Implementing the Strategic Plan:

Getting Companies to Walk the Talk

Presented by:

Wm. (Chip) Valutis, PhD

Principal, Valutis Consulting, Inc.

Strategic Planning

What it “should” be:

A continuous, systematic process in which people make decisions about intended future outcomes, how outcomes are to be accomplished, and how success is measured and evaluated.

1. A two day retreat that generates great ideas, but they are quickly overshadowed by the daily fires, political games, and/or employees who don’t want anything new/different when you return to work.

Strategic Planning

What it Often Becomes:

2. An edict from the President as to what people had better start doing if they expect the company to stay alive or intend to keep their jobs.

3. An interesting idea presented by some “guru” at a conference that will get filed under “Not Applicable to MY Business” as soon as you return to the office.

Strategic Planning

What it Often Becomes Cont’d:

Reasons Companies fail to                        Walk the Talk

1. Neglect to establish the prerequisites for change and planning.2. Lack of an integrated approach to planning3. Poor or incomplete planning process

Prerequisites for Successful Strategic Planning:

1. Awareness

2. Motivation

3. Ability

4. Opportunity

5. Feedback & Reward

Prerequisite #1: Build Awareness

• Will employees know the plan exists?

• Can they understand what it means?

• Can you ensure the plan clarifies the end, the beginning and the means?

• Are you prepared to link across levels?

Prerequisite #2: Check for Motivation

• Do employees care?

• Will Motivation be internally or externally generated?

• Are there consequences?

• Is motivation self-sustaining? If not, how can we keep it going?

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Prerequisite #3: Assess Abilities

• Can employees do what is expected of them?

• Is the raw talent available? Are the necessary skills trainable?

• Has the workforce/organization been prepared?

• Do systems support your efforts?

Prerequisite #4: Create Opportunities

• Are there opportunities to get involved?

• Is there appropriate influence in the planning process?

• Does your structure match or support the plan?

• Is initiative welcomed?• Are parameters known &

consistently followed?

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Prerequisite #5: Prepare to Provide Feedback &

Consequences• How are results measured and impact known?

• Is feedback accurate and is it valued?

• Do employees see a clear connection to results/rewards?

• Is there accountability?

Top Down Bottom UpCustomizedIntegration

An Integrated Approach

Positives Aspects of Top Down Planning:

• Provides a very focused effort

• Easier to control and implement

• Tends to fit existing paradigm/structure

• Can create faster results (survival needs)

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Negative Aspects of Top Down Planning:

• Limited buy-in, understanding or commitment from employees

• “It’s not my job” mindset

• Encourages employees to “check their brain at the door.”

• Builds unhealthy dependency on a select few; limits long-term growth

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Positive Aspects of Bottom Up Planning:

• Creates a sense of involvement and purpose

• Encourages responsibility, accountability and entrepreneurship

• Elicits citizenship behavior

• Stimulates innovation, creativity and change

Negative Aspects ofBottom Up Planning:

• Takes longer and often delivers inconsistent results

• Reduces accountability and consequences

• Creates a “warm fuzzy,” but not results

• Get bad decisions faster

Goals of Customized Integration

• Fits the needs of the business

• Fits the needs/abilities of the workforce

• Is adaptable to changes in both

• Promotes development & change

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Components of an Effective Strategic Planning Process

1. A Plan to Plan

2. Clear Mission, Purpose & Values

3. Ten-year Vision

4. Three-year Strategic Objectives

5. Annual Tactical Plan

6. Action Plans and Timetables

7. Roll-out, Monitor & Measure

Concluding Thoughts

• Successful planning requires preparation, commitment and discipline

• Plans are nothing - planning is everything

• Walk the talk

Valutis Consulting is a full service management consultant firm. Our approach is to investigae and understand organizational issues, customize realistic solutions, and design practical strategies to move clients toward their specific business and personal goals. Our mission is to help our clients unlock the potential of their organization and its people.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment to discuss your organization’s needs and how we can

help.

(716)634-2553 CHIP@VALUTISCONSULTING.COM

www.valutisconsulting.com - websitewww.the4thquarterman.com - blog