Strategic Planning Articles

Business » Strategic Planning | By Jack Deal @ Monday, 10th March 2008 @ 2:41 AM

Growth is what it is all about. Companies that do not grow do not make money. There is a direct correlation between growth and making money. Historically growth has most often been expensive and somewhat illusory hence the willingness to accept as much growth as fast as possible. Anyone that has ever tried to grow a stagnating business knows how hard getting any growth can be so few can resist the lure of fast growth. But there negatives associated with fast growth... more...

Business » Strategic Planning | By Ingrid Cliff @ Monday, 10th March 2008 @ 12:42 AM

Let me take you back a few years to my government days, when I was head of the Corporate Development team within a peak government department. One of the areas my team looked after was Strategic and Business Planning for the department and all of the little units within the department. Now at that time the department was renowned for its planning. They loved having other departments take time to plan their strategies, projects and priorities. They created massive guideline manuals that m... more...

Business » Strategic Planning | By Donald Mitchell @ Friday, 7th March 2008 @ 3:39 PM

Spreadsheet software programs often cause more harm than good. Why do I say that? They give people the false sense that they can project a profitable future just by putting a few numbers in place. You can look at beautiful patterns of growth that rise smoothly into the future. Who wouldn\'t feel more confident after seeing such projected success? But what do those few numbers reflect? Naturally, they imply what future conditions and performance will be. Yet most of us cannot s... more...

Business » Strategic Planning | By Donald Mitchell @ Friday, 7th March 2008 @ 3:35 PM

When business conditions turn negative, take a deep breath and relax. Most circumstances are not nearly as threatening as they first appear. When dealing with the defensive postures that arise in an irresistible-force situation, a good first step is to ask how the changed circumstances could be turned into a benefit. For example, a source of any budget shortfall anxiety is usually concern that bonuses and stock options would be decimated. Talking to your investors about the new circu... more...

Business » Strategic Planning | By Ambar Hamid @ Friday, 7th March 2008 @ 3:33 AM

Many people hesitate when it comes to seminars, events and conferences. It could be that people are experiencing time constraints, inability to travel or monetary issues. It could also be that they have tried all the seminars, the gadgets, the CDs, and the books and still they haven\'t reached the success or wealth they want. The primary reason why most people fail to achieve anything after an event is all due to not taking consistent and persistent action. Most people just simply fa... more...

Business » Strategic Planning | By Donald Mitchell @ Friday, 7th March 2008 @ 2:37 AM

Read annual reports after a company has a bad year, and you will usually see a report from the CEO that describes a company that worked correctly and hard but was victimized by \"temporary conditions.\" The CEO will then indicate optimism that those conditions will soon leave and performance will improve. When you read the next year\'s annual report, it may repeat the same mantra. Come back after a few more years, and a new CEO will be writing about new plans to help the comp... more...

Business » Strategic Planning | By Donald Mitchell @ Friday, 7th March 2008 @ 2:22 AM

Perhaps one of the most persistent forms of defensiveness is the sense that the enterprise is going in the right direction, but is just not executing that direction well enough. Beware the popular answer: Let\'s take the most direct route from here to there, and keep it simple. Here\'s why that route is dangerous: In the nineteenth century, wagon trains headed to California often experienced delays in crossing the Great Plains. Knowing that they must get through the Sierra Ne... more...

Business » Strategic Planning | By Donald Mitchell @ Friday, 7th March 2008 @ 2:20 AM

Many people cannot resist chocolates. Put chocolates anywhere near them, and the candy disappears like morning dew on a hot day. As a result, these people weigh a great deal more than they would like. What solution do most pursue? They keep chocolate out of their offices, homes, and cars. They also avoid walking near any parts of stores where chocolates are offered. Opportunities are even more addictive than chocolate. Opportunity is what dreams are made of, and few executi... more...

Business » Strategic Planning | By Craig Miller @ Thursday, 6th March 2008 @ 2:51 AM

The first step in your product \"funnel\" should NEVER be coaching. You want people to ask you for coaching. That\'s how you will never get any objections to your fees and can comfortably choose your ideal clients. What should your first step be? You could offer an e-book, an audio program, a membership site, a teleseminar, or any other product that creates the need for coaching and implementation support. As a coach I know how hard it is to run a business, coac... more...

Business » Strategic Planning | By Christine Kloser @ Sunday, 2nd March 2008 @ 8:56 AM

If you\"re like most creative entrepreneurs, the thought of writing a business plan is not the highest item on your priority list. You\'d rather explore new ideas, create products and services, develop a new speech, or work with your clients... than sit down and write a plan. But, to be successful in business, you need to have a plan in place. The good news is you don\'t have to write a formal (bank-friendly) business plan to keep your business on track. In fact, until re... more...