves rapidly, but one truth remains: execution sets exceptional organizations apart. Success favors those who turn ideas into reality, not those with the most polished strategies. The future belongs to doers who understand that small, consistent steps forward matter more than perfect plans..
Take a moment to assess your organization:
Do you have clear owners for your key initiatives?
Are resources dedicated to execution, not just planning?
Can you measure the impact of your strategic initiatives?
How quickly can you move from idea to implementation?
The Execution Gap: Where Business Advice Falls Short
I recently read an article that said, "According to McKinsey & Company, 70% of complex, large-scale change programs fail to achieve their stated goals." The reason? Not poor strategy, but failed execution. The same article went on to say, "Each year, companies spend over $350 billion on consulting services globally, yet struggle to transform that expertise into tangible results."
That got me thinking about SMBs and early-stage companies and how many pay a premium for advice that never turns into action. It's one of the biggest frustrations I hear from senior executives and business owners who've worked with consultants from global firms to boutique agencies and coaches. The common complaint? They talk a lot. They even deliver beautiful reports. But when it's time to execute, that's "not what they do," and nothing happens.
This problem isn't just frustrating; it's costly, in time and dollars. While strategy and building a plan are important, your resources are better spent paying for progress. Agree on the priorities, build a plan, then execute: test, learn, iterate, repeat. This doesn't always guarantee success, but it does guarantee learning.
