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Strategic Planning prepares a business for tomorrow’s threats
and opportunities.
The next time you watch a football game, observe what the head
coach is doing on the sidelines. After each play, the usually
listens on a headset to the other coaches, who are seated high
in the stadium for an unobstructed view of the playing field,
for their assessment of the previous play. Then the head coach
refers to a set of notes to direct the players in the next play.
These notes are the plan for the game. This plan has been
created by the team of coaches to direct the players in their
efforts and is the result of their review of the strengths and
weaknesses of their team and of the opponent. This plan
outlines the team’s strategy for the game.
While most sports organizations are now large businesses,
running a business is not a game. However, some of the same
tenets that apply to directing an athletic team apply to
effectively running a business. A business without a plan is
almost sure to fail, as is an athletic team.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, Planning is “to
arrange the parts or details of in advance”. Strategic is
“of great importance within an integrated whole or to a planned
effect”. Combined, Strategic Planning means to arrange
the parts in advance to create the planned effect. An effective
Strategic Plan creates a framework to assist and direct the
organization to achieve its goals and objectives. It becomes a
“road map” which will guide the management team of the
organization in carrying out their roles. It is a process that
begins with setting the direction for the organization [the
Vision] and defining strategies and goals to move toward that
Vision. Once the plan is properly completed, it communicates the
strategic direction to the management and employees of the
organization.
An effective Strategic Plan is one which is clearly defined,
specifically assigned and properly monitored. It provides an
understanding and perspective of the threats, opportunities and
challenges that face the organization. It sets forth broad, as
well as, specific goals for the management of the organization.
A truly effective Strategic Plan also establishes a monitoring
process that outlines a procedure of accountability for the
execution of its content.
A Strategic Plan is recommended for all business organizations.
It is most often created by a planning group, which may be the
Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, or a management
group established specifically to create and monitor the Plan.
The Plan is usually reviewed and modified, if necessary, on an
annual basis. However, it should be noted that the planning
group can make modest changes at any time if their review of the
plan dictates them. The planning session need not be looked upon
as a laborious task or an added burden, but rather as an
opportunity to develop and state the objectives of the
organization.
Sea Bright Enterprises, Inc., has created a Strategic Planning
Program which will be customized for your organization and
includes the following:
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Facilitator’s Guide
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Pre-work Questionnaire for Planners
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Text on Strategic Planning
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Planning Workbooks for Participants
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Appropriate Graphics on disc or CDROM
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Executive Presentation Kit
The Program is designed to guide and assist the planners through
the process. Progressing step-by-step through the Program leads
the planners to the development of a Strategic Plan that
communicates the Vision and direction for the organization.
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