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Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning The Top Five Reasons Strategic Plans Fail "Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas." That's how one of our survey respondents answered our question, "What are the top three obstacles that prevent great plans from reaching effective implementation?" Despite the universal chatter around the need to be "strategic", and the untold hours spent developing strategic plans, it appears that they don't work nearly often enough. And based on the spirited responses we got from the generous folks who answered our survey, it seems that many have been involved in a strategic plan that failed. Of course, we all know it's not YOUR fault! Aug 9, 2005, 00:35 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning Completing the Annual Planning Process Imagine an office without a desk, or lights, a computer, or even something as simple as a chair. When the architects and designers started planning a building or office space they knew they would have to make concessions for these items during each of the building activities. As marketers, we take part in many activities, much like a builder or designer does ... Aug 9, 2005, 00:30 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning Communication Strategy During A Time Of Strategic Planning Rubbish!" shouted the large, aggressive man in the red-striped shirt (we had to pay attention to him because he owned the company). "The staff don't need to be told anything. When we've sorted out all the details and have the adverts ready to run, then we'll tell them. They don't need to know beforehand, it'll only stop them working" he went on to loudly proclaim... Aug 9, 2005, 00:28 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning Fail to plan... or Plan to FAIL?? Running a business, whether it be an offline multi-billion dollar company or an online part time home business, they share many similar traits. One of the biggest obstacles I have endeavored to translate to many, many small business / home business people, is a very simple phrase......' Treat It Like a REAL business, Because It IS a REAL Business' Aug 9, 2005, 00:25 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning Ten Steps To A Great Strategic Plan Ask a small business owner about their strategic plan and they’ll either laugh or get that stricken look in their eyes. Yet it’s well documented that businesses with a strategic plan are more successful. No matter what size business, from solo practitioner to hundreds of employees, a thoughtful strategic plan will help you achieve your dreams... Aug 9, 2005, 00:24 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning The Power of Planning I am surprised how few sales professionals, independent consultants, and small business owners take the time to plan the strategy for their business. Most people spend more time writing out a grocery list or planning a vacation than they do planning the direction or outcome of their business. Many will determine a vague or general idea of what they want to accomplish but very few actually identify the specific action steps they will need to take in order to achieve their goals. I’m not suggesting you create a 25-30 page business plan like a good friend of mine writes every year, but I do recommend that you begin outlining the goals you want to accomplish and how you plan to get there... Aug 9, 2005, 00:10 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning 6 Steps To Laying Out Your Competitive Strategy Why do so many companies languish and watch as their business turns into a zero profit zone, while others seem to thrive? When you look at your business, whether it’s a new venture or a company with a long history, can you answer the following questions? Aug 9, 2005, 00:03 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning Business Strategy Planning Made Easy Ask Yourself three simple questions that affect your strategy planning... What direction is my business going in? How do I create my business strategy so that I can position myself as a leader in my industry? Where do I go to find out information about business strategy planning? Aug 9, 2005, 00:01 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Management Tips Don’t Allow Yourself to Get Burned I am not a big fisherman, but I do enjoy it whenever the opportunity comes my way. I have some friends who are fanatics and occasionally I will go out with one of them. They have nice boats and it makes for an enjoyable day. Aug 8, 2005, 23:51 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning Art of Succession Planning Succession planning, like any business acumen, is both an art and a science. That is to say, there are many proven strategies that can and must be followed so that successful transition can occur. Aug 8, 2005, 23:46 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Management Tips 5 Strategies That Will Boost Your Business Productivity Building a dynamic small business is a constantly evolving, increasingly demanding role. It is very easy to get so caught up in the day to day running of our business that we neglect to take the time to look from the outside in to see what we could do to improve our profitability! Well here are 5 Strategies that could boost your productivity overnight. Aug 8, 2005, 23:45 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Management Tips 5 Strategies That Will Boost Your Business Productivity Today! - Part 2 Growing your own small business can be one of the most exciting journeys you could ever embark upon! But it's important that you continuously implement new and fresh ways to generate sales and improve your profitability in order to stay ahead of the market! Here are the next 5 Strategies to help you propel your business to new heights of success! Aug 8, 2005, 23:43 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Management Issues A Backup To The Internet Is Vital & Now Cost Effective It doesn’t take a Terrorist Act, Tsunami or Earthquake to put a business heavily dependent on the internet in the dark and effectively out of business for hours or even days into weeks. Aug 8, 2005, 23:40 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning Are You Ready To Go International? Although North Americans were the dominant population on the Internet, that has now changed, and the rest of the world has caught up rapidly. And while English is still the most widely used Internet language, it's not the language of choice for many, many Internet users. Aug 8, 2005, 23:37 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning The Power of Strategic Thinking: Creating Meaningful Success Too much goal setting and strategic planning can leave you feeling like you're working against the forces of nature; too little and you end up where you never intended to be-with a life or business that is bigger, smaller, or different than what you genuinely desire. Though getting you and your organization where you most want them to be at any given time can be hard work it can also be exhilarating. Is there a better way? Is it possible to minimize the stress and maximize the exhilaration while still accomplishing those things that are most important to you? Aug 8, 2005, 23:23 Business Articles : Management & Strategy Turning On The Lights Fun From The Start. For those with the will to start a new business the rewards, both financial and emotional, can be excellent, but the risks can also be significant to both sanity and mortgage. Of course, the chance of success increases if a company has a good, well thought through strategy before they strike out. Aug 8, 2005, 23:22 Business Articles : Management & Strategy 10 Critical Facts to Put On the Cover of Your Business Plan In most business plans, no matter how striking the idea, the covers are critically important. The majority of investors may flip to the executive summary, if they get past the cover, when deciding whether or not they are interested. Exactly like the front page of a daily newspaper, a business plan cover puts the important highlights of the proposal upfront for potential investors to read... Aug 8, 2005, 23:19 Business Articles : Management & Strategy Innovators' Role at Hard Times One Research Scientist at the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Imaging Systems laboratory said Carly Fiorina was a marketing person put in change of engineers who cared nothing about the art and beauty of technology. She just wanted saleable stock to bring to market. He exhorts that when she walked into the HP Labs for the first time, she said that their new company slogan was "Invent." Then, she told them that the technology industry would never again be as exciting and profitable as it was in the '90s. That they'd all need to grow up now and face that fact. Aug 8, 2005, 23:17 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning Pave the Way to a Successful Strategic Plan Many very successful business owners may never have had a formal strategic plan. Some think, “Why do we need to do strategic planning? We’re doing great just like we are. Aug 8, 2005, 23:14 Business Articles : Management & Strategy : Strategic Planning Top Ten Traits of Strategic Thinkers Want to become more strategic? Add these traits to your collection of skills and watch your success soar! Aug 8, 2005, 23:13 More Headlines