- Strategic planning starts with a mission statement, which reflects the company goals and vision. It address such questions as: What is the purpose of the company? What service do you wish to provide? How you want to provide it? More is often less when it comes to mission statements. Complicated run-on sentences. for example, are confusing.
- To understand the strategic direction of a business, you must know the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. What is right about your business and what can be improved? Perhaps you have excellent internal communications, but are lacking in customer service. This means there's an opportunity to improve your customer service, which is especially important if your primary competitor is known for its strong performance in that area.
- When planning goals, use Frederick Nickols' "Goals Grid." For each goal, ask the questions "Do we have it?" and "Do we really want it?" If the answer is yes to both questions, continue your efforts to maintain the goal. If you answer no to the first question and yes to the second, this is a goal that your company should pursue. If the answer is no to both questions, then the goal can be eliminated.
- Action steps help determine how to achieve your goals. Detail the plans needed for training, communications, marketing, advertising and any other facets required to reach your objectives. After detailing the action steps, put your plan in motion and review it along the way. Make changes and correct your course as needed to succeed.
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