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Achieving Competitive Advantage through Collaboration with Key Customers and Suppliers
An Evolving Operational Focus
In the past when companies pondered corporate strategy,
operations had been peripheral to the discussion. Operations
were considered a technical matter with one way of doing things
and therefore not,...
Affluent Turn Cautious in Outlook for Personal Spending and the Economy
The Affluent Market Tracking Study #8, the just released Fall
2005 report in a continuing series of twice-yearly surveys by
The American Affluence Research Center (AARC), reveals several
important changes in the 12- month economic outlook and...
Book Summary: Mind Your Own Business
This article is based on the following book:
Mind Your Own Business
A Maverick’s Guide to Business, Leadership and Life
Doubleday & Company, Inc., 2003
ISBN 0-385-50959-6
208 pages
A maverick is an independent person who will...
Survival Without Computers
I was slowed down when my computer crashed and I had no data, no
address book and not even my passwords to get back online. I
didn't think I was doing anything remarkable by bouncing back to
productivity even with this handicap for a week. But...
Three Planning Myths
Are you -- like 70% of business owners -- working without a plan? Here are three myths that need to be dispelled about strategic planning for small business. 1. It has to be formal -- Not so. The value of a strategic plan for your small business...
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Quality consulting major consumer products company
Organizational TQM Assessment The executive staff was trained on the key components of the Malcolm Baldridge criteria, and facilitated discussions that resulted in a baseline evaluation of the organization's TQM implementation. The Baldrige criteria, used as the basis for this evaluation, provided a focus for next year's operational plan.
Internal Operations Assessment Interviews were conducted with representatives of the most significant portions of the business to better understand and document the formal and informal operations of the company. This was instrumental in developing the Macro Process Interface Diagram, which provides a pictorial display of how the business operates and helps to address where improvements should be targeted. Interpreting the Diagram, we identified problems common to different business units, such as the Strategic Planning Integration process and the Communication of Business Strategies. Customer Needs Analysis A group of mid-to-upper level managers used available information about their clients, as well as their knowledge of the business, to build a matrix highlighting the most valuable information about their customer requirements. Through group discussions and review of available data, management then prioritized these needs based on several factors relevant to their business (Voice of the Customer). Next, the group developed a list of the core processes of the business, utilizing the Macro Process Interface diagram that was developed during the operational assessment. They analyzed the impact of these core processes on the customer requirements. This resulted in a concise demonstration of the correlation between the business functions and the achievement of critical customer needs. Finally, the group developed a list of current and approaching problems and opportunities focusing on the business perspective (Voice of the Business). This list considered internal factors as well as external influences. The problems were
prioritized based on importance and business strategy. A significant problem was the inability of different business units to leverage each other to develop new market opportunities. These three pieces of information: the Voice of the Customer, the Voice of the Business and the impact of the critical business functions on achieving customer satisfaction, are critical considerations in the further development of the strategy for improvement initiatives. The company culture had always been dictated by engineers and systems people with a high educational level and professional pride. Their main problem was meeting project deadlines and providing a user friendly environment to their customers. The company began to shift its focus and placed as much importance on the customer's need to be able to use the technology easily, as on the technical requirements. Customized Problem Solving Methodology Technical assistance was provided in the development of a customized problem-solving methodology. This included the tools and techniques used for identification and analysis of problems in a way that can best be assimilated by company employees. In addition to the technical aspects, the methodology also emphasizes the logic flow, the importance of the "right" data, the need for insightful analysis, the role of human behavior, and the criticality of proper follow-up. Employee Training Implementation of the Problem Solving Methodology included training the employees. Given their high educational level, it was critical to provide a concise, non-bureaucratic course, to gain the employee's acceptance. The training included a case study and a curriculum that provided the correct mix of group dynamics and technical training. The results were not only the ability to analyze problems and develop solutions, but also an improved management competence to "sell" and obtain executive approval of their ideas.
