The Most Direct and Biggest Benefits of global strategic planning

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What are the benefits of strategic planning?

“A strategic plan increases operational efficiency and helps determine critical company-wide leadership decisions, such as budgeting and resources needed to accomplish set objectives. These critical operational factors illustrate why strategic planning is fundamental.”

 

In 2021, 65 percent of respondents from a global survey stated that pursuing a strategy of automation as a catalyst to modernise legacy business practices aggressively. Other operational strategies pursued aggressively are the digitisation of the workplace and revising and implementing business continuity measures.

A strategic plan instils a shared sense of responsibility.

• A strategic plan helps to define the overall direction of a business.
• It aids in setting realistic objectives and goals in line with the business vision and mission.
• Also, it creates a sense of collaboration and collective responsibility.
• The key to successful strategic planning is to engage key stakeholders as early as possible.

It increases operational efficiency among leaders.

• When discussing the importance of strategic planning we must consider leadership.
• A vision can fall short in its implementation when there are no clear goals.
• Clarity regarding the types of changes that are needed and how complex they might be.
• The value of strategic planning is better seen with effective strategic management.
• It is a leader’s roadmap to align the business’ functional activities to achieve set KPIs and goals.

Staff satisfaction and retention are improved.

• A strategic plan can empower employees to be more responsible and engaged at work.
• It can be used to improve workplace culture and bolster benefits, and career advancement.

Trust is bolstered and expectations are managed.

• In addition to building trust and eliminating ambiguity, a strategic plan increases transparency.
• A strategic plan allows the teams to effectively plan resources, collaborate and generate opportunities.
• A strategy will set out how data is to be managed, in a modern, quantifiable, and secure way.
• Clarifies how data supports your decisions and communicates the rationale behind your decisions.
• In a business or strategic partnership, all of these will contribute greatly towards improving trust.

Top 8 Strategy Framework

“It has been reported, of the businesses that survive after 5 years, about 70% follow a strategic business plan. Emerging entrepreneurs who completed a business plan are 6 times more likely to succeed or obtain funding and investment after putting together their business than those without a plan.”

1. Conduct a SWOT analysis

• This involves analysing the business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It will provide insights into the business’s internal and external environment and help in developing a viable and sustainable strategy.

2. Define the business mission and vision

• This includes outlining the organisation’s purpose as well as its future goals. The business strategy will be built on the foundation of the mission and vision.

3. Establish clear, measurable goals, objectives, and key performance indicators KPIs

• These should align with the business’s long-term vision based on the SWOT analysis, the mission, and the medium to long-term vision.

4. Develop unique strategies and strategic plans:

• Create strategies to support the company in achieving its aims and objectives. Plans must be viable, leverage business strengths, and opportunities and minimise weaknesses and threats.

5. Efficiently and Effectively Allocate resources

• Allocate the resources required to effectively implement the strategy, such as assets, capital, and human resources.

6. Develop an implementation plan:

• Develop a project plan for implementing the strategies, with timelines, responsibilities, and metrics for tracking actual progress.

7. Consistently monitor and assess progress

• Monitor and evaluate actual performance in relation to the goals and objectives, making any revisions and adapting the plan as needed.

8. Clearly and Effectively communicate the strategy:

• To achieve stakeholder alignment and buy-in, communicate the plan to stakeholders such as staff, customers, and investors.

Factors for Strategic Business Planning

“At the early stage, the businesses that adopt business plans have a 7% higher likeliness of increased growth compared to those who do not implement a business plan early on.”

When developing strategic business plans, there are several factors that businesses must consider including:

• Sector, industry, market trends, competition, and understanding the client needs and preferences is critical for developing a successful business plan.

• SWOT Analysis: Assessing the business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats will assist in identifying where the business can improve weaknesses and capitalise on opportunities and strengths.

• Financial Planning: Creating a financial plan that includes revenue estimates, cash flow analysis, and a budget will safeguard that the company has the resources and controls needed to meet objectives.

• Resource Allocation: Determining the resources required to implement the business plan, including human resources, technology, equipment, controls, systems, and facilities, is crucial for ensuring that the plan is feasible and achievable.

• Risk management is vital and recognising main risks and implementing contingency plans can assist in managing risks and ensuring that the business can withstand unanticipated risks.

• Setting strategic goals after establishing clear, quantifiable, and achievable SMART objectives that fit the business’s long-term vision, and purpose and help in successful decision-making.

• Creating a thoroughly detailed implementation plan with schedules, milestones, and key performance indicators will aid in ensuring that the business strategy is successfully executed.

