Winning: Jack Welch on Execution

Author: Gan Huaming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Learn from Jack Welch, implement execution at the core processes, and have an "execution operation manual." Using the execution operation manual to implement execution is like using a "management compass" to draw the circle of management. The execution operation manual includes the following sections:
- "Execution: Personnel Process Operation Manual"
- "Execution: Strategic Process Operation Manual"
- "Execution: Financial Process Operation Manual"
- "Execution: Marketing Process Operation Manual"
- "Execution: Production and Operations Process Operation Manual"
- "Execution: New Product Development Process Operation Manual"
When corporate leaders truly implement execution at the core processes, they can:
- Build a foundation for survival,
- Develop core competitiveness,
- Maintain enduring success,
- Achieve excellence,
- Create brilliance.
What made Jack Welch and General Electric successful? In a nutshell, it comes down to winning through execution—excellent execution. Jack Welch's excellent execution has two effective requirements:
1. "Seriousness to the fullest, without any compromise,"
2. "Solid and steady, step by step."
In terms of results, excellent execution must achieve "three guarantees":
- Guaranteed on time,
- Guaranteed in quality,
- Guaranteed in quantity.
In terms of process, excellent execution must complete two mandatory actions and two optional actions.
The two mandatory actions are:
1. "Step by step to the right place,"
2. "Step by step to the right action."
The two optional actions are:
1. Perfect "filling the gaps,"
2. Continuous improvement.
To win, we must, like Jack Welch, comprehensively enhance execution—placing the key to improving execution on leadership.
Second, enhance the organization's execution by ensuring it through refined control.
Third, enhance employees' execution by ensuring it through employee competence.
Win—Learn execution from Jack Welch, and let's start doing it now!