This page includes some notes relating to the strategic planning process, with links to some resources you may or may not find useful.

This page evolved out of requests stemming from a teleconference held on November 19, 2001, the purpose of which was to get the participants thinking about how to get more clarity around their businesses.

 

This is obviously only a rough draft, and will be edited at a later date.  We are posting it now for those who would enjoy value from the resources shared.

 

 

vision

the whole purpose is to give clarity around the destination, not to specify the means for accomplishing this realistic goal. 
Your vision statement should to be easy to read and comprehend.
It needs to be written in relevant terms that clearly communicate your end result.

 

examples of vision statements

http://www.enrichmentjournal.ag.org/enrichmentjournal/200103/036_visionstate_sidebar.cfm

 

The vision of Coach Universe is a global knowledge sharing network of coaches, trainers, facilitators, organizational effectiveness consultants and

other related professionals and their clients and potential clients.

It is a voluntary organization modeling possibilities for exchanging value available to the organizations of the future.

 

When building your business, it is imperative that you communicate to your customers and potential customers/clients (“prospects”) the

value you offer.  Moreover, this must be communicated in compelling language, such that these individuals are moved, touched and inspired

to take action and do business with you because of the value you are proposing/offering.

 

What follows, then, is a brief conversation/exploration of the concept of value.

 

what is value?

Value could be defined in technical terms as a principal, standard or quality considered worthwhile or desirable.

Said simply, value is an amount, as of goods, services, or money, considered to be a fair and suitable equivalent for something else; a fair price or return.

 

Let us for a moment consider the distinction adding value vs providing a benefit.

Pause for a moment, before continuing your reading, to think about this distinction.  How do you see these as distinct?

 

Let’s pause for a moment for a brief comment about pausing:

It really is important that you actually do pause for a moment to consider what we are discussing here.

 

The benefit to you of pausing is that you get it, versus being exposed to it.

Getting it makes a difference because you cannot go out and be awesome because you have been exposed to something.

How do we learn?  We learn most compellingly experientially.  Think about one of your most value-able learning experiences.

Was it not experiential?  Applying your preferred method of learning to this exercise will make a difference to you.

 

Ok, so we continue exploring, how do you see the distinction adding value versus giving more?

 

what value do you add to your clients, and what does that get them?

This is a very important distinction, and an important part of marketing your coaching practice.

 

Do you ask your clients, your colleagues, your customers, “how do you learn?”

Adults tend to appreciate visual aids, sure, but what is the learning style of the person you are coaching, managing, training?  What is a good approach with a diverse group?  Incorporating learning tools that address all styles, visual, kinesthetic, auditory, digital.

 

strategic planning resources
here is a resource to those considering how to handle the strategic planning process

http://www.mapnp.org/library/plan_dec/str_plan/str_plan.htm

 

Basic Guidelines for a Successful Planning Process

 

Goals and objectives should be SMARTER