• Actively monitoring and assessing the business plan will help in identifying areas where swift modification is needed to keep on track with goals and the changing global business environment.

Types of business strategies

Vertical Integration Strategy:

• This strategy comprises expanding the business activities upstream or downstream of the supply chain for better control of the production process.

Retrenchment Strategy:

• This strategy entails reducing the business size or scope to boost profitability or focus on core businesses.

International Strategy:

• This strategy comprises increasing the company’s presence in foreign markets to capitalise on new growth opportunities or reduce dependency on home markets.

Innovation Strategy:

• This method involves developing new products, services, or business models for competitive advantage and to stay ahead.

Cost Leadership Strategy:

• This strategy aims to achieve the lowest possible production cost to offer products or services at a lower price than competitors.

Differentiation Strategy:

• This focuses on creating a distinct product or service that differentiates the firm from its competitors.

Focus Strategy:

• This strategy involves focusing on a particular market sector, specialty, or product area to better serve a certain set of clients.

Growth Strategy:

• This aims to increase the size of the business by entering new markets, introducing new products, services, and/or acquiring existing businesses.

Diversification Strategy:

• This strategy comprises increasing the company’s range of products or services to reduce dependency on a single product or market.

Key Steps for a Forward-Thinking Strategic Plan

“High-growth innovative start-up entrepreneurs are 7% more likely to plan, while those with innovative, disruptive ideas are also marginally more inclined (4%).”

Five key focus areas to plan for a resilient and profitable forward-thinking strategy

1. Go micro:

In your organization, designate one team member to represent each relevant department for a once-a-month meeting in which microtrends are presented and discussed. Trend predictions gleaned from this group should be submitted to the innovation team/decision-makers.

2. Conduct annual scenario planning:

To analyze long-term trends and market forces, the following scenario-planning exercises can be useful:

• Set a time horizon (2025, 2055, etc.) and scope (a specific area of your business, all areas of your business, or the entire industry) for the analysis.
• Map the key trends and driving forces that could impact your business, including economic, political, technological, legal, societal, and industry-specific trends. Describe each trend, as well as how and why it will affect your organization.

• Look for uncertainties: wild-card factors that could upend current plans —such as an environmental disaster, vendor bankruptcy, or tighter industry regulation — and threaten your organization.
• Define two to four scenarios based on the trends and uncertainties you’ve identified. Include a mix of best- and worst-case scenarios.
• Assess the scenarios. What are your opportunities? What are the threats? How can your business prepare now for these scenarios?

3. Make the future tangible:

Task your product team with identifying key social, technological, economic, environmental, and political (STEEP) forces that will likely impact your organization. Distribute the STEEP list internally and use it to generate forward-thinking ideas from the company at large.

4. Retain a technology scout:

Technology scouting is a systematic means of identifying emerging technologies or applying established technologies in new ways.

5. Tap into academia:

To pull ahead of your competition, start by outlining your long-term business objectives that could be served through collaboration with a university.

How to improve your business’s chance of success

“A study published in Small Business Economics found that entrepreneurs that take the time to create a plan for their business idea are 152 percent more likely to start their business. Not only that, those entrepreneurs with a plan are 129 percent more likely to push forward with their business beyond the initial phase and grow.”

An effective business plan provides entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as their employees, with a way to lay out their goals and track their progress as the business evolves and grows.

Every new business should start with a business plan. Moreso business plans help funders and investors determine whether a business is on the right path and worth investing in.

Businesses can improve their chance of success by including information such as:

• A market analysis: identifying factors and conditions affecting their industry.
• Competitive analysis: identifying competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.
• Customer segmentation: segmenting customers to improve your marketing.
• Marketing strategy to promote the business based on research, channels, and client segments.
• Logistics and operating plans by setting the most efficient production process and implementing it
• Cash flow and financial projection including a detailed 5-year analysis of financials and cash flow
• Projections of growth and profitability over the short-medium-long term for funding and investors

10 Tips For Growing A Successful Business

1. Plan and get organised

2. Maintain detailed records

3. Research your competition

4. Understand the risks and opportunities

5. Be innovative and creative

6. Stay focused, agile and prepare for risks

7. Be prepared to make time and money sacrifices

8. Deliver excellent service

9. Be financially prudent and resilient

10. Develop strategic partnerships

How To Best Prepare For risks As A Business Leader

“Entrepreneurs who implement strategic business plans are 16% more likely to achieve long-term viability than otherwise identical non-planning entrepreneurs.”

