Many managers and entrepreneurs postpone the implementation of strategic management in their companies because they believe they have impediments within their organizations. However, most impediments are merely minor difficulties that can be easily overcome. To put an end to this myth, we've identified five false obstacles that you can overcome with simple actions:

1. Firefighter syndromeWe live in an extremely competitive era with a globalized market. This causes companies to operate on a model of maximum cost reduction and a reduced staff, leading to overwork for employees and managers. It's very common to hear from managers that they can't plan because they spend their day solving problems and requests. And the next day, the routine repeats, creating a vicious cycle: they don't plan because they're putting out fires, and they keep putting out fires because there's no planning.Tips to reverse this situationDelegate more, trust the work of collaborators and subordinates, give managers decision-making autonomy. Additionally, set aside time on your schedule for planning and do not allow interruptions during that time. Even if it's just a little bit each day, you will see the results and have even more time to plan. Getting out of the "firefighter" role requires discipline, but the rewards are increasingly greater.
2. Not knowing how to planWe have the bad habit of acting without planning. Most people despise strategic planning, finding it a boring and difficult activity. But, planning your company's actions doesn't always have to be time-consuming and arduous. In most cases, it won't be necessary to meticulously break down every activity, but rather to think about what needs to be done, how it will be done, when, by whom, and what the project cost will be. With this information in hand, execution becomes easier, as does monitoring.TipTo build the habit of planning, start simply, but don't skip it. Once the habit is part of your routine, increase the complexity of your planning if needed.
3. Resistance to the new:Humans tend to stay in their comfort zone and resist change. However, the false sense of security that routine imposes on us can be extremely detrimental to businesses, as competitors are constantly investing in innovations to capture a larger share of the market.TipStaying updated on market news, management models, products, and services can guarantee a competitive edge for your company, a decisive factor for success. Always be aware of what can be improved within the organization and don't be afraid to experiment with new processes.
4. Lack of knowledgeMany entrepreneurs and managers are already aware of the benefits of implementing strategic management in their businesses, but they don't feel prepared to lead or manage this new planning process in the company. Or, they don't know how to actually apply a management model to their institution, believing that managing and doing strategic planning is “something for large corporations.” However, strategic management can be applied to any segment or area of operation, regardless of the company's size, as it is a model for organizing and monitoring goals and objectives.TipBet on software that can automate the strategic management process in your company. In addition to saving time, automated management makes information organization and visualization easier and makes managers and employees more confident in adopting the new model.
5. Lack of timeIn today's world, where information arrives instantly and we can be connected 24/7, an illusion is created that we can do more things in less time. However, this thinking ends up overwhelming workers, who are often distracted by constant interruptions from smartphones, email, and the internet, and therefore, are highly unproductive.TipOne of the solutions to this problem is to reduce wasted time. How? With planning! Before attending to the numerous requests that arrive from various sources, plan how your day will be, what the priority activities are, and which ones can be delegated. And most importantly: stick to the plan. The time spent planning will certainly be less than the time wasted on other less important activities.

Stratec's Strategic Management software assists executives in executing strategy, enabling the planning of goals and action plans to achieve them, monitoring their execution, and communicating and tracking organizational results. In this way, it supports the creation of a transparent results-oriented culture and allows the company to learn continuously. To learn more about the system, watch our videos or request a presentation.