office (206)
972-4548
fax (480) 272-9125
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many unknowns in the planning process. The purpose of Strategic Planning to to uncover the everyday forces that act on our businesses and to find the leverage points that make them a positive force rather than an obstacle to overcome.
Q: How is Strategic Planning different
from my annual business planning?
A: Strategic Planning is all about insuring you have a clear VISION
of your companies goals and objectives so operationally you can plan
for leveraging the markets behavior rather than adjusting for it.
Q: How often should a company engage in
Strategic Planning?
A: Strategic Planning involves an assessment of the current and
projected conditions surrounding your business. In some
markets, the conditions are extremely dynamic and may need reviewed
and assessed annually while other markets of times may be less
dynamic allowing long-term strategies to be valid for longer periods
of time. The scenarios developed during the planning period
should always be reviewed to insure the basic assumptions remain
valid.
Q: Why would I need Strategic Outlooks?
A: It's difficult to look over the horizon from the deck of
your companies ship. Planning professionals are experienced in
decoding the markets behavior from a vantage point that is not
encumbered by daily events and near-term quotas.
Q: What is your process?
A: We review your companies current
standing
Provide a functional model
reflecting your business
Conduct a Planning Retreat
Create a report that includes the
developed scenarios
Follow On:
Assist in developing an operation plan that is in alignment with the strategic planning.
Q: How do I get started?
A: Call Strategic Outlooks for a free consultation.
After completion of the one to two hour session, we'll recommend how
you may benefit from our planning expertise.
Q: How long does a planning retreat take?
A: A company should allow 2½ days to fully vet
the opportunities, market behaviors and barriers confronting
them. The process can be compressed but generally eliminates
the exploration of some factors that may be critical in the long
run.
Related resources
- 8 major errors made during strategic planning
Strategic Outlooks - Art of the Long View by Peter Schwartz
- Real-Time Strategy by Perry
- The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge
- Boards that Make a Difference by John Carver
- The Discipline of Market Leaders by Michael Treacy & Fred Wiersema