Strategic Planning Explained

Strategy planning, at its core, is the process of defining a direction for a company and making decisions that pull the company in that direction. The decisions made once a strategic plan is mapped out are done so in line with the agreed upon strategy. Each decision is made with the strategy and the goal of the strategy in mind.

With that being said it is first important to have a firm understanding of several key components of the company in question before a strategy is mapped out. The mission statement and the morals and values of the company in question are the most important piece of the puzzle. These values and the mission will help guide the type of strategy chosen. It is also important to understand previous strategic planning, if any. Knowing what has or has not worked in the past is also an important stepping stone in planning a strategy for the future of the company.

There are several ways in which a strategic planning process can be mapped out but commonly businesses employ the “situation-target-proposal” approach to strategy planning. In this approach the planner or planners evaluate the situation. This includes gaining an understanding of the company’s current state and how it got there. Once that is done the planners employ the “target” phase. The target phase is used to define the objectives of the company. In short the target phase asks planners to envision the ideal state of the company. The proposal stage allows the planner to map out different paths that could, potentially, lead the company towards the “target” or the goals previously set up.
Once this process is completed most companies will evaluate each plan and its pros and cons. The most beneficial path is generally used and then instituted as the strategy for the company moving forward. The strategy is watched, analyzed and evaluated for effectiveness over a period of time. If the path is ineffective at bringing the company closer to the target the plan may be reevaluated and changed.

Strategy planning is not an exact science, nor is the paths always correct, however accurate analysis of the company and the objectives can help to ensure the most beneficial strategic plan is mapped out. Different businesses will, obviously, vary in their approach to strategic planning and the strategies that are chosen.

Motivation (Part 6)

Do it later. At times, it’s effective to save a task for later. For example, writing a résumé can wait until you’ve taken the time to analyze your job skills and map out your career goals. This not a lack of motivation – it’s planning.

When you do choose to do a task later, turn this decision into a promise. Estimate how long the task will take and schedule a specific date and time for it on your calendar.

Heed the message. Sometimes lack of motivation carries a message that’s worth heeding. An example is the student who majors in accounting but seizes every chance to be with children. His chronic reluctance to read accounting textbooks might not be a problem. Instead, it might reveal his desire to major in elementary education. His original career might have come from the belief that “real men don’t teach kindergarten.” In such cases, an apparent lack of motivation signals a deeper wisdom trying to get through.

Motivation (Part 5)

Adopt a model. One strategy for succeeding at any task is to hang around the masters. Find someone you consider successful and spend time with her. Observe this person and use her as a model for your own behaviour. You can “try on” this person’s actions and attitudes. Look for tools that feel right for you. This person can become a mentor for you.  

Compare the payoffs to the costs. Behaviours such as cramming for exams or neglecting exercise have payoffs. Cramming might give us more time that’s free of commitments. Neglecting exercise can give us more time to sleep.

One way to let go of such unwanted behaviours is first to celebrate them – even embrace them. We can openly acknowledge the payoffs.

Celebration can be especially powerful when we follow it up with the next step – determining the costs. For example, skipping a reading assignment can give you time to go to the movies. However, you might be unprepared for class and have twice as much to read the following week.

Maybe there is another way to get the payoff (going to the movies) without paying the cost (skipping the reading assignment). With some thoughtful weekly planning, you might choose to give up a few hours of television and end up with enough time to read the assignment and go to the movies.

Comparing the costs and benefits of any behaviour can fuel our motivation. We can choose new behaviours because they align with what we want most.

Motivation (Part 4)

Turn up the pressure. Sometimes motivation is a luxury. Pretend that the due date for your project has moved up one month, one week, or one day. Raising the stress level slightly can spur you into action. Then the issue of motivation seems beside the point, and meeting the due date moves to the forefront.

Turn down the pressure. The mere thought of starting a huge task can induce anxiety. To get past this feeling, turn down the pressure by taking “baby steps.” Divide a large project into small tasks. In 30 minutes or less you could preview a book, create a rough outline for a paper, or solve two or three math problems. Careful planning can help you discover many such steps to make a big job doable.  

Ask for support. Other people can become your allies in overcoming procrastination. For example, form a support group and declare what you intend to accomplish before each meeting. Then ask members to hold you accountable. If you want to begin exercising regularly, ask another person to walk with you three times weekly. People in support groups ranging from Alcoholics Anonymous to Weight Watchers know the power of strategy.

Motivation (Part 3)

Changing your mind – and your body. You can also get past discomfort by planting new thoughts in your mind or changing your physical stance. For example, instead of slumping in your chair, sit up straight or stand up. You can also get physically active by taking a short walk. Notice what happens to your discomfort.

Work with thoughts, also. Replace “I can’t stand this” with “I’ll feel great when this is done” or “Doing this will help me get something I want.”

Sweeten the task. Sometimes it’s just one aspect of a task that holds us back. We can stop procrastinating merely by changing that aspect. If distaste for our physical environment keeps us from studying, we can change that environment. Reading about social psychology might seem like a yawner when we’re alone in a dark corner of the house. Moving to a cheery, well-lit library can sweeten the task.

Talk about how bad it is. One way to get past negative attitudes is to take to an extreme. When faced with an unpleasant task, launch into a no-holds-barred gripe session. Pull out all the stops: “There’s no way I can start my income taxes now. This is terrible beyond words, as absolute disaster. This is a catastrophe of global proportions!” Griping taken this far can restore perspective. It shows how self-talk can turn inconveniences into crises.

Motivation (Part 2)

Befriend your discomfort. Sometimes keeping your words means doing a task you’d rather put off. The mere thought of doing laundry, reading a chapter in a statistics book, or proofreading a term paper can lead to discomfort. In the face of such discomfort, we can procrastinate. Or we can use this barrier as a means to get the job done.

Begin by investigating the discomfort. Notice the thoughts running through your head and speak them out loud: “I’d rather walk on a bed of coals than do this.” “This is the last thing I want to do right now.”

Also observe what’s happening with your body. For example, are you breathing faster or slower than usual? Is your breathing shallow or deep? Are your shoulders tight? Do you feel any tension in your stomach?

Once you’re in contact with your mind and body, stay with the discomfort a minutes longer. Don’t judge it as good or bad. Accepting the thoughts and body sensations robs them of power. They might still be there, but in time they can stop being a barrier for you.

Discomfort can be a gift – an opportunity to do valuable work on yourself. On the other side of discomfort lies mystery.

Motivation (Part 1)

In large part, this topic is about your motivation to succeed in life. And a First Step is creating motivation is getting some definition straight. The terms self-discipline, willpower, and motivation are often used to describe something missing in ourselves. Time after time we invoke these words to explain another person’s success – or our own shortcomings: “If I were more motivated, I’d get more involved in school.” “Of course she got an A. She is self-discipline.” “If I had more willpower, I’d lose weight.” It seems that certain people are born with lots of motivation, while others miss out on it.

An alternative is to stop assuming that motivation is mysterious, determined at birth, or hard to come by. Perhaps what we call motivation is something that you already possess – the ability to do a task even when you don’t feel like it. This is a habit that you can develop with practice. The following suggestions offer ways to do that.

Promise it. Motivation can come simply from being clear about your goals and acting on them. Say that you want to start a study group. You can commit yourself to inviting people and setting a time and place to meet. Promise your classmates that you will do this, and ask them to hold you accountable. Self-discipline, willpower, motivation – none of these mysterious characteristics needs to get in your way. Just make a promise and keep your word.