Clearing Up The Myths About Strategic Thinking and Planning
Clearing Up The Myths About Strategic Thinking and Planning
By: J. Glenn Ebersole, Jr., Chief Executive of J. G. Ebersole Associates and The Renaissance Group™
I continue to be amazed at the amount of misinformation and the number of myths that exist about strategic thinking and planning. During my entire career, I have heard business owners, senior executives and not-for-profit board members and executive directors utter “mythical” statements about strategic thinking and planning. And I have observed that these same people truly believe that these myths are reality.
My purpose in writing this article is to share what I believe are the 5 biggest myths and also provide some insights into what I believe are the 5 biggest “realities” of strategic thinking and planning.
The #1 Myth: “Our company (organization) does not need a strategic plan.”
The #1 Reality: Every company and organization needs to develop strategic thinking and planning to guide its actions, especially in chaotic times.
The #2 Myth: “Strategic planning takes too much time and we must use our time to do our “real” work.”
The #2 Reality: By engaging in strategic thinking and planning, time will be saved and time will be used more efficiently and effectively. The effort will provide a system of accountability and evaluation of a company’s or organization’s effectiveness.
The #3 Myth: “A strategic plan is confidential.”
The #3 Reality: A copy of the strategic plan, which in my model includes vision and mission statements, a list of core values or guiding principles and lists of short term (less than 1 year) and long term (beyond 1 year) goals, MUST be presented and given to ALL employees.
The #4 Myth: “Strategic thinking & planning are events that only happen at retreats.”
The #4 Reality: Strategic thinking and planning are processes and need to be continuous.
The #5 Myth: “Our company (organization) can do everything on our own without any help in strategic thinking and planning.
The #5 Reality: “At best, it is extremely challenging and at worst is impossible to facilitate and participate in the same meeting. A trained facilitator is a very valuable asset and will resist the temptations to enter into the detailed tactical problem solving and go “off track” of the real purpose of the meeting.
Are you a believer in one or more of these myths about strategic thinking and planning? Or do you accept the realities? Please contact Glenn Ebersole at jgeprman@aol.com if you want to find out how to clear up the myths and get to the reality of the benefits of strategic thinking and planning to grow your business.
Clearing Up The Myths About Strategic Thinking and Planning - To learn more about this author, visit Glenn Ebersole's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
Clearing Up The Myths About Strategic Thinking and Planning
By: J. Glenn Ebersole, Jr., Chief Executive of J. G. Ebersole Associates and The Renaissance Group™
I continue to be amazed at the amount of misinformation and the number of myths that exist about strategic thinking and planning. During my entire career, I have heard business owners, senior executives and not-for-profit board members and executive directors utter “mythical” statements about strategic thinking and planning. And I have observed that these same people truly believe that these myths are reality.
My purpose in writing this article is to share what I believe are the 5 biggest myths and also provide some insights into what I believe are the 5 biggest “realities” of strategic thinking and planning.
The #1 Myth: “Our company (organization) does not need a strategic plan.”
The #1 Reality: Every company and organization needs to develop strategic thinking and planning to guide its actions, especially in chaotic times.
The #2 Myth: “Strategic planning takes too much time and we must use our time to do our “real” work.”
The #2 Reality: By engaging in strategic thinking and planning, time will be saved and time will be used more efficiently and effectively. The effort will provide a system of accountability and evaluation of a company’s or organization’s effectiveness.
The #3 Myth: “A strategic plan is confidential.”
The #3 Reality: A copy of the strategic plan, which in my model includes vision and mission statements, a list of core values or guiding principles and lists of short term (less than 1 year) and long term (beyond 1 year) goals, MUST be presented and given to ALL employees.
The #4 Myth: “Strategic thinking & planning are events that only happen at retreats.”
The #4 Reality: Strategic thinking and planning are processes and need to be continuous.
The #5 Myth: “Our company (organization) can do everything on our own without any help in strategic thinking and planning.
The #5 Reality: “At best, it is extremely challenging and at worst is impossible to facilitate and participate in the same meeting. A trained facilitator is a very valuable asset and will resist the temptations to enter into the detailed tactical problem solving and go “off track” of the real purpose of the meeting.
Are you a believer in one or more of these myths about strategic thinking and planning? Or do you accept the realities? Please contact Glenn Ebersole at jgeprman@aol.com if you want to find out how to clear up the myths and get to the reality of the benefits of strategic thinking and planning to grow your business.
Clearing Up The Myths About Strategic Thinking and Planning - To learn more about this author, visit Glenn Ebersole's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
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Joe DagerJoe Dager is President of Business901, a progressive coaching company providing no-nonsense direction in areas such as Lean Six Sigma Marketing and organized referral marketing. What others say: In the past 20 years, Joe and I have collaborated on many difficult issues. Joe’s ability to combine his expertise with “out of the box” thinking is unsurpassed. He has always delivered quickly, cost effectively and with ingenuity. A brilliant mind that is always a pleasure to work with.” - James R. If you want to learn more about Business901, start a conversation with us. We can be found @ Web/Blog: Business901.com Web/Blog: FundingYourNonprofit.com LinkedIn Profile Follow me on Twitter - Visit Joe Dager's Website |
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David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
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