The best strategies are simple; make them too complex and they will fail because no one will follow them.
To begin, you need to define a clear destination; what are you trying to accomplish and where will you be when you arrive? The strategic plan will help you identify the significant milestones you will achieve along the way to your final destination. Knowing your final destination has been defined, and key milestones identified along the way allows you to focus on shorter-term goals and keeps you from over-planning.
This is the point from which to start. As you reach the first milestone, you can take stock and assess your progress and review your end destination. This is when you can make necessary adjustments based on progress to-date and any changes in the dynamics related to our goals.
As you develop your strategies, keep in mind your organization’s and team’s strengths, identify the resources you will need that you don’t already possess, and prepare accordingly. You might look at it this way, using a “quadrant” view…draw a box on a flip chart or white board, with four break-out areas.
Top left: What are your organization’s vision, goals, and values?
Top right: What are your organization’s strengths?
Bottom left: What problem or opportunity is your organization currently facing?
Bottom right: What assets (time, capital, and talent) are you willing to commit to your pursuit of the goal?
For this particular opportunity, develop a clear objective, answer the questions, and map out three to five mile markers that you will hit along the journey.
Now, schedule the first step towards reaching the first milestone.
