How Strategic Planning works
Q: I've just been reading about the benefits of strategic planning. It sounds very promising; what's involved?
A: It starts with a successful strategic planning workshop, retreat, awayday or whatever is the appropriate title for you and your team.
Q: We've had retreats before but they've not been very satisfactory. What's the secret of success for such events?
A: As with many other things in life, it's all down to careful preparation. In fact preparing for the workshop will take much more time than running it.
Q: How long should our strategic planning workshop be?
A: To cover all the important aspects, it will take between 1½ and 2½ days.
Q: How do we design the agenda for the workshop?
A: Engage the services of an experienced strategic planning guide / facilitator.
Q: What will he do?
A: In the 6 week run-up to the workshop, he will help you to clarify the outcomes you want from the workshop, to identify the sessions/tasks to be included in the agenda and to commission the preparation work required for each session.
Q: What do you mean by outcomes?
A: Usually the format and content of your strategic plan but there can be other outcomes as well such as learning and making the team work more effectively.
Q: What sort of sessions should we include in our workshop?
A: The agenda of every workshop is unique and depends very much on what the sponsor wants to achieve. Typically, an agenda might include a selection from the following topics:
- Vision and goals
- The external environment
- Market segments and customers
- Competition
- Company culture
- Suppliers and value chains
- Financial assessment
- Critical projects
- Managing the implementation
Q: Once we've run the workshop, is that the end of it?
A: No, that's the start of it. During the workshop you'll decide when and how you are going to review the progress of the critical actions and projects. The most effective organisations review progress monthly and review and revise their strategic plans annually.
Q: OK, sounds interesting. I'd like to explore how we might improve our strategic planning. What should I do?
A: Call Charles Hobson on 07850-743526 or email him on charles.hobson@strategicplanningmatters.co.uk to arrange a no obligation meeting.