How Can I Keep Our Strategic Planning Process Simple?

Jun 20, 2017 | Strategic Planning, WBS

The most common question a strategic planning client asks is: “How can we keep this simple?” The question is being asked typically for one of two reasons: 1) They’ve experienced at least one long and painful planning process, or 2) They’ve never actually created an effective plan. So, though they realize there is a need to go through the strategic planning process, they’re lost as to how to do so simply and effectively. The key is to keep it concise, focused, and trackable. Keep Your Strategic...

Revise “And Any Other Duties As Assigned” to Change Your Culture

Apr 19, 2017 | Leadership Development, WBS

If you’ve been in management for any length of time, the phrase “And any other duties as assigned,” is one you know. Whenever I ask one of my audiences or leadership training teams, “What’s that line at the bottom of most position descriptions?” invariably the knowing participants start to chuckle and say, “And any other duties as assigned!” That phrase conveys feelings of power to many managers yet most don’t understand it or apply it correctly. That phrase, as defined by the U.S. Office of...

First Quarter Leadership

Feb 23, 2017 | Leadership Development

The calendar year is off to a great start. Sales are coming in faster than expected. Revenues are exceeding last year’s numbers, and the production schedule is full with the need for extended over-time becoming more of the norm than the exception. You must be doing things right. Right? Maybe. But then again, maybe not. You could be riding an economic wave that is simply pulling you along for the ride. As a leadership team, if you don’t know why you’re experiencing the success – or challenges –...

Is Your Focus Hurting Your Business?

Jul 26, 2016 | Strategic Planning

When was the last time you sat back and asked if what you are focusing on providing was actually hurting your business? What might you, your team, or your products be doing that is, in reality, wasting resources or killing sales? If you are focusing on what’s important to you instead of what your targeted customers want and need, you may be working really hard…and hurting your business in the process. If you’re not regularly listening to your customers about the challenges they are...

Pick. Pace. Perform.

Jun 22, 2016 | Strategic Planning

It’s been an incredibly busy time for my team and I recently as several clients are at some phase of their strategic planning efforts. Either they are gearing up for their planning retreats, they are working to implement their new plans, or they are identifying areas of their current plans that need modification. No matter which phase they are operating in, there is excitement, anxiousness, and yes, confusion. And, most of the excitement, anxiousness, and confusion are caused by the leaders....