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Strategic
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Strategic Planning Services
Moving Your Organization Forward

Strategic Planning is a two stage process in which management teams create a future for their organization and realize that future through carefully crafted implementation plans.

Stage 1: Interviews/Retreat
In the first stage the management team commits to a one to three day retreat. During this retreat a strategic plan is developed which includes the following components:

• 3 - 5 company/organization Values
• Vision (statement of possibility)
• Mission
• 3-5 year Strategic Directives (no fewer than three,
  no more than seven)
• One year Strategic Goals
• One year objectives

Prior to the retreat the management team will be asked to answer a series of questions. There may be personal interviews with each manager or a select group of the managers. In some cases employees or specific groups of employees will be surveyed. This pre-work is designed to get people thinking strategically long before the retreat itself, and to allow the facilitator to collate material to expedite the live strategic planning process.

As shown below, this approach looks at three broad questions: (1) Who are we as a company/organization? (2) Who could we be? and (3) What does the environment want us to be?

The Pre-Retreat "Core" Questions

The answers to these questions lead to the creation of the plan.

Who Are We As A Company/Organization?
This question looks at the history of the organization. How did you get to where you are?  Was it by chance? Default? Planning?  What are the values you live by? Are those the same values as the values you espouse?  What is your purpose? What have your successes been?  How do you measure success? What are your "aroundherisms," in other words, what is the culture?  What are your strengths and weaknesses? Do your PR materials reflect who you really are, or who you wish to be?

Who Could We Be?
What is your vision of the future? Who do you want to be as an organization?  What kind of legacy do you want to leave? What futures "juice" the people within the organization?  What kind of organization do you aspire to be?  What kind of impact do you want to make on your customers, your employees, your community, the world?

What Does The Environment Want Us To Be?
What forces are shaping the external world in which you do business?  What are the threats and opportunities? What's changing?  What's needed? What's staying the same? How are customers changing their demands?  Where else do they go for the products or services you provide?  What do your other stakeholders want from you?

The answers to these three big questions leads you to uncertainty and the need to make choices.  There is always tension between Who You Could Be and What The Environment Wants You To Be. Reflection and dialogue lead to strategic realizations ­ the aha's of "this is where we want to commit to go." Once that commitment is made, you begin the second stage of strategic planning process ­ bringing your desired future into reality. Strategic planning is less about plans, and more about commitments to create futures. Too often plans live on paper. Commitments live in day to day actions.

Click here for Stage 2: Closing The Gap
 

Strategic Realization Planning For Empowering Management Teams