Setting the Course: A General Manager's Guide to Strategic Planning in Small to Medium Sized Companies
Navigating the waters of strategic planning can feel like steering a ship in a storm, especially for General Managers in small to medium-sized companies. This blog post aims to throw you a lifeline - it's just for laughs, don't take it too seriously, I’m not really tossing rope your way!
The Challenge
The difficulty often lies in the sheer diversity of responsibilities. A General Manager's role in a smaller setup usually dips into operations, finance, marketing, and human resources.
Strategic Planning: The First Step Towards Success
Effective strategic planning is akin to laying a solid anchorage in the midst of the storm. You can't control the weather, but at least you’ll have a safe place to dock. See what I did there? I’m knot kidding you!
So, what exactly is Strategic Planning?
This is a comprehensive process that gives direction and action to a company to achieve its goals. This includes SWOT analysis, market research, defining company vision and mission, setting objectives, planning initiatives, and determining KPIs.
Tips and Tools
- Foresight: Foresight is about planning for the future. Software tools like SWAT or specific industry tools can help with this. Remember, 'Failing to plan is planning to fail'. Who said that? None other than Benjamin Franklin!
- Cooperation: Encourage a collaborative culture. Include key team members in the process and consider their perspectives. Regular brainstorming sessions can generate ideas that may be the game-changers for your company.
- Flexibility: Be fluid and adaptable. Don't be like the ship that set sail in a hurricane because the itinerary said so! Use software tools like Trello for project management to easily adjust the strategy in response to changes.
Final Thoughts
Strategic planning, like steering a ship, isn't just about the destination. It's about the journey. With the right tools, team, and insight, you can change the course of the storm. In the words of Winston Churchill - 'Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.'
References
[1] Management Study Guide - Strategic Planning, 2019.
[2] Benjamin Franklin - Wisdom Quotes, 1759.
[3] Winston Churchill - Wisdom Quotes, 1955.
