Strategic Thinking and Planning: Creating Your Own Future!

The Value of Strategic Thinking and Planning

We believe that every organization can benefit from a strategic plan. The value of a plan lies in both the discipline it brings by systematically guiding deep reflections about the organization's future and the forces influencing that future — and in the resulting roadmap that charts a path into that future. The formal step-by-step process of identifying the organization's core purpose or ideology, assessing the complex environment in which it operates, and defining the methods it will use to fulfill this purpose can be a healthy and cathartic exercise that gets the organization to ask the big questions.

By itself, however, the strategic plan isn't enough. Developing strategic thinking is just as important as developing a strategic plan — if not even more important.

Since 1987, Russell Consulting has enabled its clients to strengthen their strategic thinking capacities, envision an ideal future for their company, and develop strategic plans to help them achieve this vision. Click here (or on the graphic to the left) for our Guide to Strategic Planning.

Our approach to strategic thinking and planning is captured in our most recent book, Strategic Planning Training. Click here to find out about this best-selling book published by ASTD Press, Strategic Planning Training.

We have summarized our approach to strategic planning in the newly published booklet: Strategic Planning 101 (ASTD Press, 2006). This short booklet offers a succinct summary of the key elements for developing a strategic plan and for developing strategic thinkers throughout your company. To order Strategic Planning 101, click here: Strategic Planning 101.

Contact us today at 608.274.4482 for a free consultation on the status of your strategic thinking and planning competencies and to explore the possibilities in creating your own destiny.

RCI's Strategic Planning Services

Contact RCI to discuss any of the following ways in which we can guide you in developing your strategic plan — and enable you to move closer toward your vision . . .

Strategic Planning Services	The Outcomes We Help Create for You
Guide executive leadership teams towards strategic decisions and actions	Clear strategic vision and direction for the organization
Facilitate “Future Search” conferences	Your diverse stakeholders - internal & external - discover areas of common ground and a shared vision of the future
Develop consensus on direction and action	A group or team with divergent perspectives discovers areas of common ground and reaches consensus around next steps for taking action
Apply systems thinking to organizational challenges	Problems are understood and addressed within a larger framework of cause-effect relationships
Facilitate organizational redesign and process reengineering	Organizational form will follow function and its processes will improve quality and create the greatest value for customers
Conduct stakeholder surveys, focus groups, and interviews	Diverse customers and stakeholders are identified and their perceptions of the organization and its products or services are quantified - which become key drivers of organizational thinking and planning

Training & Development Services	The Outcomes We Help Create for You
Strategic Planning & Goal Setting	Leaders, managers, and other staff have the skills and knowledge to actively participate in a meaningful strategic planning effort
Creating a Shared Vision	Leaders, managers, and other staff understand the role and importance of vision in moving towards the future and have the capacity to create a shared vision for the organization
Employee & Stakeholder Involvement in Organizational Planning	Leaders and managers learn methods for involving staff and other stakeholders in strategic planning efforts - which leads to a better plan and higher commitment to that plan

Contact RCI to discuss any of our consulting services or training programs further or to develop a customized training program for you in this practice area.

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voice: (608) 274-4482 | fax: (608) 274-1927
RCI@RussellConsultingInc.com

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there!"

— Anonymous

Click here or the graphic for our Guide to Strategic Planning

(Adobe Acrobat Reader Required).

"Control your destiny . . . or somebody else will!"

— Jack Welch, former CEO
General Electric