Measuring Up

Most organizations spend the majority of their energy and resources simply reacting to day-to-day events - literally “meandering” their way from point “A” to point “B”. Evaluating this method of accomplishing objectives has been described as evaluating a driver who is driving a car by only looking in the “rear view mirror”.

In comparison, if an organization establishes a Strategic Plan, its energy and resources will be expended toward achieving certain desired outcome(s) as stated in the goals of the Plan. The effort of establishing a Strategic Plan and creating such goals (otherwise known as a “baseline”) can be described as driving the car looking down the road through the windshield.

The value of a Strategic Plan can only be realized by measuring the organization’s results against its baseline plan and goals. Even if the results only achieve half of the desired goals, the organization is much further ahead because they are no longer simply reacting to day-to-day events - they are now a “learning organization” on a path to continuous improvement.

If you totally have to have every buck you can get in the door, you may need a very different Perspective™ regarding your strategy. Choices made today to generate those dollars will have instant and long-term affect on your business. Applying resources to some level of Strategic Planning right now will avoid the descending spiral of trying to be all things to all people as your company resumes expansion. Moreover, if your business model is truly broken, you have a very short window of opportunity in which you can entirely change it in order to continue growth in a new business atmosphere. “Survival Mode” = “Opportunity Mode” - There is no better time to look for strategic planning opportunities as your competitors make business choices based on fear and knee-jerk reactions.

While the concepts described above appear to be straightforward, putting them into practice requires desire, discipline, and structure. There is relatively little expense involved in measuring how your organization is performing today. Allyne Group uses the Perspective™ Maturity Model which identifies where on this model your organization is today in its capability for executing against a strategic plan. If you are still reading, the thoughts presented above must have struck a cord with you. ALLYNE Group processes are designed for every level of resource availability. If you are apprehensive about your ability to begin strategic planning or plan effectively in turbulent conditions, please contact us to find out how we can devise a schedule that will fit your state of affairs, and better prepare you for the future.

If you are unsatisfied about your ability to begin strategic planning or plan effectively in turbulent conditions, please contact us to find out how we can design a plan that will fit your needs, and better prepare you for the future.

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