About the Author
Managing Partner, Management Resourecs, Inc.
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Strategic Planning (in nonprofit or for-profit organizations) |
Adapted from the Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation. ... First, a Point About For-Profit and Nonprofit Strategic Planning ... |
www.managementhelp.org |
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Basic Description of Strategic Planning (including key terms to know) |
Adapted from the Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation. ... Strategic planning often includes use of several key terms. ... |
www.managementhelp.org |
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Strategic Planning, Strategic Plan, Business Strategy, Strategic ... |
Strategic planning advice with free strategic planner & sample strategic plan covering mission statement, SWOT analysis with business plan software for cash ... |
www.planware.org |
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Strategic Planning |
FAQs regarding strategic planning - geared primarily toward non-profit organizations but with enough detail and general information to provide useful ... |
www.allianceonline.org |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
Strategic Planning · Fundraising · Financial Management · Risk Management · Credit Card Acceptance. The FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) listed on this ... |
www.allianceonline.org |
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Strategic planning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Strategic planning involves defining objectives and developing ... Strategic planning uses "the big picture" to pursue large scale, long term objectives. ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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08/26/96 STRATEGIC PLANNING |
You guessed it: strategic planning. Suddenly, the idea of rising above the ... But if strategic planning is back with a vengeance, it's also back with a ... |
www.businessweek.com |
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Dr. Strategy - Dr. Pete Johnson, Keynote Speaker, Marketing ... |
StrategicPlanning.com “Turning Change Into A Competitive Advantage”. Dr. Pete's Preview Video Click Here. Take-Away Value Sample Program Handouts ... |
strategicplanning.com |
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Strategic Planning Society: Strategy Development and Implementation |
Strategic Planning Society: Strategy Development and Implementation. |
www.sps.org.uk |
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Guide 7 |
Strategic Planning in Smaller Nonprofit Organizations ... In short, as a result of a strategic planning process, an organization will have a clearer idea of ... |
www.wmich.edu |
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STRATEGIC PLANNING MANUAL |
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML |
Your browser may not have a PDF reader available. Google recommends visiting our text version of this document. |
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BPubs.com: Strategic Planning & Business Planning Articles |
Business Publications related to Corporate Strategic Planning. |
www.bpubs.com |
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Strategic Planning Tools |
Strategic Planning is a method for positioning an organization to take ... A strategic planning process incorporates an in-depth planning model that takes ... |
www.nsba.org |
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Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc. |
The Center for Simplified Strategic Planning offers training, seminars, consulting, speakers, workshops, a book and a newsletter on strategic management for ... |
www.cssp.com |
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LEADERSHIP: Strategic Planning and Strategic Management |
Introduction: Is strategic planning really worth it? ... The purpose of strategic planning is to encourage thinking about your organization's "big ... |
vskn.ca |
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The CEO Refresher Archives - Strategic Planning |
When done right, the integrated strategic planning process can take a ... Strategic Planning and Project Management: The Key to Successful Implementation ... |
www.refresher.com |
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HEFCE : Publications : 2000 : 00/24 - Strategic planning in higher ... |
This guide reviews good practice in strategic planning in higher education (HE). It originated in a consultation exercise which we held in 1998 to review ... |
www.hefce.ac.uk |
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The Association for Strategic Planning |
The Association for Strategic Planning (ASP), is a non-profit professional society whose mission is to enable people and organizations to succeed through ... |
www.strategyplus.org |
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Amazon.com: Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A ... |
Amazon.com: Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A Practical Guide and Workbook: Books: Michael Allison,Jude Kaye by Michael Allison,Jude Kaye. |
www.amazon.com |
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Amazon.com: Simplified Strategic Planning: A No-Nonsense Guide for ... |
Amazon.com: Simplified Strategic Planning: A No-Nonsense Guide for Busy People Who Want Results Fast!: Books: Robert W. Bradford,Robert W. Bradford,J. Peter ... |
www.amazon.com |
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