Planning Process Experience
In addition to work on specific strategy issues or decisions, we have
helped many companies install a strategic planning process. In recent
years, work of this type has focused mostly on redesigning clients'
existing processes. Following are some example projects.
- Installed strategic planning in the business units (SBUs) of one
of the largest U.S. conglomerates. Designed workbooks, the planning
calendar, and training programs. Taught in these training programs.
Coached 44 business units through their first year of the process, and
some for their second year also. Worked with upper management to
consolidate these plans into an integrated plan through the first two
years' cycles.
- Worked with this company in later years to enhance its planning
process in several ways, including contingency planning, a formal process
for scanning market trends and competitors' actions, and an assessment of
management relations within the SBUs.
- Implemented strategic planning at the corporate and business-unit
levels of a $1.5 billion foreign consumer products firm. Designed the
process, calendar, training programs, and coached many of the business
units through their first year's cycle. Worked with top management to
produce its first corporate strategic plan.
- Later worked with this same client to put in place a contingency
planning process.
- Guided a top-10 bank holding company in creating its first
strategic plan among Trust units, many of them recently acquired. Served
as facilitator and expert resource for the task force putting together
this plan.
- Participated as facilitator in the planning process of a large
Blue Cross plan, specifically to improve communication among senior
executives and upgrade the quality of the plan. The Board of Directors
praised the new openness in the plan and management's
presentation.
- Conducted a strategy retreat for the Board of a $2 billion
insurance company, part of which focused on the Board's role in strategic
planning. Suggested an annual Board calendar, key milestones for Board
review, and changes in Board meeting format. Two years later, a Director
said, "You should be really proud of the time you spent with us. It's
changed the way we do business."
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