Strategic Thinking is an approach that includes first establishing a strategy for the organization then turning that plan into action for use in day to day decisions and longer term impact. Take your organization through the process of reviewing the existing overall strategy and goals, incorporate changes to reflect the discussion then make it happen.
Key Benefits
Receive experienced help to smoothly work through steps required to establish an overall strategic plan for the business. Use the existing plan or create a new one.
Take the lead in advocating for daily "strategic thinking" for all employees. Change occurs daily so people need encouragement to make adjustments that are aligned with overall goals, resulting in the best chance for ongoing success.
Take advantage of opportunities by incorporating strategic thinking.
Capabilities
Strategic Plan Development
Reed has worked with multiple clients to work through the strategic planning process. Will Gates Sr. once stood up at a discussion regarding strategic plans and challenged all to make sure the plan not end up in a file cabinet drawer somewhere and never be implemented. He was talking about the University of Washington. His observation holds true for all organizations. In fact, the planning process is very revealing, providing you with feedback from clients, employees, vendors. It also offers you the chance to take a snapshot of your business and to plan for improvements.
Strategic Plan Implementation
Implementing the plan is the most challenging phase of the process, including movement toward strategic thinking. Reed has the experience to work with the leaders and key staff to make the strategic plan happen. She assists with the human resource actions. Implementing the plan creates increased productivity, plus stronger products and services.
Strategic Thinking and Continuous Improvement
Once the majority of the plan has been put into place, there is further need to "stay on top" of insuring the plan happens. Strategic thinking involves buy in. This includes having every decision involve the broader picture as well as impact on the specifics. Reed has extensive experience in helping people to learn to apply strategic thinking in daily work and throughout the organization.
Strategic Planning Process
The process includes: defining the goals and mission of the firm; interviewing clients, vendors and employees to obtain feedback on specific questions; definition and review of existing products and services; development of clarity of goals, objectives tied to goals, and action steps tied to objectives. The action steps include a to do list, timeline, budget and outline of who will be responsible for each step or part of a step.
Strategic Plan Implementation
The point of natural resistance is change and implementing the plan will cause change. The key to strong implementation is having the entire team of people involved in the creating of the plan be the same people who then make it happen. Reed works with the group together and individually to insure the action steps occur and that adjustments are made during the process when needed. The owner and key leaders receive assistance in understanding how to shift the direction of the business.
Strategic Thinking and Continuous Improvement
Over a period of time which will be at least months and perhaps years, the strategic plan will be implemented, adjusted, implemented again. The key though is the broader impact, shifting the entire team to be strategic thinkers. This includes people in every role, by asking them to think of the overall company goals, operations, products and services when making decisions and to think about the impact in their area before making a decision. In every case, strategic thinking is about encouraging people to look at the best interests of the organization when making choices. Having this attitude permeate the firm will lead to much higher levels of success both long and short term. Reed has the experience and knowledge to help through this period to keep it on track and to help people understand why it matters.
"Teri provided the support I needed at crucial times during the growth of my company.With her excellent coaching skills she was able to guide me through a process that would have been intimidating without the structure she provided.We worked together to implement changes that empowered me, my company and my employees".Poppy Barach, President, Akimbo, Inc