Identifying and articulating an injury management strategy allows everyone to talk through the aims and agree on objectives. The process of talking through and coming to agreement engages people along the way, and if people are involved the strategy is more likely to be successful.

How do I develop a strategy?

Developing a strategy requires analysing needs, working out how to achieve success, and then working out a plan of attack. (There is often a much greater focus on developing a strategy than implementing the strategy.)

• Analyse the data. Collecting and understanding the status quo can be difficult and take time; nevertheless, being clear about the problems the organisation has is the foundation for developing a strategy.
• Get the right information, including hard case and claims data, and talk to people to understand where the organisation’s problems lie.
• Use benchmarking tools. These can be useful, whether simple or complicated, but it’s important to get input from all the relevant players.
• Develop a draft. You might be happy to develop an outline of a strategy by yourself. Convene a group of people who will be key players, and involve them in the strategic planning. Get the input on key elements of the strategy, and modify your approach accordingly.
• Present the draft. Approach key opinion leaders, including senior management. Get their buy-in.

How do I implement the strategy?

The most important aspect of strategic management is implementation. The most wonderful strategic plan will be a waste of time if it’s not effectively implemented.

Implementation involves:

• giving the people the reasons to come on board, rather than simply telling them to come on board.
• making sure procedures are documented, and available and used
• reviewing after a month and review after three months. People need reminding and reinforcement.

...and may also involve:

• providing written material
• identifying opportunities for them to improve
• identifying what’s in it for them, such as improved productivity, reduced costs, less hassle, less workload.

Tips for implementing strategies:

• Implementation often works well if it can be done in a small area successfully, and then built on.
• Create a vision for those around you. Let them know the value of implementing your plan and how the company will benefit when the plan is effectively implemented.
• The plan should be a living process, come back to it repeatedly, and assess your progress. Good things often take time, and you shouldn’t be disheartened if your first endeavours are not successful. Be committed and express your commitment consistently.