 

Scan for current and anticipate emerging risks

Whether you are just starting in business or have been a credible brand name for decades, it is crucial to undertake regular assessments of your potential risks, and vulnerabilities from deals and investment opportunities to customer behaviour patterns and customer satisfaction. Taking this approach will enable the business to better prepare for and navigate risks and uncertainty in the economy.

Fill unanticipated consumer needs and trends

• Keep your business nimble for when external factors threaten your business, and be ready to “pivot” into adjacent areas. Instead of focusing purely on new product development, consider how existing services/products can benefit adjacent industries.

Pilot test potential new products and services

• The most effective risk management plan is more about evolution. Pilot testing can help prevent getting caught off guard by changes in market conditions.

Develop a flexible, adaptable, and proactive strategy

• To navigate uncertainty in the new normal, leaders need to adopt a flexible, adaptable, and proactive risk management strategy.

Consult a regulatory authority for compliance and legal advice.

• Seek legal advice and refer to the current regulatory framework or be as close as you can to it. New markets are risky, especially when there are few / no governing guidelines.

Reduce negative impacts with sound contingency plans.

• Risk management plans identify potential risks, assess likelihood, impact, and include strategies to minimise or mitigate risks.

Take advantage of market intelligence, technology, and AI insights

• In uncertain times, market intelligence is essential data. Seek insights from industry experts, peers, vendors, and customers in addition to the usual resources.

Invest in smart ways to upskill your most effective employees.

• Investing in your people is one of the most effective risk management investments you can make during down markets and in uncertain times as a leader.

Tips for preparing your business plan in 2023

“Valuable reasons why businesses fail include lack of product market fit, poor marketing, lack of team operational expertise and finance. Below are more tips for preparing your business plan in 2023.”

Your business mission statement is one of the most important aspects of your business plan.

• Describe what your company does and what it stands for in a clear and concise statement. The mission statement should also be supported and aligned with all other aspects of the business plan.

Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based (SMART).

• You will be able to track and measure your progress over time this way.

Identify Your Target Market: It’s important to know who your target market is and what they want.

• By doing this, you will be able to develop the right marketing strategy to reach them.

You should have a clear understanding of your pricing strategy and how it compares to your competitors.

• The price point at which your products or services are most feasible will be determined by this process.

A business plan should include key performance indicators (KPIs).

• To achieve your goals, you need to track and measure your progress. Therefore, you should specify which KPIs you plan to track and how often.

Every successful business needs a solid marketing strategy.

• You will be able to reach your target market and promote your products or services more effectively this way. It is important to tailor your marketing strategies to the needs of your business and customers.

12 Business Goals To Prioritise during Planning

“Social media statistics show us that social media marketing can be an effective tool for businesses, as 73 percent of marketers believe that their efforts through social media marketing have been “somewhat effective” or “very effective” for their business.”

1. People’s Well-Being

Taking care of your people’s well-being should be a top business goal in 2023. Engaging and thriving employees who feel like they belong experience significantly less stress, and health problems and contribute to the business mission and goals.

2. Strategic Flexibility

One top business goal to prioritise is strategic flexibility in systems, and programs and especially in hiring people and resources.

3. The Future of Work

Another priority for 2023 is the future of work. Adjusting the norm will be continuous therefore businesses need to keep this in mind as the world potentially goes into a recession.

4. A Refresh of Strategy

The key is to complete a refresh of strategy, identification of operational metrics, and a cascade of KPIs and goals at the individual and team levels.

5. More Engagement from Employees

Employee engagement is a critical issue that all businesses need to attend to in 2023.

6. Efficiency In Systems

Prioritising efficiency in systems and processes makes not only good business sense but will also be very important in times of financial uncertainty.

7. Improvement of Company Culture

2022 has been a challenging year for employers and most report great challenges with recruitment and retention, so going forward this is key.

8. Employee Retention

A top business goal to prioritise in 2023 is retention. Businesses need to train and develop all levels of management with direct reports on how to lead.

9. Prioritising equal pay and compensation transparency in the business

10. What Brings Results

Businesses should focus on cutting through the noise and prioritising what truly achieves growth results.

11. What Roles are Important

We are entering into an economy where businesses will start to look at talent and decide what is pivotal talent and what is incremental talent.

12. Strengthening the Leadership Role

Strengthening leadership in the advancement of healthy work cultures must be a top priority for 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Questions are often asked about what a business plan entails. A business plan is a written document that clearly defines the goals of a start-up or existing business and that outlines the specific methods for achieving these goals. An effective business plan acts as the management and financial blueprint for developing and growing a successful business.”

