“How to Win”: Insights on Strategy and Execution

Once a year, leaders from all industries come together to share insights on leadership, innovation, and performance excellence. The Baldrige Fall Conference, October 28–30, which includes the Communities of Excellence (COE) annual conference, comprises sessions on actionable strategies for driving operational excellence, building a culture of continuous improvement, and achieving sustained high performance across an organization’s processes.

One of the featured industry leaders, Billy Ray Taylor, founder of LinkedX and former North American director of Goodyear Tire, will deliver a keynote address on how to convert strategy into results; disconnected operations into an aligned enterprise; and a lack of trust into a high-performing, self-sustaining culture of ownership.

Taylor recently answered some questions about his presentation and the benefits of attending the Baldrige Fall Conference. 

What does moving from strategy to execution mean to you?

Moving from strategy to execution means translating high-level goals into actionable steps. It’s about ensuring that everyone in the organization understands his or her role in achieving an organization’s objectives and that the organization has the right processes in place to measure progress and gap closure.

What’s the “why” for an organization in creating good strategy?

A well-crafted strategy provides direction and purpose. Strategy aligns resources and efforts, helps prioritize initiatives, and ultimately guides decision making. Good strategy ensures that the organization can respond effectively to changes in the environment and meet the needs of stakeholders.

What have you seen as the biggest challenges for organizations in creating strategy and making it work for them?

As former Ford CEO Alan Mulally said, “You can’t manage a secret.” Additionally, adapting to change and maintaining flexibility while staying true to strategic goals can be difficult.

What are you excited about with preconference registrants at the Baldrige Fall Conference?

I’m excited to share practical tools and methods on “how to win.” Tools and methods include models for strategic planning and execution, which help [people] visualize progress and ensure accountability. I’ll also discuss the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration, ownership, and continuous feedback.

What have you found regarding the importance of organizations pursuing continuous improvement and innovation, as well as learning and networking?

Continuous improvement and innovation are vital for long-term success. They enable organizations to stay competitive and responsive to market changes. Learning and networking foster collaboration and idea exchange, which can lead to breakthrough innovations and enhanced organizational performance. Both focus on how you win, how you work, and where to focus.

The Baldrige Fall Conference in Coral Gables, FL, comprises two distinct conferences. 

• The COE annual conference, October 28–29, will bring together community leaders to discuss topics such as community engagement, measuring impact, and more. A housing and economic development preconference workshop will feature a special presentation on housing in America from experts at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, followed by a panel of local experts and roundtable discussions. Lightening-round breakout sessions will showcase communities presenting their promising practices.
• The Baldrige Fall Conference, October 29–30, will feature Taylor, as well as a keynote by Katharine Bohlmann, vice president of corporate partnerships of the Miami Dolphins; best practices in Lean Six Sigma, including a LEGO game pre-conference workshop; breakout sessions such as “Choosing Measures that Drive Performance” and “Workforce Engagement Lifecycle”; and Best Practice Spotlights showcasing real-world examples from organizations that have integrated innovation and continuous improvement strategies into their operations.