This month’s theme is all about strategic planning – and how to do it so it actually works

It’s something so common, yet it’s still so misunderstood.   I could give basic templates and formulas, but I’m a true believer that GOOD strategic planning can make a huge impact.  And, it doesn’t have to just be organizations that do strategic planning.

I think departments and teams should have their own mini-strategic plans (it doesn’t have to be elaborate), but it sure can help make things be coherent and align everyone.

So here are 5 resources to help you and your organizations:

–Resource 1–

HBR Video: A Plan is not a Strategy

Strategy and planning aren’t the same.  So why do we keep putting those words together?  In this really interesting video, Roger Martin, former Dean of Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto shares the pitfalls of considering them the same and how strategy can actually beat planning.  In summary, it all comes down to a laser focus on outcomes, and not just the activities.

Watch the video here

–Resource 2–

Video: The Steps of the Strategic Planning Process in just 11 minutes

SME Strategy Consulting (no affiliation or connection here) puts out a really nice, tight video on the entire process that’s quick, easy to understand, and truly easy to start implementing.  It’s worth looking and if you’re just getting started, you can start here. 

Watch the video here

–Resource 3–

Book Recommendation: Mission Met

If you’re already familiar and experienced with strategic planning, you’ll know the planning is the easy part.  Implementing it and making it happen are the hard parts.  In this simple book, Eric Ryan shares through his experiences and work how to overcome the mistakes that nonprofits make in implementing strategic plans.  It’s a short read, but it’s truly packed with concrete, practical takeaways to help you both simplify and execute any strategic plan.

Check out the book here

–Resource 4–

Whitepaper: Overcoming barriers in strategic planning implementation

Funnily enough, I actually also published a whitepaper last year about this exact topic, the 3 most common barriers to strategic plan execution and the top 10 recommendations to overcome them.  For this paper, I interviewed current nonprofit leaders about what they’re seeing and found similar themes of: (1) Resource Constraints and an operational focus; (2) Engagement and Buy-in; and (3) External Pressures and lack of adaptability.  You can download the paper below and read the 10 recommendations to overcome these barriers:

Get the paper here

–Resource 5–

Resource: Causey App

Over the past year, multiple nonprofits have asked me about technology solutions to better help them track their strategic plans, activities, and progress.  Many organizations default to using Excel (at best – some don’t use anything at all), which is adequate, but not truly built for this kind of task.  Enter: The Causey App.  Again, I have no affiliation or connection to them, I just find their system a really simple, no frills software that can be easily picked up by the most technology-averse person and can make it easy to focus on getting things done.  If I recall correctly also, it’s a VERY affordable price.  

Learn more here

I’m hopeful that you found something useful here!  If you aren’t on my weekly newsletter where I go through difficult conversation tips weekly, you can get on the list here

Next month, I’m going to provide some resources on coaching employees – both for underperforming employees and employees looking to grow.

Cheers,

Chris

Linkedin | Instagram | Website

PS – Whenever you’re ready, I have 3 ways to help you:

1. Let’s connect >>  If you’re struggling with difficult conversations and relationships, let’s find time to connect.  I’d love to see how I might be able to support you.
2. Communication and Leadership Courses >> If you’re a manager/leader looking for strategies to be better at coaching your employees, or you struggle with difficult conversations, take a look at a few resources I have to support you to balance empathy and assertiveness and give feedback that gets results.
3. Podcast: The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations. >> If you’re interested in more ways to manage difficult conversations, I also have a podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube