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“Seven Reasons Why You Need A Strategic Planning Facilitator, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach”
By: J. Glenn Ebersole, Jr., Chief Executive of J. G. Ebersole Associates and The Renaissance Group ™

A professional facilitator brings an independent and open-minded perspective to your strategic planning process. He or she will keep the discussion focused, keep the process on track, and will encourage team members to act as equals in the process. Some organizations choose to “go it alone” and attempt to conduct the strategic planning process entirely “in house.” In my own personal and professional experiences over more than 35 years, I have always witnessed better outcomes of the strategic planning process when an outside professional facilitator is brought in. In fact, many of my clients come to me AFTER they have tried and failed at doing the process themselves.

Okay, so when and why should you use a strategic planning facilitator? Your strategic thinking business coach offers the following advice to answer that question. Here are seven reasons why it is recommended that you hire an outside facilitator.

1. if you want to ensure a level playing field between the CEO and the team members. The outside facilitator has the skills to make sure the CEO does not take over and run the meeting.
2. If you want to increase the probability of a successful outcome. The facilitator has the experience of going through many of these and brings that experience to bear for your benefit.
3. If you want to complete the process in a timely manner. The facilitator will commit to making sure you finish the process in the time allotted to do so.
4. When you want to participate yourself. It is extremely difficult, if not possible,
for the CEO or other inside person to effectively facilitate because the other people will still react to the CEO or inside person as their superior.
5. When you need to address sensitive issues and conflicts. An outsider brings the benefit of a dispassionate perspective and can more effectively diffuse arguments and channel intense moments into problem solving moments.
6. When your team is not making any progress. The outside facilitator will raise issues that you may try to avoid and will point out the dysfunctional behaviors that are being denied.
7. When your group must address complex issues and diverging viewpoints. The experience of the facilitator will help to identify the issues, generate options to resolve issues, and make decisions.



If you would like to learn more about the importance of using an outside professional facilitator for your strategic planning efforts and how a strategic thinking business coach can serve as your guide and facilitator in that process, please contact Glenn Ebersole today through his website at www.businesscoach4u.com or by email at jgecoach@aol.com

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