2018-10-11 19:14
What will make strategic planning happen and keep people from getting mired in non-strategic activities? Even at the top of organizations, strategic planning seems to take a back seat… Read More
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Simplified Strategic Planning Blog
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changing threats
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finding strategic issues
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commitment crucial
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Center for Simplified Strategic Planning Blog includes insightful strategic planning articles, tips and Q&A
2018-10-04 18:51
Finding Strategic Issues that the team must resolve to produce an actionable Strategy is key in Simplified Strategic Planning We find Strategic Issues with multiple diagnostic exercises.&nbs&hell…Read More
2018-09-27 19:03
Rapidly Changing Competition There is one consistent message I hear from CEOs all over the world. Competition is tough and getting tougher. But what, exactly, does that mean?&nbs&hell…Read More
2018-09-20 18:35
Generic strategies differentiate you from your competitors One of the ways of thinking I’ve encountered in strategic planning is based upon the desire to make things easier. For… Read More
2018-09-14 15:01
Customers’ dimensions of value may be very different from ours Customers don’t look at us – or our products and services – in the same way we do. When we look a… Read More
2018-09-06 18:37
Is your company full of smart, passionate people, who have strong ideas about your business? Do they have trouble agreeing on a strategy and sticking to it? The problem is pretty simple:&nbs&hell…Read More
2018-08-30 20:02
Changing Threats to Opportunities can Lead to Game-Changing Innovation In strategic planning, we consider opportunities, and scary things, like threats. Some of the best innovations co… Read More
2018-08-23 19:18
Why is commitment crucial and how does an organization get and keep it? Commitment means that senior management and key personnel throughout the company buy-in to driving the company forward… Read More
2018-08-16 18:52
Price sensitive products – how can you differentiate? When you’re selling price sensitive products, find a way to add value, so your customers will pay a premium. Understan… Read More
2018-08-09 18:41
Being different is one of the keys to profitability, however, it is also one of the most feared strategies. Clearly, there are very few success stories about companies that behaved just like… Read More
2018-08-02 18:48
Implementation pitfalls are common in strategic planning. But why is this – and what can we do about it? We’ve noticed six very common issues that have hindered execution a… Read More
2018-07-26 18:40
Innovation Process In addition to creating an encouraging atmosphere, management must create some procedures to channel the innovation process. Although unstructured thoughts are necessary f… Read More
2018-07-19 18:25
Sources of Ideas First of all, earlier we have discussed how brainstorming sessions can be sources of ideas for the innovation process. However, where do the ideas that are brought out in th… Read More
2018-07-12 19:02
Challenge By setting forth a challenge to the appropriate people, top management will encourage innovation. Furthermore, without a challenge, there may be no drive to innovate and nothing to… Read More
2018-07-05 14:27
Beat the Competition Aircraft engines: how did GE beat the competition? Mohammad Ehteshami was faced with a seemingly impossible task. He needed to significantly increase t… Read More
2018-06-28 18:00
Internal communication is a key component of innovation The innovation process will be better when everyone understands the company goals and objectives. Additionally, internal communi… Read More
2018-06-21 18:23
A creative atmosphere fosters innovation. This is a cultural matter you must encourage and nurture, but it is not as simple as flipping a switch. One must set an environment that encourages… Read More
2018-06-14 15:40
Monitoring the Process If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll probably wind up somewhere else. Even with a clear implementation plan it’s possible to lose… Read More
2018-06-07 13:41
In developing our strategic plan, we spend significant time analyzing our market segments and our competition. There are other important factors which can affect our strategies, even our abi… Read More
2018-05-31 19:42
Plan the Dive, Dive the Plan The mantra of scuba divers describes one of the most important guidelines for conducting a safe and successful diving trip. In spite of the enjoyment that comes… Read More
2018-05-23 15:17
Strategic management: a sports analogy Imagine you are the head coach of a professional football team. You have just sent your captains onto the field to observe the coin toss f… Read More
2018-05-21 15:07
Differentiation builds dominance in your market. One of the fun things about working with so many different companies is the perspective you gain on different industries. Often t… Read More
2018-05-10 19:28
Successful strategic management involves three steps: Planning, Execution and Monitoring Developments & Progress. With strategic management, actions speak louder than words. … Read More
2018-05-03 15:08
Silo mentality causes conflict in an organization. Recently, a CEO approached me to discuss strategic planning. He recently became the CEO and found that his team was not working… Read More
2018-04-26 18:54
Organizations, large or small, are in continual need of strategic transformation. Control Your Destiny or Someone Else Will makes a major contribution to this management practice… Read More
2018-04-19 19:22
Succession planning for key personnel is an important part of good strategy. Succession planning becomes even more important when the person involved is an owner. Previousl… Read More
