Summary:

This author writes that research, contemplation, setting course, and communication are key elements when putting together your strategic plan. He suggests that one person or a small team should take the lead on collecting relevant market research, getting employee inputs on important issues, reviewing the 2009 annual plan and producing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis.

Next, sharing the market research with executives and allowing a few weeks time for the information to resonate before decisions are made will set the stage for open communication and collaboration in getting the strategic plan formulated.

Article Quote:

“A good annual operating plan can really bring an entire company together and get everyone pulling in the same direction for at least the first 6 months of the year.”

Link: http://www.seattle20.com/blog/Strategic-Planning-for-2010-is-a-must-start-now.aspx

Coming up with a strategic plan, and equally important - implementing it - can be a daunting task. Strategic planning technology assists with the process by providing greater collaboration tools. Additionally, using scenarios when making the plan will aid anticipation and response to the future. Having a plan in place when a scenario becomes reality lessens anxiety and will make it easier to deal with the threat or opportunity.

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