Leaders Plan.
In my 30-plus years in uniform, I learned a lot about planning, and the Strategic Plan is the highest level plan. That sounds daunting, and the larger the organization, the more complex it can become. Yes, culture eats strategy for breakfast, but you still need a strategy. It isn’t rocket surgery, and simplicity is favorable. So, I have about three minutes to provide you with some tips.
Fundamentally, a strategy is a plan to attain any goal. A strategy aligns ends, ways, means or vision and goals, plans and processes, resources and people in the military, business, and our personal lives. So, it follows that an organizational strategy aligns your organizational performance and resources with your vision.
There are Four Key Questions to form a Strategy:
What is our vision and end state, and on what goals will we measure our progress?If we have a vision, mission, and purpose, specific and measurable goals, we can make supporting plans to get where we want to go. Having done our AAR, we have the lessons and data to identify areas we need to refine.
What is our chosen field of battle?
What markets and areas will we operate in, and what will we avoid?
On that field, what is our bid for success, and how will we maneuver in defeating our competition?
What services or goods will we provide, and how will we do it to win?
What systems and capabilities do we need to win?
What processes, policies, technologies, and techniques are necessary for the chosen field, and how we’ve decided to compete?
As you answer each question, return to the previous question and verify that your answers are congruent. Now, this isn’t a linear process; it’s iterative. So, it is best to rough out solutions rather than refine one before ensuring all your answers align. Do this in several chunks rather than a single marathon event.
This week, look at your vision and current situation, and ask the most strategic question, what do we have to do to get to our vision; start!
If you’re stuck, set up a call at the link
https://calendly.com/tomconnally/claritycall
Remember, “all things are possible through prayer and heavy deadlifts.”™
