• The idea looked sound
  • The R&D that followed seemed strong
  • The design phase was thorough and comprehensive
  • The plan looked solid

and it failed.

It happens a lot.   Some statistics suggest that as high as 60% of strategies fail in some way – and many don’t even get off the shelf. It is not pretty.

Why?  Why do so many great ideas, well thought out and planned to the ‘t’ end up in the trash?

This is one of the many questions that Mona Mitchell and I sought to get answered in our journey to publish our book ‘7 Elements of Strategy Execution’.

Of course, as you could imagine, the answers were all over the map.  There was no one clear reason that everyone could agree on but what they did agree on was that strategies do fail, often, and that without care, attention and a lot of work, they will continue to do so.

Despite the range of reasons that were offered to us for failed strategies, Mona and I did eventually come up with 7 key elements that we were confident covered almost every one of the reasons we heard. We gained this insight through wonderful lessons learned from a collection of stories from some pretty senior people who were, or are still, working for: NEI Investments, KPMG, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Sleep Country Canada, MedData, TD Bank and more.

The 7 Elements of Strategy Execution:  

  • Clarity
  • Commitment
  • The Team
  • Accountability
  • Synergy
  • The Plan
  • Leadership

and the ‘umbrella’ to all of these: Culture.

Over the next few weeks I am going to take a dive into each of the elements: what is happening, how does it affect our success and how can we fix it?

In the meantime, if you want to pick up a copy to read – you will find it for sale on Amazon.

And of course, if you would like to talk about a dynamic speaker who would customize a session for your leadership team, give the author a call.

PMI Chapters Unite to Restore Loma Mar Redwoods


May 17, 2025 | Hoffman Creek Trailhead, San Mateo County Memorial Park

On a bright Saturday morning, volunteers from PMI’s Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area chapters gathered at the Hoffman Creek Trailhead to tackle one of Memorial Park’s most persistent threats: invasive French broom. With nearly 30 participants in-person event brought together professionals, students, and families for three hours of hands-on conservation and community building.

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Restoring Balance to Our Redwoods

French broom (Genista monspessulana) poses a serious challenge to native ecosystems. Its rapid growth shades out newly planted tree seedlings, degrades wildlife habitat by displacing native forage species, and carries fire easily into the forest canopy. By removing broom plants at the Loma Mar Redwoods site, we took a tangible step toward healthier soils, safer forests, and thriving wildlife.

 

A Morning of Action

8:45 AM - Check-In & Gear Distribution
Upon arrival, volunteers signed waivers and picked up gloves and specialized weed wrenches. PMI hosts provided parking and carpool instructions to streamline logistics.

9:00 AM - Orientation
 San Mateo County Parks coordinator Stuart Smith led a brief safety briefing, demonstrating the most effective techniques for uprooting broom roots and preventing regrowth.

9:10 AM – 12:00 PM - Removal Effort
Small teams fanned out along the trailhead, forming an efficient “assembly line”: one group loosened roots, another extracted entire plants, and a third bagged and carted debris to disposal points. Friendships formed over shared effort and conversation, and newcomers networked with long-time PMI members.

12:00 PM - Lunch & Networking (Optional)
 Over boxed lunches, participants swapped stories, discussed PMI’s upcoming sustainability initiatives, and exchanged contact information—ensuring the relationships built in the forest would continue beyond the trails.

 

Voices from the Trail

“It was a wonderful experience and a great way to connect with my community,” shared one volunteer, reflecting the spirit of collaboration that defined our morning.

Behind the Scenes: Seamless Coordination

This event’s success hinged on meticulous planning and partnership:

  • San Mateo County Parks – Loma Mar Redwoods Team provided expert guidance, materials, and unwavering support throughout.
  • Host & Liaison Nehru Chevanan coordinated with San Mateo County Parks, arranged event day tool distribution, and managed on-site support.
  • Event Project Manager Kashika Srivastava orchestrated logistics, volunteer communications, and site preparation ensuring every detail was in place.

A heartfelt thank-you to all three for making this day run like clockwork, and to every volunteer who joined us in stewardship of our local redwoods.

Looking Forward

We’re already planning our next joint outreach! Whether you’re an experienced conservationist or new to volunteering, we invite you to stand with PMI in protecting our parks and strengthening community ties. Visit the PMI Silicon Valley chapter websites for details on upcoming events and be part of our next chapter in sustainability.

Photo Credit: PMI Silicon Valley & San Francisco Bay Area Chapters