“how to create a strategic plan” Reginald T. Hardaway, Sr., MS, Ed.D A useful and realistic strategic plan is a must for an organization or business to come together and function on the same page, motivated by the same goals and objectives. In considering a strategic plan, one should initially look at: 1. Governance – The laws of the nation, state, county and city 2. Equity – Fairness in distribution 3. Finance – Monies involved in the venture 4. Power – A distribution of power or empowerment 5. Quality – A mission statement that has quality as a part of its equation 6. Access: Leadership has to be accessible to its organization/business In creating your strategic plan, there are relevant and valuable questions that must be asked. The following are those questions: I. WHAT IS? In answering this question, one should consider the present state of the organization or business. For example: The Barak Obama Elementary School is a newly formed school that is presently in the organizational stage of operation. II. WHAT SHOULD BE? The Barak Obama Elementary School should be a total quality, student centered organization that places children first. The faculty and administration must be education and student
1
centered with a focus that provides a safe environment for all students to conduct total quality and challenging work that will also be evaluated by the students for its quality and value to their lives. III. IS THERE A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN QUESTIONS NUMBERS II AND I? If there is a discrepancy, there is a need to create a strategic plan for the desired objectives. If not, then, one can perform a quick fix. IV. IS THERE A QUICK FIX? Usually in creating a new organization/business or expanding one, there is a need for strategic planning and not a quick fix. A strategic plan will give the guidance and direction a newly formed or progressive organization needs. It gives one the opportunity to plan its goals and objectives for the birth and maturity of an organization. V. IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS OR OPPORTUNITIES There are many opportunities a newly formed or progressive organization/business can face. A few are listed below: 1. Limited startup capital (income) 2. Limited staff 3. Limited marketing and networking These are only a few of the possible needs facing a newly formed
2
or progressive organization/business. VI. ARE THERE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS? In order to prepare a solid and airtight strategic plan, one needs to look into alternative solutions. A few are listed below: 1. Borrow funds from a friend, family or retirement fund 2. Seek investors by selling 49 percent or less of the business and issuing shares of stock 3. Seek a line of credit from a bank. In so doing, a bank may desire financial statements, which could be an issue for newly formed or struggling organizations/businesses 4. Bring your children or family members in to work with you. Caution: this could cause serious family problems after your workday is over. 5. Create a more cost effective marketing plan by doing cold calling or by creating your own brochure. VII. WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY? It is important, but not paramount, to know what the experts say about your industry. In a school setting, it is valuable to know what Dr. William Glasser or Dr. Howard Garner says about quality in the classrooms and schools of America. In the business setting, one must consider individuals like Dr. Bill Deming and others. These people have been there and done that! WORK SMART.
3
The determination must be made as to if the alternatives are Grounded in research. If it is grounded in research, Dr. Stufflebeam’s model is an excellent means for evaluating the Organization’s progress. He uses the CIPPS model, which stands For CONTEXT, INPUT, PROCESS, PRODUCT and SUSTAINABILITY. VIII. FIELD TEST THE PLAN As an educational organization, this is where one looks at attitudes, achievements etc. as a business, this is where you seek investors, pull down pension funds, borrow from friends/family etc. CAUTION: MAKE SURE IF YOU ARE SEEKING INVESTORS, THAT YOUR INVESTORS ARE AWARE OF THE RISK INVOLVED IN LOSING THEIR INVESTMENT. MANY INDIVIDUALS DO NOT UNDERSTANDING THE INVESTMENT CONCEPT AND THE RISK INVOLVED IN LOSING THEIR FUNDS IF THE BUSINESS IS UNSUCCESSFUL. THIS IS NOT A LOAN, THIS IS AN INVESTMENT. If you are borrowing from individuals have a contract clear defining the transaction as a loan, the rate of return and the time period involved in the loan process. BE VERY CLEAR!
4
IX.
IMPLEMENT YOUR PROGRAM Give your plan time to work. Rome wasn’t built in a day or a week or maybe a year. Many businesses take up to three years to record a profit. As you implement, continue to evaluate and make the necessary changes. REMEMBER: To be successful, your mission cannot be making money or making enough money to buy a BMW or a twenty room house, YOUR FOCUS MUST BE (1) YOUR CUSTOMER, (2) HOW YOU CAN MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER! In doing this, you have the rare opportunity to be successful in your newly formed organization/business.
5