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/

Summary:

The global economic meltdown demands a rethink of how we go about securing a competitive advantage, how we measure ourselves, what it is we need to be doing and why. Suddenly the old rules of the game simply imploded and many were left clinging the ‘plan’, formulated in the context of the ‘old rules’ but now utterly useless and irrelevant.

What is needed today is the ability to think strategically, according to this author. Furthermore, it is not just a select few within the organization that get to do the ‘thinking’, but rather the challenge is to get everybody thinking strategically, contributing a diversity otherwise lacking in today’s strategic planning process.

Article Quote:

“The problem is, we have forgotten how to think. Reliance on our ability to plan, and specifically on Porter’s conventional wisdom as to how best to go about the formulation of that plan, has produced ‘lazy thinking’ habits within executive teams and amongst leaders.  We have been so used to marching to a known tune, that when the tune changes, or the music stops altogether, we simply keep on marching in-step.”

Link: http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2009/12/03/back-to-the-future-rethinking-strategy/

Conventional wisdom has been shaken up by economic conditions and is forcing organizations to re-think how they develop their strategic plans. Getting everyone in the organisation- not just leadership – to actively participate in organizing and implementing the strategic plan creates an inclusive atmosphere, thereby adding to a sense of ownership in the company.

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