Summary:

Not having a strategic plan is the equivalent to setting yourself up for failure, according to Debbie Seidel-Bittke, founder of Dental Practice Solutions. The new year is almost here and if you don’t have your annual strategic planning meeting on the calendar, now is the time to schedule it for you and the entire team. Seidel-Bittke uses the analogy of taking a journey to a new destination without a road map with beginning a new year of business without a strategic plan. She writes that

Get everyone involve in the planning so you have a diverse set of ideas for recognizing opportunities and threats.  Moving the plan outside of the office help in keeping the meeting fun. Addressing what has already been accomplished and what needs to be accomplished begins the path for planning objectives.

Article Quote:

“You can not start a business and proceed blindly and just expect that everything will work out and you will achieve great success. It rarely will happen that way. At the very beginning of each year you need to sit down outside the regular dental office atmosphere and make a plan.”

Link: http://www.dentalheroes.com/strategic-plan-dental-practice/

Before you develope a strategic plan, have a clear understanding of what your business’ vision and mission statements are. Keeping these directives at the forefront will keep the plan aligned with the purpose of the business. Implementing a strategic planning and execution software will keep the plan in the minds of every individual in the organization while allowing visibility on what tasks should be completed next, and by whom.

This cohesive approach keeps the plan active and lets management see if any corrective adjustments need to be made. No plan, strategic or otherwise should be set in stone. It needs to remain flexible so that changes can be made quickly.

For more on strategic planning, see http://www.performancesolutionstech.com/category/strategicplanning/

Summary:

In the past, most companies could get by with just strategic planning. Today’s changing markets demand more. Engage in strategic planning on a regular basis AND enhance the abilities to think strategically throughout the company. By doing this, your organization will become more flexible while increasing your ability to handle any new challenges that come your way.

Green gives several principles to follow to enhance the ability to think strategically. They involve overcoming the fear of failure; taking incremental steps; making a commitment so others will follow you; don’t wait for the ideal moment to execute your plan; being responsive; demonstrating resolve; and instilling teamwork.

Article Quote:

“Strategic thinking occurs when the entire organization begins to act in concert with the strategic plan. It involves teaching people at all levels of the organization to anticipate opportunities and threats while managing the day-to-day tasks that fall within their scope of responsibilities.”

Link: http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/2009/12/getting-others-to-think-strategically.html

When employees begin to think strategically, they become more responsive to changing customer needs. They become better at identifying potential threats, obstacles, and problem areas before they reach a critical point. They also become better problem solvers as they learn how their decisions and actions impact the business in the future as well as today. Furthermore, they become more involved with and more supportive of the overall strategic plan.

Getting everyone involved with the strategic plan should involve putting the plan in front of them on a daily basis. Prioritization of tasks, accountability, and follow-through increase when everyone has instant visibility on the who, what, and when in the organization.

For more on strategic planning, see http://www.performancesolutionstech.com/category/strategicplanning/