CCMC has extensive experience in creating strategic plans for companies ranging from $1 million to $500 million. Frequently we work as a partner sharing in the process and coaching our client. “Four eyes can be better than two!”
For a well-managed business, the strategic plan is more than a pulse check or annual check-up. Many tools are used in the process of creating a simple, yet effective, strategic plan. “SWOT Analysis” (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) has been one of the more popular tools and there are others.
Strategic planning is a critically important process regardless of whether the business is a start-up, struggling in its infancy, or a mature, healthy business with strong expectations of continued success.
Self-examination is one aspect of the strategic plan and that includes functions, operations, procedures and performance. It is an opportunity for analyzing strengths, identifying weaknesses and re-examining the vision, mission, values and strategy of the business— In other words, after establishing the “what, where, when and why,” the strategic plan will include the “who and the how.”
Other external factors may be considered such as changing customer preferences, competitors, technological changes, supplier markets, labor markets, the general economy and the regulatory environment.