Strategic Planning

Many board members and executives believe that strategic planning happens during a retreat, where leaders meet intensively and come to connsensus on key questions such as mission, vision, values, and strategic direction/priorities/goals.  This is only partly correct, and a key reason why some planning processes are doomed to failure.

Good strategic planning includes a board retreat.  However, much strategic planning work goes into preparing for a board retreat.  Also, much strategic planning work follows a board retreat. 

A planning "process" that is, in fact, merely a board retreat, usually results in a written report that is put on a shelf to collect dust.  A board retreat isn't a "process;" it's an event -- an important event that should be an integral part of a larger process.  In fact, the written report isn't the key oucome ("deliverable") of successful planning.  The key outcome is the success of the process itself -- the success of the organization's leaders communication and consensus-building.  Building belief and consensus on mission and strategic direction takes a lot more time and communication than a retreat by itself can provide.

Don't shortchange your organization.  Preparation, communication, consensus-building, and execution are all keys to successful strategic planning.  Let us show you the way.