Strategic Planning Putting Planning Into Action Jim Hessler

Strategic Planning Putting Planning Into Action Jim Hessler Path Forward Leadership Development January-February 2017

Strategic Planning WHAT HOW WHY

Plans are useless, But planning is indispensable. Dwight Eisenhower-

Strategic Planning • Positive outcomes of Strategic Planning: • The intellectual and emotional engagement of employees and partners. • An iterative and flexible approach that “flexes” as things change. • Accountability and performance. • Thought leadership. • Resource planning and prioritization.

Strategic Planning • Potential negatives from Strategic Planning • • • Too much guessing and “predicting. ” Loss of trust in the organization’s management to execute. Sunk costs. Black box- only a few people know the plan. Plan sits on the shelf and becomes a joke. Becomes too much a reflection of what YOU want.

Performing to plan! • Is it OK to change your plan? • If so, how do we build this INTO the process of planning? • What do you do with the plan once it’s written? • How can the plan become the “executive” presence to which all employees are accountable– most notably, YOU.

3 “Windows” to Look Through • 5 Years • 1 Year • 90 days

3 “Windows” to Look Through • 5 Years • 1 Year • 90 days

The (rolling) 5 year window • • What are the assumptions I’m re-viewing when I look through my 5 year window? Business model? Product/service potential? Market conditions? Personal role. Leadership transition? Threats to Values/ Culture? Ownership issues? Staff growth/development? Others? ?

The (rolling) 1 year window What are the broad initiatives I need to execute on during the next 12 months? • Plan expansion into another market? • Add staff/office space? • Introduce new product/service? • Reorganize structure? • Process redesign/IT initiative? Others? ?

The (rolling) 90 day window AKA CHUNKING DOWN THE BIG STUFF • • Study rents and market potential in secondary market. Engage realtor to find options for new office space. Present new product idea to test-marketing groups. New org chart proposal to Board/Exec group. Written project plans, assigned by name and date, and reviewable MONTHLY. Time and resources prioiritized.