Problem #2 – Strategic Planning Process is too Complex
If you are planning more than you’re executing, you’re probably making the process more difficult than it should be. Usually, the best strategic planning is also the simplest. Why?
Because simplification makes the operational planning and implementation process much easier. Operational plans should bring your strategic planning to life and detail the how’s, why’s, where’s, and when’s that are needed to ensure a successful plan implementation. The key focus should answer the question – how do you get from Point A to Point B in the most efficient and effective way possible. If you over-complicate the plan then you increase your probability of failure. Your goal should be to streamline your strategic planning process. Then you can place emphasis on the operational plans that are realistic. That will help you to increase the likelihood of success and empower your team.
When I first started my career with Xerox Learning Systems, one of my top clients was Procter & Gamble. I was consulting with them to train brand managers. They introduced me to something called the One Page Memo. Basically, it was a great way to structure proposals. Every communication had to fit on one-page and follow a fixed five-step format. It’s still being used there today. It taught me the concept of simplicity. The format forces you to focus on what’s important and express yourself clearly. The One Page Memo saved their executives countless hours of reading long-winded memos and proposals. It taught me the principle of simplicity, and that’s stayed with me since then.
Instead of having binders with hundreds of pages, why not think simplicity? How about a file folder in your desk drawer? Think about how much time that would save. What’s the likelihood of finding a short, well-written 1-2 page memo instead of trying to find information in a thick 3-inch binder on the shelf…with dust on it! Rarely do our clients end up with that big binder on the shelf. Throughout the process, we set guidelines for reports, memos, emails, and other communication to the team. We will save a lot of reading time for team members to get key ideas and concepts boiled down to easily readable documents.
Simplicity is also Key for the Strategic Planning Sessions
Simplicity is also built into our 3-step strategic planning process. The plan can be ready to implement in a few months. It can take only a couple of days overspread over a three-month period to get it done. Those sessions can be scheduled on weekends and off-site to avoid distractions. It doesn’t have to take months and months of agony, with rescheduled meetings, frustration, and stress.
We don’t spend a lot of time on things that aren’t that critical. Nor do we dwell on concepts like mission, vision, and values. Those are certainly important things to have. We can take a look at the existing concepts, and allot a reasonable amount of time to spend on them. We have some unique tools to drastically shorten the time needed to come up with mission and vision statements.
The meetings are focused, on-agenda, on-task, engaging, and participatory, allowing for quality discussion and involvement with everyone in the room. Our meetings don’t drag on. I’m somewhat of a nice task-manager! However, we have amazing discussions that are satisfying with very productive outcomes, and have fun together!
…Rob
There are two other problems we’ve heard from executives about Strategic Planning. Read about these issues by clicking the links below or on the website.
- Problem #1 – The Strategic Plan sits on a shelf, gathers dust, and implementation is ineffective.
- Problem #3 – People often don’t ask (or answer) the tough questions in strategic planning sessions.
To learn more –
- click here to download our Strategic Planning Assessment Tool
- call Rob at (513)772-5115
- use our contact form
- or schedule a meeting with me.