3 Roadblocks to Strategic Planning
The purpose of strategic planning is to allow you to see ahead and identify the risks you are most likely to encounter and the opportunities that can help you grow. However, every business has a finite amount of resources available, which means there will be an ultimate limit to what they can do even if they have a strong plan. According to educator Jonathan Osler San Francisco, the three roadblocks businesses face during strategic planning are discussed below.
1. Short Cuts
Strategic planning is not a simple process, and there are many ways to think about it, so the best way to approach it is to use a long-term view. But sometimes, businesses get caught up in short-term thinking, which takes them down a path that can prevent them from moving their business forward. The problem with short-term thinking is that it tends to focus on fixing the most prominent problems at the time and what needs to be done separately from any long-term strategies.
Jonathan Osler adds that the best way you can decide how to strategize is to look at the big picture. The reality, however, is that we are all so busy, and we don’t always have time to think long term. He suggests that if you can find the time to do this exercise, you are in a good situation because it will help you achieve your goals. Businesses’ biggest mistake during a strategic planning process is failing to follow through with what they have determined during the planning process.
2. The Lack of Clarity
Many businesses hire consultants to help them with strategic planning, but not all consultants are as effective as others. Jonathan Osler notes that if you are consulting a company that has too many layers or is disorganized, you might be at risk of getting no clear direction during your consultation. Many companies will offer customized packages, which can be visually appealing and don’t cost a lot, but they aren’t always the best choice. Jonathan Osler notes that if your company is not in the habit of working together, then any process will be very difficult to execute, especially if it is a whole new process. The problem comes in when you are paying a consultant who hasn’t seen your team work together before, and they don’t know how to involve everyone and move forward.
3. The Lack of Willingness to Change
Many businesses want to put off the decision-making process until later because there is so much on their plate at the moment. Jonathan Osler explains that when you have come up with the best plan possible and have had a chance to think about it and make adjustments where necessary, it’s time to move forward. The longer you delay, the more difficult it will be to get everyone on board. Often, employees are afraid of change because they are worried about being reprimanded for not doing something correctly or being forced to work in a way that is different from what they are used to.
Conclusion
Jonathan Osler San Francisco notes that your business will run into roadblocks as you develop a plan to take it forward. Still, if you remember why, it’s important and what the outcome can be for your company, then anything is possible. Don’t rely on shortcuts, and don’t waste time trying to figure out something that will require more effort than it’s worth.