Strategic Planning
It is within the strategic planning process that we bring to bear all of my strategic knowledge and experience, an understanding of team dynamics, and my ability to create a collaborative atmosphere. I perform an analysis of your organization’s current position, the factors that may affect it in the future, the way the organization wants to position it self in the future, and the steps that need to be taken to accomplish the specific objectives that are established.
Strategic planning is a process that I have honed from my experience of working as a CEO. In developing competitive business strategy that creates value for constituents. My approach provides the framework for a customized process to meet clients' varying needs. Each client deserves a tailored approach for its individual needs. My process is a deliberate, participative approach that produces a powerful yet practical strategic road map, bridging where you are today with where you want to be in the future.
Because each organization is different, I never pretend to know all the answers. Instead, I begin by meeting the senior management team to get a comprehensive understanding of your company.
I believe the strategic planning process is as important as the plan itself. I am as passionate as you in creating and sustaining success for your company. As part of the strategic process, I become a member of your team, bringing an outside perspective of best practices, industry-wide trends, and innovative strategies. I will facilitate frank, open discussion throughout every phase and build consensus at every step. My interactive and participative approach promotes a sense of ownership and commitment as a shared vision and strategic road map are developed. A thoughtful, powerful yet practical strategic plan is created, and, along with that, you gain the intangibles of consensus, clarity, commitment, and focus.
My typical strategic planning process is organized into four phases:
Phase 1: Understand where you are today.
Working with your Board and/or senior management team, we candidly evaluate the company today with regard to business, operational and financial performance, customers, markets, competitors, and the like.
Phase 2: Envision what you want to be in the future.
Together we create a profile of the company in the future, agreeing on business concept, areas of excellence to cultivate, and products, customer segments, business lines and geographic markets to pursue or not pursue. Financial growth and profitability guidelines are also identified.
Phase 3: Map out how best to get there.
This phase is the development of a practical, strategic road map. I work side by side with your team in developing strategies and benchmarks or objectives for meaningful progress. Accountability and timing are key components to the road map, providing ownership and a prioritization of initiatives. Financial projections are also key components of the road map, taking into account your vision, strategic priorities, and milestones.
Phase 4: Engage employees in the journey.
Throughout this collaborative strategic process, it is critical to enroll the spirit, enthusiasm, and knowledge of employees, thereby increasing sense of ownership and buy-in. Often, I interview a cross section of employees at the start to obtain their input on strategic issues as well as opportunities. And, at the end of the process, I work with senior management in developing a plan for rolling out the plan and creating the necessary momentum that engages employees.
An ongoing process is critical to keep the plan alive. Obviously, the future holds both opportunities and risks, and there are limits to foresight. There will be a need to periodically modify plans for the future development of the organization to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. In fact, the very existence of a planning process should enable you to adapt more readily. I will work with you in determining the best approach for your bank in keeping the plan alive and ensuring the bank is on track to achieve its vision.
I am committed to our ongoing relationship. Even when our engagement has ended, our relationship does not. I want to know how you’re doing and stay in contact throughout the year. I have successfully executed this process for with great results.