Successful strategy formulation requires a new way of thinking. Instead of looking forward from today and doing what-if scenarios, you focus on the outcomes first as though they had already happened. Then work backwards to identify the success measures, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and then the core strategies and key actions that will achieve the future outcomes.
It's a 5-Phase process we call the ABC's of Strategy Formulation and Implementation, using five simple questions to focus your thinking:
A - What are the future outcomes we have created?
B - How will we know when we get there?
C- Where are we today?
D - How will we get there?
E - What may be changing in our external environment that might affect our success?
We recommend starting with Phase E and scanning eight areas for future trends which might impact the actions you take today - socio-demographics, competition, economics and ecology, politics/regulations, technology, industry, and customers/citizens.
For example, let's say one of the trends shows that the community you serve, where your customers are, will be 40% Hispanic, 20% Asian, 10% African American and 10% Caucasion and other ethnicities by the year 2015. How will that affect your business? What changes should you be making today to prepare for a largely multicultural customer-base - in areas such as products, promotional campaigns, multi-lingual staff, packaging, customer service, etc?
Starting first with the environmental scan identifies opportunities and threats facing you today, as in the example above. Once that is completed, we recommend moving next to Phase A to stay strategically focused and develop your desired outcomes (vision), mission and values. Then move on to Phases B, C, and D.
This is a process that should be revisited on an annual basis with quarterly check-ups throughout the year to ensure everything is still on track. To learn more, visit this link.
Client Testimonials
“The Systems Thinking concept was introduced to the leadership team at our company by Eric and Jeri Denniston (Haines Center). Although deceptively simple in concept, the rigor it introduces to the planning process is both powerful and clarifying. The template is adaptable to both short-range and long-range planning and has become the guide for strategic and project planning in our company.”
Bruce W. Hueners. President, Palomar Technologies
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2010 Executive Briefings Monday Morning Insights - with San Diego North Chamber of Commerce We've partnered with the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce to bring you a series of seven Executive Briefings that will rev up your creative juices by learning key insights to think, plan and act strategically on a daily basis. All seven workshops are just $69 for Chamber members and lead to a certificate in Strategic and Systems Thinking. Non members pay $99 per session. Click here for details, dates and registration.
Monday Morning Mastery- with San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Join us for a series of seven workshops leading to a certificate in Strategic and Systems Thinking. These are free to Chamber members or $593 for the series or $99 per workshop for non chamber members. Click here for details, dates and registration.
Useful Success Strategies
Why Strategic Planning Fails A new study of 163 CEOs, senior strategists and communications professionals took one of the most comprehensive and rigorous looks to date at corporate strategy, its creation, implementation and the impacts to its success or failure. Download the complete study here.
Recovery Planning "Today's economic picture has been turned inside out, upside down, and backwards. For many years, prior to this latest downturn, organizations coud plot their future direction, their future course of action and their future plans for success".... Download this article authored by one of our Canadian Global Partner, Jim McKinlay. Cut Bureaucracy and Waste Looking for ways to trim expenses? Download this flyerto learn how to find the hidden costs in your business without cutting jobs. One client found more than $3 million the first year! Strategic Thinking Newsletter Get the latest articles on trends, strategies, culture and more. Download it here.
Thursday, 18 June 2009 Some good news for a change, from Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc. Job cuts actually declined in May for the first time since September 2008! One caveat, though, this is traditionally a slow period and we may see job cuts pick up again in the fourth quarter.
It's lonely at the top. While running your own company has its
merits...you get to call the shots...it also has its drawbacks. One is
that as the leader of the organization you need to do the work of
leadership. Your job is to set the direction, motivate the troops, and
define the vision for the organization. It doesn't mean you can't
include your team in helping to set that vision, but you are the
ultimate decision-maker. After all is said and done, you need to make
the tough choices.