2018-04-12 15:29
In this post, we are discussing how buy-in helps align employees with strategy. Buy-in is one of the key steps in strategic alignment. Lets review how we get strategic align… Read More
2018-04-05 15:02
Focusing on a single strategic competency can be scary. There are two big reasons for this. The first is the basic struggle with focus – we often feel unsafe putting all of… Read More
Aligning Employees With Strategy: Building Support For The Strategic Plan – Third And Fourth Steps
2018-03-30 14:53
In this post, we are discussing how organizational structure helps align employees with strategy. Organizational structure is one of the key steps in strategic alignment. Lets re… Read More
2018-03-21 17:00
What do you do when progress is slowing on your key strategic initiatives? Leaving your strategic planning session, your team was motivated to get the key strategic initiatives complet… Read More
Aligning Employees With Strategy: Building Support For The Strategic Plan – First And Second Steps
2018-03-14 19:27
In this series, we are discussing aligning employees with strategy. Lets review how we get this alignment. There are five basic steps that you must take to assure your employees… Read More
2018-03-08 20:31
Execution failure is the most frequent cause of strategy failure. Good execution makes all the difference in the strategic planning process. This article will show you the key to… Read More
2018-03-01 21:36
One of the most common difficulties companies face in strategic planning is turning their vision into a reality. To transform your organization into the one you envision takes more than grea… Read More
2018-02-22 19:56
Many – MANY times, when teaching Simplified Strategic Planning seminar, there will be attendees from non-profits. Many of them enjoy the seminar, take the tools from the workbook… Read More
2018-02-15 21:21
Review by M. Dana Baldwin
In a “should read” for leaders of most small to mid-sized businesses, Belasco and Stayer challenge today’s leaders to change their management styl… Read More
2018-02-08 16:15
Technology and Labor Trends
Author Denise Harrison
Is your company seeing these trends?
Many experienced workers are retiring from the workforce, often taking critical knowledge with them.
H… Read More
2018-02-02 20:37
Author Robert W. Bradford
Note: This post is the final in a series of posts from Robert Bradford’s article Aligning Departments with Strategy originally posted in Compa… Read More
2018-01-19 19:52
Author Robert W. Bradford
Note: This post is the second in a series of posts from Robert Bradford’s article Aligning Departments with Strategy originally posted in &hell…Read More
2018-01-19 19:52
By Robert Bradford
Strategic Planning ExpertRobert W. Bradford
Note: This post is the second in a series of posts from Robert Bradford’s article Aligning Departments with Yo… Read More
2018-01-15 16:07
By Dana Baldwin
Strategic Planning Expert
Why do we look at different ways to shoot ourselves in the foot? In other words, why do we look into what might be unintended consequences of… Read More
2018-01-05 21:27
Note: This post is the first in a series of posts from Robert Bradford’s article Strategic Alignment originally posted in Compass Points in November 2002. Pa… Read More
2018-01-05 21:27
By Robert Bradford
Note: This post is the first in a series of posts from Robert Bradford’s article Aligning Departments with Your Strategy originally posted in Co… Read More
2017-12-29 21:56
Compass Points Talks to:
Tapemark President, Bob Klas, Jr., and CEO, Jim Burmeister
Note: This article was originally published in Compass Points in April 1999.
TAPEMARK, loc… Read More
2017-12-22 18:55
By M. Dana Baldwin
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is part of a series of posts from Dana Baldwin’s article The Strategy of Succesion Planning originally post… Read More
2017-12-15 22:26
By M. Dana Baldwin
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is the first in a series of posts from Dana Baldwin’s article The Strategy of Succesion Planning originally… Read More
2017-12-08 22:49
By Robert W. Bradford
Strategic Planning ExpertRobert W. Bradford
Every so often, someone will refer to something we’re talking about in the strategic planning process and say “T… Read More
2017-12-01 19:57
By M. Dana Baldwin
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is the first in a series of posts from Dana Baldwin’s article The Strategy of Succesion Planning originally… Read More
2017-11-28 17:47
By M. Dana Baldwin
Note: This post is the first in a series of posts from Dana Baldwin’s article The Strategy of Succesion Planning originally posted in Compass Po… Read More
2017-11-28 17:47
By M. Dana Baldwin
Note: This post is the first in a series of posts from Dana Baldwin’s article The Strategy of Succesion Planning originally posted in Compass Po… Read More
2017-11-17 21:42
By Denise Harrison
Strategic Planning ExpertDenise Harrison
Note: This post is part of a series of posts from Denise A. Harrison’s article What happens When the Host Country… Read More
2017-11-10 18:39
By Denise Harrison
Strategic Planning ExpertDenise Harrison
Disciplined action is the key to your success – Jim Collins highlighted its importance in a recent speech. How c… Read More
2017-11-03 20:05
By Denise Harrison
Strategic Planning ExpertDenise Harrison
Note: This post is part of a series of posts from Denise A. Harrison’s article What happens When the Host Country… Read More
2017-10-27 18:44
By Denise A. Harrison
Note: This post is the first in a series of posts from Denise A. Harrison’s article What happens When the Host Country Environment Changes origina… Read More
Is There A Reason Why Your Team’s Good Ideas For New Products Or Services Don’t Get Implemented?
