Strategic Thinking is an approach that includes first establishing a strategy for the organization then turning that plan into action or Strategic Development on both a day to day and longer term basis. 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 the steps required to establish an overall strategic plan for the business. Use the existing plan or create a new one that will serve as a tool for the business in decision making.
Take the lead in advocating for daily "strategic thinking" by not only yourself but for all employees in the business. The premise is that change occurs daily and having people encouraged to make adjustments that are aligned with the firm's overall goals will result in the best chance for ongoing success.
Create a design for the firm that includes the ability to respond quickly to needs for change thereby increasing the chance to take advantage of opportunities as they are presented
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 said that his challenge would be to make sure that whatever the result, the plan not end up in a file cabinet drawer somewhere and never be implemented. He was talking about the University of Washington but his challenge 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 has proven over time to be the most challenging phase of the process of moving toward strategic thinking. Reed has the experience to work with the owner and key staff in making the strategic plan happen. She can show how to start in with getting actions accomplished. This includes helping people in the organization adjust to change since implementing the action steps will change how the business works and how people do their jobs. The impact of implementing the plan will be increased productivity, better utilized facilities, 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 stays in place. The next step of "continuous review" really involves the owner and key employees moving to strategic thinking. This includes having every decision involve a broader picture review to include the broader elements of the business as well as the perceived specific impacts of the decision. Reed has extensive experience in helping people to learn to apply strategic thinking in daily work and throughout the organization.
Reference Accounts
Strategic Planning Process
Utilize Reed's facilitation services and a set of materials to work through the 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 which is to shift the entire team of people in the firm to strategic thinkers. This can include people in every role and can range from asking them to think of the entire firm's goals, operations, products and services when making decisions or 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 firm when making choices. Having this attitude permeate the firm will lead to much higher probabilities of success both long and short term. Reed has the experience and knowledge to help through this period when needed 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