When Strategizing, Use "Sanity Solution"

By Carter McNamara on May 21, 2010

Over the years, I’ve noticed that when things get really tough or it’s difficult to identify strategies during planning, there are always three strategies you can try.  My clients seem to love it when I describe the Solution to them.  Try it yourself. Strategy #1: Try Get More Resources? This is the most popular, but […]

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Should I Use Goals-Based or Issues-Based Planning?

By Carter McNamara on May 17, 2010

Far too often, organizations choose the wrong approach to strategic planning.  As a result, strategic plans sit untouched on shelves and planners become even more cynical about the strategic planning process.  This occurs especially with 1) new organizations, 2) organizations having many current issues, and 3) organizations having very limited resources.  Here’s how to fix […]

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Strategic Planning or Business Planning?

By Carter McNamara on May 10, 2010

It seems that the two phrases “strategic planning” and “business planning” are used interchangeably, much more than ever.  I believe it’s better to see the phrases as different than to generalize them as the same. Strategic Planning Should Be Organization-Wide Strategic planning is best viewed as clarifying the overall purpose and priorities of the organization.  […]

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Use Grand Vision and Strategic Vision in Strategic Planning

By Carter McNamara on May 2, 2010

A vision, during strategic planning, is depiction of the organization and its customers at some point in the future. Like mission statements, there are many different perspectives about what should be in a vision statement. Vision statements can depict the overall result sought by the organization.  They also can be used to inspire and motivate […]

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What’s the Real Purpose of Word-Smithing Mission Statements?

By Carter McNamara on April 28, 2010

It’s common that a client will want to start strategic planning with “updating the mission statement.”  After all, that’s what a lot of experts suggest.  Mission statements get a lot of attention from writers and consultants.  Many of them assert that the statements should be highly inspirational and easy-to-read.  They give examples of mission statements […]

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How to Start Strategic Planning: Do a Plan for a Plan – Part 5 of 5

By Carter McNamara on April 22, 2010

In Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this topic, we reviewed the first 12 of the 15 questions to be answered during the “plan for a plan” portion of strategic planning.  This Part 5 describes questions 13-15. 13.  How will you get buy-in of members of the organization? There seems to be growing cynicism […]

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How to Start Strategic Planning: Plan for a Plan – Part 4 of 5

By Carter McNamara on April 12, 2010

In the previous post (Part 3), we covered questions 7-9 of the 15 questions to address in the “plan for a plan.”  This post (Part 4) explains questions 10-12. 10.  What Materials Will Be Needed? For example, think about: Materials (books about strategic planning, flipcharts, markers, etc.) Equipment (overhead projectors, flipchart stands, white boards, etc.) […]

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How to Start Strategic Planning: Plan for a Plan – Part 3 of 5

By Carter McNamara on April 10, 2010

In the previous post (Part 2), we covered questions 4-6 of the 15 questions to address in the “plan for a plan.”  This post explains questions 7-9. 7.  What’s Your Schedule for Developing the Plan? Too many organizations do planning by gathering planners into one retreat where they tweak wording on the mission statement and […]

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How to Start Strategic Planning: Plan for a Plan – Part 2 of 5

By Carter McNamara on April 6, 2010

In Part 1, we reviewed the first 3 of the 15 questions that should be addressed during the “plan for a plan” phase of strategic planning.  In this Part 2, we review questions 4-6. 4.  What is the Scope of Our Plan? It’s not uncommon that leaders believe that a long-term plan will somehow guarantee […]

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How to Start Strategic Planning: Plan for a Plan – Part 1 of 5

By Carter McNamara on April 4, 2010

In this post, we’ll discuss one of the most important phases in strategic planning – a phase that far too often is forgotten, resulting in plans that sit untouched on shelves.  The plan for a plan should be developed by a Planning Committee and should answer 15 important questions — do this before the planners […]

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