5. Implementing these strategies

Strategies are implemented through the company's structure and organization. Indeed, any change in strategy must be matched by a concomitant change in structure. This can be achieved in a number of ways.

• Incremental, if it takes place over a fairly long period of time, with changes being made progressively; it is therefore gradual and relatively unobtrusive.

• Suddenly, when urgent action is required. A new organizational chart is circulated, and managers and roles reassigned. This can be difficult for employees to accept, and will require a great deal of communication.

• Planned, if the change occurs early enough to be programmed with progressive training associated with this organizational change.

• By definition, structure is the set of functions...