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Article by Steve Hancox, published in ChamberVision
(The Official publication of the Greater |
Building Organizational Effectiveness For a team to be effective in a highly competitive environment, everyone in the group must work together as a single entity. Working together effectively requires that everyone sees the vision, understands the goals, knows where the group is headed, how it intends to get there, and knows his or her individual role. Whether the group is a sports team, a commercial business or a non-profit organization, organizational effectiveness requires that each member understands and buys into the group's objectives, strategies and plans. That is what strategic management is all about. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about a strategic plan. Many managers see it as a stale, labor-intensive document that gets forgotten until it is time for the next update. Some see it as limiting; others complain that it is a distraction. These attitudes are due to the way many companies address strategic planning. A strategic plan is not a management document. It is a vital leadership tool. It is not a task that a CEO can delegate. The strategic plan is the leader’s vision of where the company is today, where it is going and how it will get there. Strategic management includes implementing the plan. Others, from within the company and from outside, can make a major contribution. The list of outsiders who could contribute ideas might include the company’s accountant, attorney, banker, directors and even certain customers and prospects. Their knowledge and perspectives of the company, its customers and competitors are invaluable. Strategic planning requires critical assessment, creativity, visioning and problem solving. A good strategic plan requires an intensive effort, but is well worth it. Even if yours is a one-person company, the formal process of writing a document and addressing each key area is sure to produce valuable insights and clearer thinking. If you have employees, the benefits are multiplied. As the CEO acquires ideas, perspectives and insights from the company’s employees (and others) and then shares the vision, everyone is able to pull together to create an effective organization. An effective organization is one that produces higher profits, increased sales, greater market share, improved customer satisfaction and enhanced employee morale. These are realistic expectations for the leader who takes the time to build and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for his or her business. |
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