THE STRATEGY: 

 To convert the strategic plan into action and get on with what needs to be done to achieve the targeted strategic and financial objectives!

 Tougher & more time-consuming than strategy-making due to

•           Variety of managerial activities

•           Many different ways to tackle each activity

•           People management skills required

•           Perseverance & wave-making it takes to launch a variety of initiatives

•           Number of bedeviling issues to be worked through

•           Resistance to change to overcome

 Implementing a NEW STRATEGY takes adept managerial leadership to

•           Overcome pockets of doubt & disagreement

•           Build consensus for how to proceed

•           Secure commitment & cooperation of concerned parties

•           Get all implementation pieces in place

•           Every manager has an active role

•           No 10-step checklists & few concrete guidelines

            It’s the least charted, most open-ended part of strategy management

•           Best evidence of do’s & don’ts comes from personal experiences, anecdotal reports, & case studies

            But wisdom yielded is inconsistent

 Outline of Presentation

 •           Each implementation situation occurs in a different context, affected by differing

o          Business practices & competitive situations

o          Work environments & cultures

o          Policies

o          Compensation incentives

o          Mixes of personalities & firm histories

•           Approach to implementation should be customized

•           People implement strategies -- Not companies!

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION?

 •           Unite total organization behind strategy

•           See that activities are done in a manner that tightly matches requirements for first-rate strategy execution

•           Generate such a determined commitment at all organizational levels that an enthusiastic crusade emerges to carry out strategy

•           Create a series of strategy-supportive “fits”

How can the P2M INFOTECHs be made relevance in each country?

 The first step is extensive public dissemination of information on what the P2M INFOTECHs are all about -

 •           Briefings for national government agencies, legislators, local government units,

Schools, universities and civil society

 •           Utilization of all forms of popular media - print, radio, television, e-mail and

Internet to reach the population on a wide scale

 •           Dissemination of information not only on the goals of P2M INFOTECH but also on the state of social development in the country - e.g. poverty, health, employment, etc.

 How can P2M INFOTECHs be integrated in public policy and budget reforms? 

Government should be encouraged to identify policy implications of P2M INFOTECH for the country. 

An alternative would be for civil society, the private sector and multilateral agencies like the UNDP to initiate the necessary policy studies and recommend them to government 

•           studies may identify existing policy thrusts, programs and projects which need to be strengthened and further supported. New programs and projects may be recommended to ensure maximum focus on P2M INFOTECHs

 •           specific studies must be conducted on additional resources required to attain P2M INFOTECHs over and above current national plan and budget. (Note: this has been done in the Philippines at the initiative of UNDP)

 •           possible sources of additional funding have to be identified as early as possible 

•           review process of national as well as local government budgets should  include progress on funding for P2M INFOTECHs on a regular basis 

What relevant experience has been gained from previous global commitments?

 •           the need to make global and regional commitments  national commitments as well

 •           the need to translate global commitments in terms of national issues and experiences

 •           the need for regular monitoring and review, results of which must be disseminated at the country level

 •           the need for countries (and not just governments) to develop a sense of national ownership over policies, programs and projects on P2M INFOTECH

 What are the main roles and contributions of governments, civil society organizations and private sector?

 All of the above players share the same role of seeing to it that P2M INFOTECHs are attained.  All should be encouraged to initiate programs and projects which will contribute to P2M INFOTECHs.  All must be involved in monitoring and evaluating progress on various programs and projects. All must share in accountability for success or failure of such.  However, the difference is in the degree of involvement and financial contribution. 

Government

 •           because of its size, financial clout and impact on economic and social development, the main role of mobilizing resources and initiating programs and projects tend to fall on government

 •           government must also provide the political commitment and the drive to unite the country around P2M INFOTECH 

•           government must subject itself to transparency and accountability in the implementation of programs and projects 

Civil society organizations 

The most important role of civil society organizations is consistent and sustained advocacy of P2M INFOTECHs.  In many countries, they are able to convince governments, private sector and international organizations to engage in projects for P2M INFOTECHs.

 The second most important role of civil society organizations is in monitoring the implementation of programs, projects and activities on P2M INFOTECHs.

 In many countries, civil society organizations have the capacity to implement P2M INFOTECH projects which can be funded by government, private sector and international organizations.

 Private sector 

Private sector organizations tend to focus on social development projects only for their own enterprises or for the communities where their businesses are located. They must be encouraged to fund national projects which revolved around P2M INFOTECHs. 

The private sector can contribute their knowledge in organization and management of projects, capacity building, as well as technology. 

International organizations

 International organizations are associated with funding.  However, they can contribute much to capacity building, the bringing in of expertise and technology and assuring that interest in, and commitments to P2M INFOTECH is sustained. 

International sharing of expertise is also very helpful in implementing global issues at the country level.

 In instances where the main players in a country are deeply divided due to political differences, international organizations have a role in initiating activities which can draw these players together and stimulating them to work together on P2M INFOTECH

 In instances where governments are engrossed in other domestic concerns, international organizations which are perceived to be neutral can do much to trigger government on P2M INFOTECHs

 How can we build stronger partnerships at country level?

 Each major player in the country has to be encouraged to be part of the P2M INFOTECH team.  This might be difficult if a country is divided due to political issues, racial and religious conflict, ideological perspectives and so on.  This is where the international organizations can play a crucial role.  However, they must be perceived as neutral and objective. 

There have to be regular assessments which must be disseminated to the public.

 All partners need to respect and trust each other.

 How to achieve a broad participation and consensus on reporting and monitoring at country level

 National consultations can be held on how best to attain P2M INFOTECHs.  The experience of the Philippines in this regard can be instructive.  The process of arriving at consensus on the country paper of the Philippines on Financing for Development was the result of a year-long consultation process.

 First, the UNDP convened key players from government, civil society and the private sector on the possibility of coming to a consensus on financing for development. After a series of meetings, it was agreed that the three major groups would undertake their own consultations before putting together the country paper.

 Second, the three sectors started their consultations and dialogues.  The consultation process for civil society was spearheaded by Social Watch Philippines.  Policy papers were prepared for each sub-theme on financing for development by experts coming from different groups.  During the national consultation, these papers were discussed and positions were agreed on each issue.  More than 70 national coalitions participated in the consultation process.

 Third, two intersectoral consultations were held, again convened by the UNDP.  The three sectors discussed their respective positions.  A facilitator from a highly respected research institution drafted the country paper, based on consensus arrived at during the consultation.  Interestingly, points of disagreement were also noted in a matrix where the position of each sector on a particular issue was summarized.

 On reporting and monitoring, there is no need to reinvent the wheel.  IN manu countries, civil society organizations have well established networks for reporting and monitoring. Social Watch, for example, monitors and reports on implementation of commitments on social development.

 Conclusion

 In conclusion, it must be recognized that the attainment of P2M INFOTECHs is the responsibility of all players in a country.  It is not the exclusive prerogative of government.  International institutions must deal with all the players in P2M INFOTECHs.  At the same time, governments must be inclusive in drawing in broad participation in the process and be transparent and accountable.