Successfully predicting the future is the signature criterion of every executive team.  Despite inherently challenging and interdependent environments, replete with incessant change, complicated by parochial stakeholders, while being measured by the ultimate dichotomy of success or failure, a company’s executives must be able to establish, leverage, and achieve the strategic plan.  The strategic advantage of executives articulating and attaining business goals cannot be overstated.

While research, analysis, insight, and decision making are the fuel of a strategic plan, leadership is the solitary quality responsible for steering the plan from onset, through the path, toward eventual success.  Company executives must confidently view strategic planning as a fluid on-going process, not a single annual event.  Within that perspective, the strategic plan dictates company direction, determines the key drivers and necessary adjustments, and distributes accountability in accordance with the desired destiny.

The content of the strategic plan must contain challenging goals that will transform the company into an advanced state; yet the context of the strategic plan must sincerely inspire employees to understand its intent, actively engage in its pursuit, and be recognized for accomplishing short-term goals indicating long-term success.  The certainty of developing such a strategic plan is likely to be increased through rigorous, honest, and creative examination of the following components:

  • The Vision Statement
  • Core Purpose and Values
  • Strategic Intent
  • Succession Planning
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Balanced Scorecard
  • Value Proposition
  • Gap Analysis
  • Boundary Spanners
  • Action Plans
  • Business Ethics
  • Organizational Politics
  • Communication Networks
  • Accountability

Leadership is a strategic advantage.  At its essence, executive leadership must craft a strategic plan that aligns people, processes, and performance capabilities of achieving business goals that will sustain company success.  Always have a strategic advantage. 

Steve Cesare Ph.D.

has more than 25 years of Human Resources experience. Prior to joining The Harvest Group, Steve worked with Bemus Landscape, Jack in the Box, the County of San Diego, Citicorp, and NASA. Steve earned his Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Old Dominion University, and has authored 68 human resources journal articles. As a member of The Harvest Group, Steve’s areas of expertise include: staffing, legal compliance, wage and hour issues, training, and employee safety.  Read Steve's full bio.

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