A Walk Through the Strategic Planning Process

In this article, we will take a leisurely stroll through the strategic planning process. This includes the model most used in textbooks and courses on corporate strategy. The strategic planning process consists of the following steps: Vision Statement Mission Statement Corporate Goals Corporate Strategy Metrics Vision Statement A vision statement is....

Make your business soar with a Balanced Scorecard

The Balanced Scorecard is a system for the implementation of corporate strategy.  It is a performance measurement tool that helps an organization execute its strategies and turn them into measurable results "on the ground."  In its practical form, a balanced scorecard is a 4-quadrant itemized list of key performance indicators....

The Best KPI’s for your Business

Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are clear, specific metrics that measure an organization's progress toward a corporate goal.  They generally have a time component, because they track the execution of a corporate strategy. They are the "scorecard" part of a balanced scorecard. To develop KPI's, it helps to divide them into three....

How to do a PEST Analysis

A PEST Analysis is not a way to rid your office of undesirable rodents, although I suggest you take care of that first if it is a problem.  Rather, it is strategic analysis technique which analyzes the external environment within which an organization operates.  It is designed to give an....

How to Perform a SWOT Analysis

A SWOT Analysis is a simple but effective tool used to examine an organization's business prospects determine the strategy that an organization will employ to achieve its goals. It is normally plotted on a simple 2 x 2 matrix. Scroll down for an example. SWOT stands for: Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities....

Corporate Strategy: How to Get a Competitive Edge

Corporate Strategy refers to the methods with which an organization achieves its goals. In the world of corporate strategy, the development of strategy is the third in a three step process, in this order: Corporate vision defines the state the organization wants to be in over the long term. Corporate....

How to Establish Corporate Goals

A corporate goal is an specific, measurable objective toward which an organization channels its efforts.  Goals support a vision or mission statement. In strategic planning, the establishment of corporate goals comes right after the development of corporate vision and mission statements.  These documents lay the groundwork for determining the more....

Strategic Planning: Destroy the Competition!

In today's ultra-competitive business environment, strategic planning is more than ever a necessary tool to growing a successful business. Even large companies are not immune to sharp downturns and failed strategic plans. Strategic planning is a process that results in the development of a strategic plan (really!).  The strategic planning....