Strategic Planning is Everyone's Business ? Business News San ...

Strategic Planning is Everyone?s Business*

By Winslow Swart

Too often, business consultants will have a solution and then try to find a problem to fit it. ?In industries like technology, where many applications are standards-based, this can work fine. When it comes to strategic planning it?s called, ?prognosis without diagnosis.?

There are many approaches to strategic planning and thorough?assessment can determine which approach is best suited. In some cases, a hybrid solution of several ?best-practices? is required.

Why strategically plan? Strategic planning helps established companies stay competitive and new organizations build both the tangible and intangible components of their business plans, improving the chances for success.

Strategic planning engages organizations in a process that:

????????? declares a vision and goals for the future,

????????? ?identifies core mission and purpose,

????????? makes commitments and clarifies values that shape actions,

????????? creates a Strategic and Operational Framework for Vision and Goals

????????? lays the Critical Groundwork for Operational Planning and Implementation and

???????? establishes a timeline, performance objectives and the critical factors for success,

It is also an exercise in organizational soul-searching, surfacing the touchstones for value and quality thereby breathing life into a process that would otherwise lack the needed passion, commitment, and energy to succeed.

Traditionally the domain of a few executives or board members, strategic efforts that foster wider collaboration yield better results by harnessing the creativity and shared knowledge of many, versus just a few. Mayor Julian Castro launched SA2020, a strategic vision for San Antonio, asking everyone ?to dream, and dream big? in the spirit of inclusion and collaboration. The Mayor?s Chief of Staff, Robbie Greenblum reports, ?For Mayor Castro, the design of the SA2020 process was critical, the more people that would be involved?the more creative and intelligent minds from the community would be heard.? ?Thousands of San Antonians participated and together identified 11 Vision Areas for San Antonio?s future. ?We asked everyone where we want to be in 10 years, as a city?to think about creating our own destiny, versus allowing economic and social trends to decide who we would become? adds Greenblum.

?We wanted to know what everyone believed were the strengths of this city,? continued Greenblum, ?the values, the culture, the things people did not want to change.?? In terms of identifying the touchstones ? values and competitive strengths ? the process was right on the mark.

A prime example of a critical success factor is found in one of SA2020?s 11 vision areas ? education. Research showed that third grade reading competency is one of the greatest predictors of academic success and graduation rates.?? The mantra of SA2020 is, ?Dream It. Map It. Do It,? connecting the idea that strategic visions should also ignite a sense of mission, making implementation easier. Still, the challenge is in making the vision a reality. If the idea that ?people own what they create? holds true, then there is genuine hope that action will be taken.? A good first step is the thousands of mentoring hours (reading to third graders, etc.) by SA2020 corporate partner employees, non-profit group members and citizens dedicated to transforming this vision into action.

So far, SA2020 seems to be working out well for The City of San Antonio. Your own company?s situation is unique. When embarking on your organization?s vision quest, remember, strategic planning itself requires planning, and one size rarely fits all.

Winslow Swart is the Chief Inspiration Officer at Winslow Consulting, The Business of Human Performance.

*Originally published in the San Antonio Express-News, July 26, 2011

Business News San Antonio ? Ask the Experts ? Strategic Planning ? Winslow Consulting ? Winslow Swart

Source: http://kwcommercialsa.com/blog/?p=2660

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