It is that time year again! We are working on several proposals to assist clients with creating, updating, or executing their strategic plans. Looking back over the last year, I've written a number of posts that include information or perspectives that may be of use to readers who are also starting the new year off with planning and goal setting. Click on the links below to learn more.
Our Approach and Philosophy
At Bonner Consulting, our planning philosophy, techniques, and the tools we use are based on years of experience working with nonprofits, small businesses, and as organizational leaders. Although every organization has unique objectives in planning, our approach can be successfully adapted to many different organization’s needs and situations. (read more and see a graphic of our planning process)
Seduction of Opportunity versus Clarity of Purpose
In our strategic planning work with organizations, we often find ourselves reminding the participants that Planning is not necessarily a synonym for growth. Scaling down activities (or eliminating them) may often be the most appropriate planning decision. Thus having the discipline to “do less”will lead to greater success. (read the blog post)
Creating an EXECUTABLE Strategic Plan
Creating the plan is often the easy part. Executing on the plan is where the hardest work begins. In this article we provide advice for ensuring your plan is executable.
Additionally, our experience has taught us that in order for a plan to be effectively executed this step is key: Once those high level corporate goals are in place and clear, they must be communicated to everyone as the basis for their own goals. The most common way for this to happen is through the process known as “cascading” goals. This cascade ensures that the high level strategy of the organization is translated into and reflected in the specific goals of each department, team, manager and individual employee.
How to Cascade Strategic Goals to all Employees
So how do you cascade goals? Well most of our clients first establish 3 year top level organizational goals (the strategic or operational plan), and then they break these down into a subset of goals for the first year. Next comes action plans for these first year goals where departments or indviduals are identifed to carry out some of the specific tactics.
Most organizations use their performance management systems to help establish the "line of site" from their strategic planning goals to each individual. Read more about how to establish individual goals here: Setting
Performance Goals for Yourself or Your Team
Our Approach and Philosophy
At Bonner Consulting, our planning philosophy, techniques, and the tools we use are based on years of experience working with nonprofits, small businesses, and as organizational leaders. Although every organization has unique objectives in planning, our approach can be successfully adapted to many different organization’s needs and situations. (read more and see a graphic of our planning process)
Seduction of Opportunity versus Clarity of Purpose
In our strategic planning work with organizations, we often find ourselves reminding the participants that Planning is not necessarily a synonym for growth. Scaling down activities (or eliminating them) may often be the most appropriate planning decision. Thus having the discipline to “do less”will lead to greater success. (read the blog post)
Creating an EXECUTABLE Strategic Plan
Creating the plan is often the easy part. Executing on the plan is where the hardest work begins. In this article we provide advice for ensuring your plan is executable.
Additionally, our experience has taught us that in order for a plan to be effectively executed this step is key: Once those high level corporate goals are in place and clear, they must be communicated to everyone as the basis for their own goals. The most common way for this to happen is through the process known as “cascading” goals. This cascade ensures that the high level strategy of the organization is translated into and reflected in the specific goals of each department, team, manager and individual employee.
How to Cascade Strategic Goals to all Employees
So how do you cascade goals? Well most of our clients first establish 3 year top level organizational goals (the strategic or operational plan), and then they break these down into a subset of goals for the first year. Next comes action plans for these first year goals where departments or indviduals are identifed to carry out some of the specific tactics.
Most organizations use their performance management systems to help establish the "line of site" from their strategic planning goals to each individual. Read more about how to establish individual goals here: Setting
Performance Goals for Yourself or Your Team
Hope this helps as you start on your strategic planning activities. Let us know if we can help in the planning process, organizational assessments, environmental scans, or with facilitating your internal discussions.
Leslie Bonner
leslie@bonner-consulting.com
412-427-7033
Leslie Bonner
leslie@bonner-consulting.com
412-427-7033