I was reminded the other day, just how important it is to have people within your business making decisions at the right level and empowered to see those decisions through. The scenario was that the management team were all very busy people (running the business as you would expect) and, as with any new project, it was difficult for them to give it the right level of attention. Two managers took separate decisions to move staff in their teams and dedicated them to the project in question. Within weeks the two individuals became the ‘authority’ and the project started to fly.
Never underestimate the knowledge and drive of the people that work for you and the credit you will get for empowering them.