2017-10-20 15:00
M Dana Baldwin
Strategic Planning Expert
Does your organization have a tough time generating and implementing good opportunities for additional services or products? Is there a major r… Read More
2017-10-13 17:00
By Robert W. Bradford
Strategic Planning Expert Robert W. Bradford
Note: This article was first published in Compass Points in April 2003. The info is still relevant today, and i… Read More
2017-10-09 15:59
By Robert W. Bradford
Strategic Planning Expert Robert W. Bradford
One of the five key elements of getting better execution from your strategic planning is writing better objectives. I… Read More
2017-09-29 19:13
By Robert W. Bradford
Strategic Planning Expert Robert W. Bradford
Note: This article was first published in Compass Points in April 2003. The info is still relevant today, and i… Read More
2017-09-22 19:30
By Denise Harrison
Strategic Planning Expert Denise Harrison
Wells Fargo continues to reel from its fraudulent practice of opening accounts for consumers – unbeknownst to the consumer… Read More
2017-09-15 21:02
By Robert W. Bradford
Note: This article was first published in Compass Points in April 2003. The info is still relevant today, and it will be nostalgic reading the examples from… Read More
2017-09-08 16:08
M Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant
Strategic Planning Expert
Strategic planning is a key part of determining the future course and direction of your organization. Doing it well may be o… Read More
2017-09-01 15:28
by Robert W. Bradford
Note: This article was first published in Compass Points in April 2003. This is an introduction to a series from Bradford’s article The Easy way to In… Read More
2017-08-25 15:00
By Denise A. Harrison
Note: This article was previously published in Compass Points in October 1998.
Book Review:
Value Migration
How to Think Several Moves Ahead of the Competition
by… Read More
2017-08-18 19:16
By Robert W. Bradford
Strategic Planning Expert Robert W. Bradford
Some people tell me that they don’t see much benefit to differentiation in their markets. While there are place… Read More
2017-08-11 19:23
Thomas E. Ambler
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Tom Ambler’s article Strategic Issues: The Pivotal Process for Strategic Success&n&hell…Read More
2017-08-04 17:32
By Denise Harrison
Strategic Planning Expert Denise Harrison
“How do you balance worker safety and overall production goals?”, asked an audience member at the CEG SMART Man… Read More
2017-07-28 19:47
Thomas E. Ambler
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Tom Ambler’s article Strategic Issues: The Pivotal Process for Strategic Success&n&hell…Read More
2017-07-21 18:49
Thomas E. Ambler
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Tom Ambler’s article Strategic Issues: The Pivotal Process for Strategic Success&n&hell…Read More
2017-07-14 15:00
By M Dana Baldwin
Strategic Planning Expert
While many strategic planning efforts succeed in developing good, workable strategic plans, why is it that some never complete their work and neve… Read More
2017-07-07 20:24
Thomas E. Ambler, Senior Consultant
Strategic Planning Expert
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Tom Ambler’s article Strategic I… Read More
2017-06-30 15:00
Thomas E. Ambler, Senior Consultant
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Tom Ambler’s article Strategic Issues: The Pivotal Proces… Read More
2017-06-23 20:14
Thomas E. Ambler, Senior Consultant
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Tom Ambler’s article Strategic Issues: The Pivotal Process for… Read More
2017-06-16 19:05
By Robert W. Bradford, President and CEO
Strategic Planning ExpertRobert W. Bradford
Is it difficult to get your team onboard? When I started doing strategic planning, decades ag… Read More
2017-06-09 20:49
By Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Dana Baldwin’s article When Strategies Go Bad previously publish… Read More
2017-06-02 17:00
By Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Dana Baldwin’s article When Strategies Go Bad previously publish… Read More
2017-05-19 21:08
By Denise Harrison
Strategic Planning ExpertDenise Harrison
In 2014, Kazuo Hirai, Sony CEO, sought to rekindle the firm’s creativity. In the 20th century Son… Read More
2017-05-15 16:13
By Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Dana Baldwin’s article When Strategies Go Bad previously published in Comp… Read More
2017-05-05 17:46
M Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant
Strategic Planning Expert
In 2012, a new CEO took the reins at McDonalds. During his three years of leadership, McDonalds lost market share and profit… Read More
2017-04-28 20:19
By Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant
Strategic Planning Expert
Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Dana Baldwin’s article When Strategies Go Bad previously published in Comp… Read More
2017-04-21 20:09
By Robert W. Bradford, President and CEO
Strategic Planning ExpertRobert W. Bradford
Market segmentation is a powerful tool. This isn’t just true for the marketing department, th… Read More
2017-04-14 20:36
By Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant Note: This post is a part of a series taken from Dana Baldwin’s article When Strategies Go Bad previously published in Compass Points in April 2… Read More
2017-04-07 18:02
By Denise Harrison Many senior executives struggle to define a consistent approach to strategic planning. How does it all fit together? What information is necessary? How d… Read More
2017-03-31 15:00
Denise Harrison Note: This article was previously published in Compass Points in October 2001. In 1996 Apple lost $816 million, but in 1997 they launched an initiative that was to trans… Read More
2017-03-24 19:16
By M Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant Trust is a key element in business relationships. Without trust, it can be much more difficult to get your people to engage effectively in your bus… Read More
2017-03-17 19:45
By Robert W. Bradford, President & CEO This post is part of a series taken from Robert Bradford’s article Understanding the Competitive Value of your Brand published in C… Read More
2017-03-10 16:00
By Robert W. Bradford, President & CEO One of the sticky problems most people face in strategic planning is execution. Over 80% of executives we survey in our seminars cite strateg… Read More
2017-03-03 16:00
By Robert W. Bradford, President & CEO This post is part of a series taken from Robert Bradford’s article Understanding the Competitive Value of your Brand published in C… Read More
2017-02-24 21:18
By Denise Harrison In today’s fast paced economy, we often find that executives think that they don’t have the time to reflect on their business. While quick decision-makin… Read More
2017-02-17 19:34
By Robert W. Bradford, President & CEO This post is part of a series taken from Robert Bradford’s article Understanding the Competitive Value of your Brand published in C… Read More
2017-02-10 21:17
M Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant While one could write reams on executive team building, and indeed, many have, much of what shakes out of a deep analysis of the subject results in the whol… Read More
2017-02-03 21:29
By Robert W. Bradford, President & CEO Brand IS a competitive advantage This post is part of a series taken from Robert Bradford’s article Understanding the Competitive Value… Read More
2017-01-27 19:27
By Robert W. Bradford, President & CEO This post is part of a series taken from Robert Bradford’s article Strategic Evaluation of Acquisition Targets published in Compass… Read More
2017-01-20 22:16
By Robert W. Bradford, President & CEO This post is part of a series taken from Robert Bradford’s article Strategic Evaluation of Acquisition Targets published in Compass… Read More
2017-01-13 18:01
By Robert W. Bradford Opportunities are one of the three core elements of value creation in strategic management. Unfortunately, most companies struggle with opportunities, because the… Read More
2017-01-06 19:52
By M. Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant This post is part of a series taken from M. Dana Baldwin’s article Marketing: A Key to Long Term Success published in Compass Points February… Read More
2016-12-30 19:55
By M. Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant This post is part of a series taken from M. Dana Baldwin’s article Marketing: A Key to Long Term Success published in Compass Points February… Read More
2016-12-22 20:41
By M. Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant This post is part of a series taken from M. Dana Baldwin’s article Marketing: A Key to Long Term Success published in Compass Points February… Read More
2016-12-16 21:52
By M. Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant This post is part of a series taken from M. Dana Baldwin’s article Marketing: A Key to Long Term Success published in Compass Points February… Read More
2016-12-09 20:01
By Denise Harrison Fitbit’s personal activity tracking device started with simple functionality – tracking steps taken during a day – now added functionality includes a hea… Read More
2016-12-02 19:03
By M. Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant This post is part of a series taken from M. Dana Baldwin’s article Marketing: A Key to Long Term Success published in Compass Points February… Read More
2016-11-25 20:40
By M. Dana Baldwin, Senior Consultant This post is part of a series taken from M. Dana Baldwin’s article Marketing: A Key to Long Term Success published in Compass Points February… Read More
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