Summary:

Strategic planning and strategic leadership styles vary just as the employees and business owners of companies involved in the planning process vary.

Today, more than ever, the ability to gain instant access to news and information has changed the way many companies do business. However, the necessary skills to effectively manage others has not changed that much. Today’s work force is much less tolerant of bullying by management, and instead are looking for qualified and genuine leaders to work for.

Strategic planning seeks to answer the questions where are we, where do we want to be, and how are we going to get there. When deciding on strategic goals, keep it lean with only one to three goals as this will help keep the plan uncluttered and focused.

Next, come up with a tactical plan that easily translates into daily or weekly tasks. that chip away at the completion of key goals. This step also requires developing a budget to allocate the necessary resources.

Article Quote:

“Strategic planning isn’t just for corporations. Small businesses, even a sole proprietor, benefit from making strategic plans on an annual basis.”

Link: http://www.ilabstech.com/info-blog/strategic-leadership-focuses-your-strategic-planning.html

To insure companies meet their goals, strategic planners include responsibilities, timelines and accountability in the mission statement. Change within the organization is often met with some type of resistance. Therefore, present the plan with clear expectations of each individual so they understand their role in bringing the plan to reality.

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

Summary:

Although thinking strategically and planning strategically are two different concepts, they are quite interrelated and complementary. Planning strategically involves a systematic programming of pre-identified strategies and thinking strategically involves a more integrated perspective of the organization.

When thinking strategically, it is not the specific details of the future that is needed; instead, one must only have an idea of what the future will be. Additionally, through strategic thinking, executives, managers, and supervisors are able to understand that there is a link between change and strategy. This helps to understand that identifying new strategic options and then needing to implement them successfully can become quite a challenge.

Article Quote:

“Strategic thinking can be explained through seven dimensions. These seven dimensions are as follows: vision of the future, strategic formulation and implementation, managerial role in making strategies, control, managerial role in implementation, strategy making, and process and outcome.”

Link: http://becomingwhoyouwanttobe.com/2010/03/a-closer-look-at-strategic-thinking/

Implementing strategy is often constrained by resistance to change within the organization. People are comfortable with what they know and the processes that are already in place. Shaking up the comfort level with a new direction for the company poses quite a challenge for leadership.

Leadership first needs to be committed to the plan if they expect others to get behind it. Next, delivery of the plan should include clearly defined objectives, broken down into actionable tasks that easily integrate into daily to-do’s. This allows individuals to not only understand the strategic goals, but also their part in bringing the plan to action, also increasing accountability.

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