Strategic Plan In Place: Now What?

A chamber leader recently asked me how can we keep our team motivated and disciplined when executing our strategy? When it comes to tactical execution think: brevity, believability and belonging. Remember, your leadership sets the tone and the approach you choose can greatly influence performance. Here are a few tips to consider:

Performance is people-driven.

When executing on strategy, brevity, believability and belonging are important considerations for team performance.

1. Keep it light: Create Momentum Meetings

Instead of long strategy update meetings, hold short (20–30 minutes) bi-weekly stand-ups. One association I was part of called them ‘Team Huddles’. Focus on progress toward key milestones.

   •   Celebrate one quick win at each meeting.

   •   Keep positive. Occasionally share a “roadblock or learning lesson” and reflect on it as a team.

   •   Share specific next steps and due dates with team. 

   •   Recognize those that are tracking in your preferred system/tool. 

This light and airy rhythm builds accountability, is seen as less burdensome and reinforces that execution is everyone’s responsibility, not just the CEO’s.

 2. Ya gotta see it to believe it: Use a Simple Visual Dashboard

When considering tracking tools, there are many options. I’ve seen chambers use simple excel spreadsheets. More sophisticated options include Asana. There are other platforms including Google Sheet or even a victory wall that tracks:

   •   KPIs and their current status (green/yellow/red)

   •   Milestones and deadlines along the critical path

One chamber I work with had a talented illustrator on staff. The multi-coloured and whimsical marker drawings on the office wall were a great reminder and made progress feel real and measurable.

Avoid introducing too many systems. Stick to one platform for tracking milestones and one for communication. Simplicity breeds consistency and trust in the process.

 3. Tell me why: Tie Actions to Impact

Teams stay motivated when they understand the why behind the work. At each tactical review:

   •   Reconnect milestones to the larger strategic priorities and member outcomes.

   •   Celebrate metrics that show community or member impact, not just internal task completion.

For example: “We completed the Awards sponsorship package early. This helped secure $8,000 in new funding to undertake video profiles for our nominees and the surplus strengthened our Chamber’s sustainability.”

 4. Both measure and motivate: Introduce Progress Parties

Once per quarter, host an internal check-in and celebration to:

   •   Review KPIs and adjust targets.

   •   Identify initiatives that are stalled and decide whether to pivot or resource differently.

   •   Re-prioritize next quarter’s tactical steps.

Include both staff and a few board champions to sustain buy-in. 

After each major milestone, schedule a 15-minute “After-Action Review”:

   •   What worked?

   •   What didn’t?

   •   What can we do better next time?

This reinforces continuous improvement and prevents small issues from compounding.

 5. Spark me: Use Recognition as Fuel

In addition to Progress Parties, recognize contributions in newsletters, staff meetings, and board reports. A simple “Spotlight on Success” slide each month (e.g. “Thanks to Lisa for completing the new member prospect list!”) helps sustain morale and momentum.

 There is always a tendency to overthink performance measures. Remember performance is people-driven. Be brief. Choosing the most relevant KPIs. Help teammates believe in the process. Connect the measure to bigger picture impact and have fun with it. Executing on strategy is more than performance, it’s another opportunity to build belonging among your team. Remember, as a leader, creating a supportive work environment is the best approach.