Strategic planning is a management tool. It is used to help an organization clarify its future direction ?to focus its energy Cheap Corey Brewer Jersey , and to help members of the organization work toward the same goals. The planning process adjusts the organization聮s direction in response to a changing environment. Strategic planning is a disciplined effort to support fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does and why it does it, with a focus on where it wants to go and how it is going to get there.
Discipline is a prerequisite to this process because it requires laser-like persistence to bring about a productive strategic planning initiative. The process raises a sequence of questions that helps planners examine current reality Cheap Donatas Motiejunas Jersey , test assumptions, gather and incorporate information about the present, and perform trend analysis on the future industry environment.
Fundamental decisions Cheap Louis Williams Jersey , actions and choices must be made in order to develop a plan that provides the 聯Footprints to Success.?The plan is ultimately no more, and no less, than a set of decisions about what to do Cheap Sam Dekker Jersey , why to do it, and when and how to do it.
The scope of the strategy development process for any distributor is dependent upon individual business needs. The strategic planning process is a time and resource-consuming endeavor that involves many people in the organization. This process includes both tactical and strategic application.
A critical factor in developing a strategic plan is looking at the end game first. Just exactly what do you want your company to be when it grows up? Ask yourself the following questions from the perspective of looking five years into the future.
1. What markets will your company be serving five years from now?
2. What products will you be distributing?
3. Who are your primary competitors?
4. What are your strengths?
5. What are your competitors?strengths?
6. How has your marketing strategy changed?
7. What are your core competencies?
8. What is the size of your revenue stream?
9. How is your revenue stream segmented?
These are just a few sample questions, but don聮t stop there. After you聮ve tried to visualize your corporate profile five years in the future Cheap Patrick Beverley Jersey , the next step is scenario planning. It聮s the old 聯What If?analysis. What if you lose your major product line? What if your three biggest competitors become part of a consolidator roll up? What if you dramatically change your product offering so it doesn聮t even resemble the industry you represent today? How will e-business impact your strategy? Recognize that an e-strategy should not exist in isolation from your overall company strategy. Remember that e-anything is only a tool while your company vision is the guide on how you use your tools.
Follow the Strategic Thinking Process
Strategic thinking by a strategy team leader provides a platform for the distributor that identifies the 聯end game?vision, determines core initiatives to achieve the vision, develops associated SIPs (Strategic Implementation Plans) Cheap James Harden Jersey , and coaches the executive strategy team in preparing a presentation of their strategic document to the ownership or Board for approval. After approval is granted, this document becomes the basis for launching the total company planning process. Tactical issues such as sales strategies, performance accountability and compensation issues may also be included.
The Strategy Development Process
Phase I: Company Internal Survey
Preparation
A web-based survey is developed focusing on all aspects of the organization. This generates valuable Wholesale Houston Rockets Jerseys , precise feedback from the employees. This survey is synthesized, analyzed and discussed at the strategy kickoff meeting.
End Game Definition
Through the use of brainstorming and scenario planning, the CEO and ownership create a picture of what the company will be and how it will function 5 to 10 years into the future. This process can be as simplistic as developing a well thought out visionary mission statement to doing actual 聯what if?scenario analysis identifying specific desirable future objectives.
Phase II:
Kick off Strategy Development Meeting ?End Game Presentation
The CEOOwner presents the end game analysis developed to the strategy team. Open discussion may or may not occur at this juncture. However Wholesale Rockets Jerseys , further discussion will take place after the CEO excuses himself from the meeting. This discussion will be moderated by a facilitator to get consensus of the end game by the strategy team. The end game may be challenged only if another alternative is offered.