7 Simple Steps to the Strategic Planning Process! How you see the strategic planning process determines what you will get out of it! You can see it as boring (but necessary) planning you have to do… Or you can see it as one of the most powerful forces at your fingertips for creating impact and change! I’ve seen simple changes in strategy increase an organizations productivity by 400% in just two weeks! I’ve seen it transform the effectiveness, reach and impact of non‐profit organizations! I’ve seen it help a struggling organization grow into a flourishing organization in a handful of months! I don’t know of another force that rivals its power to create breakthrough results! My goal today is to give you a very simple, step by step process to harness the power of strategy for both you and your Lodge! The reward for a little time with this process is Profound! It changes organizations and futures! Whether you are thinking through these steps on your own or leading a team through them, remember strategy has the power to multiply your resources, change the game, and take your Lodge to the next level! So Let’s Get Started!
STEP ONE: WHERE ARE YOU NOW? In this step we take a look at the two major drivers of strategic planning: stuff that is happening now or, stuff we think is about to happen to our Lodge! This can be good stuff, but it’s usually not good stuff! Examples: our building is falling apart, nobody comes to Lodge anymore, members are dying faster than new guys are coming in, we are broke, and etc. So in step one we get clear on the problems, challenges and future dangers facing our Lodge. Then we narrow them down to those that will create the most immediate impact!
STEP TWO: WHAT’S THE VISION? While problems and challenges drive the need for strategic thinking, it is vision that drives the rest of the strategy process! Nothing happens until you have a vision! The more clear and compelling your vision, the more powerful and imaginative your strategy will be! The vision you craft in this step will act as the “North Star” to the rest of your strategic planning process! Your vision should include tangible targets like we plan to increase membership or we plan to be more visible in the community or we plan to improve our building and finances or all of these and more! This is just a primer to get you thinking about your vision! Your vision should also include intangibles like your values, culture, and purpose! What is a vision?