Strategic Planning and Execution

The idea of strategic planning and execution worries many leaders and managers within the organization. It seems so time consuming and laborious. But it doesn’t have to be! Strategic planning and execution are necessary management tools to run a successful business.

Strategic planning and execution go hand-in-hand. Strategic planning is about setting priorities, making decisions and taking actions to meet goals. It is developing the plan that will guide the organization over a period of time with a focus on achieving long-term goals and a vision. Strategic planning provides a roadmap for success that outlines the steps the organization as a whole, a division or a department will take to achieve an overall goal or vision.

Strategic management (or execution) is about executing against that the plan. Strategic management focuses on making strategic choices for the future and managing the work that is done within the organization in alignment with the strategic plan. Strategic management skills enables managers and leaders to analyze internal and external environments in order to formulate strategies to enable for competitive advances in the industry.

Strategic planning and execution provides the tools and discipline an organization needs to determine:

• Which customers to be served and how to attract and keep those customers
• Products and/or services to be offered to those customers
• How to produce products and/or services to meet customer needs
• Ways to reduce costs and increase revenues and profitability
• Ways to streamline operations to increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness
• The best approach to achieving strategic, long-term goals

Strategic planning and execution enables for innovation and creativity within the organization.

• Leaders and managers interested in understanding how to more effectively plan long-term strategies within the organization.
• Leaders and managers interested in learning how to use strategic planning to plan for business success.

• Understand the vision, mission and value of the organization
• Strategic and operational plans
• Understanding internal and external stakeholders
• Identify and evaluate the current situation
• Key performance indicators
• Using scenario planning
• Establishing strategic measures of success
• Gathering key information (industry analysis, market analysis, competitor analysis)
• Using internal analysis techniques and determining core competencies to make better decisions
• SWOT Analysis
• Using Porter’s Five Forces Analysis to examine the competitive nature of a market
• Implementing strategy using the Balanced Scorecard approach
• Setting goals and establishing objectives to achieve
• Determine the path to take to achieve those goals and objectives
• Decision making strategies
• Creating strategies and developing tactics to move forward
• Communicating about and executing against the plan
  • Determining the selection process for strategic initiatives
• Keeping it going through regular check-in meetings
• Managing to the plan and ensuring staff understanding of the plan
• Keeping the plan updated through regular changes within the organization

This workshop can include time for planning and business-focused discussions when facilitated for a cohort group.