 Is it Spring yet?
That silly groundhog may have let us down, but
we're still determined to thaw our think tanks and
sprout some fresh ideas.
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| Energize your leadership
Before discussing a major issue in a group, ask each participant to write down the most important question they believe the group should address. Pool the questions in the middle of the table and have everyone select one and read it aloud. Before the end of the meeting, poll the group to make sure that all questions raised have been discussed.
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Chart your path
Always answer the following questions before tackling strategic planning:
1. What do we want to achieve as a result of the process? We've been delighted to see strategic planning strengthen relationships with stakeholders and reinvigorate board members.
2. What do we want the finished plan to look like? We like the plan to be concise, inspiring, and easy-to-update.
3. How will the plan will be used and distributed? Who needs to "approve" the final product and what are their expectations? Answers to these questions may affect question #2.
4. How will the plan be integrated into our organization's activities and kept up to date? We suggest including progress reports periodically on meeting agendas.
For help with your organization's strategic planning process, contact us. |
Ignite community support
Be sure to choose your spokespeople wisely, even when simply using a quotation on your website or in promotional materials. Identify individuals who are well-respected by members of your target audience. We like to call these people "key influencers" because others look to them for advice and guidance. Good examples can be the clergy, educators, health professionals, and volunteer leaders. Use a photo of the spokesperson whenever you can. People like to put a face with a name, and we all like to see a smile.
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