STRATEGIC PLANNING: A KEYNOTE SPEAKER’S TAKE ON MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

Strategic planning speakers would tell you that the crux of any business’s operations can be found in its business strategy, a tactical plan that steers organizations toward their goals. While each company varies in their approach to this important process (which is often determined by the firm’s size, complexity and nature of operations), it’s important to think through what tack you plan to take. As strategic planning speakers, virtual speaking pros, and management consultants, we wanted to offer a quick run down of a few potential options you might use to help guide your efforts here.

1. Goal-Based Planning

This approach, a traditional favorite, operates around the principle of setting clear, quantifiable objectives. Organizations following goal-based planning create specific strategies to achieve these objectives and designate resources accordingly. As some strategic planning speakers have observed, this method is typically linear and rational, emphasizing control and predictability. However, its rigidity may limit adaptability in a fast-changing environment.

2. Issue-Based Planning

Rooted in the identification of critical issues that an organization must address, issue-based planning (also known as problem-solving planning) starts with a thorough understanding of the external and internal environment. The focus is on addressing challenges and capitalizing on opportunities to drive growth. Though it may lack the clear, long-term direction of goal-based planning, its flexibility and adaptability make it a practical choice for dynamic industries.

3. Organic Planning

Organic or emergent planning is a more fluid and less formal approach to plotting a tactical roadmap. It allows for strategies to evolve organically from the ground up, based on the reality of the environment rather than preset goals or objectives. Per leading strategic planning speakers, this methodology encourages innovation and adaptability, with its less rigid structure fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. At the same time, it may lack clarity and direction compared to more structured approaches.

4. Blue Ocean Strategy

This unique approach, popularized by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, encourages companies to create new demand in uncontested market spaces (the so-called “blue oceans”), rather than competing in overcrowded industries (“red oceans”). Supposedly it drives innovation by pushing companies to go beyond existing industry boundaries and create new value propositions. While it can lead to exponential growth though, it demands a high level of creativity and risk tolerance.

5. Scenario Planning

As for this practice, it is centered around anticipating different future states of the business environment. The method involves creating detailed narratives about potential outcomes based on identified trends and uncertainties. While it doesn’t provide a single strategic path, it prepares the organization to adapt to multiple possibilities, increasing resilience. Do note though that creating realistic, effective scenarios requires a significant investment of time and analytical skills.

In effect, strategic planning speakers often recommend you think about many potential approaches to plotting your business’ strategy. Often, you won’t know which makes the most sense until you dive in and start to think more deeply about which makes the most sense for your individual operating environment and situation. On the bright side, many different tactics are often worth exploring.