What is Strategic planning for business?

• Strategic planning in business is the process of defining a business’s objectives and creating a plan to accomplish those goals. It entails conducting a thorough analysis of an organisation’s present situation, prospective opportunities, and challenges, as well as creating a plan of action to accomplish the desired outcomes.

Why do businesses need strategic planning?

• Strategic planning assists firms in establishing clear and defined goals and objectives that are consistent with their vision and purpose.
• They assist firms in identifying possible opportunities and risks in their market and sector. This enables businesses to keep ahead of the competition and respond to market developments.
• Allocating resources: Strategic planning assists firms in allocating resources such as capital and human resources to meet their goals and objectives
• Enhancing decision-making: Strategic planning assists firms in making informed decisions that are consistent with their overall strategy by providing a clear roadmap and framework for decision-making.
• Monitoring progress: Strategic planning assists firms in developing metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess progress and performance against set goals and objectives.

What are the major components of strategic planning?

• Vision and Mission: A clear statement of the organisation’s long-term aspirations and purpose.
• SWOT Analysis: A detailed analysis of the organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to identify internal and external factors that affect its performance.
• Goals and Objectives: Specific, measurable, and achievable targets that the organisation aims to accomplish within a defined timeframe.
• Strategy Development: The creation of a thorough action plan outlining how the company will attain its goals and objectives.
• Allocating resources, such as people, money, and technology, to support the business plan.

What are strategic Ways To Ensure Your Business is Adaptable to market change

• Collect customer input: Consumer feedback is very important in understanding the requirements and preferences of customers.
• Develop a flexible strategic plan: Businesses should create a strategic plan that is flexible and adaptable to changes in the market or industry.
• Strategic Partnerships can assist firms in gaining access to new markets or technology. It will also present the potential for collaborative marketing.
• Adopt digital transformation: In today’s economy, the digital transformation of firms is becoming increasingly vital to stay relevant and competitive.

What are the key steps involved in developing a strategic plan for a business?

• Define the mission and vision:
• The first step in developing a strategic plan is to define the business mission and vision The mission statement describes the purpose of the business, while the vision statement sets out future aspirations.
• Using the SWOT analysis, the company should establish clear and quantifiable goals and objectives that are in line with its purpose and vision.
• Create strategies: Once the goals and objectives have been established, the company should create strategies to achieve the set goals and track these.
• Allocate resources: To properly implement the strategy, the company must assign the appropriate resources, such as finance and human resources.
• Create an action plan that specifies the exact activities that the company must take to execute the strategy.
• Monitor and analyse progress to ensure that the strategic plan is on track, the company should frequently monitor and reassess its progress against the plan.
• Clearly and effectively communicate the strategy: Stakeholders, including workers, customers, and investors, should be informed about the strategic strategy.

Which Factors to Consider for Strategic Business Planning for Businesses?

• Understanding industry and market trends, competition, and client wants and preferences is critical for developing a successful company plan.
• Financial Planning: Creating a financial plan that includes revenue estimates, cash flow analysis, and a budget will assist and safeguard that the company has the resources needed to meet its objectives.
• Resource Allocation: Determining the resources required to implement the business plan and ensuring that the plan is feasible and achievable.
• Risk Management: Recognising possible risks and implementing contingency plans can assist in managing risk and ensuring that the firm is prepared to face unanticipated occurrences.
• Strategic Objectives: Establishing clear, quantifiable, and achievable objectives that match the company’s overarching vision and purpose will assist guide decision-making and ensure the company is on the correct path.

What are the challenges businesses may face when implementing a strategic plan?

• Lack of resources: Putting a strategic plan into action necessitates resources such as cash, technology, and trained staff. Companies may solve this difficulty by choosing the most critical objectives, obtaining external finance or forming partnerships, and having a clear resource allocation strategy.
• Lack of alignment: If the strategic plan is not in line with the company’s broader vision and goal, it may be difficult to implement. To address this issue, firms should ensure that their strategic plan is in line with their fundamental beliefs and long-term goals.
• Inadequate communication: If stakeholders do not understand the strategic plan, they will be unable to buy into it and successfully contribute to its implementation. To address this issue, organisations should continuously communicate the strategy clearly and regularly, via a variety of channels including meetings, emails, and social media, and adapt it to stay relevant.

How do you Measure the Success of Your Strategic Plan?

• Revenue and profitability should be tracked by businesses to ensure that they are meeting their financial objectives.
• Brand awareness and reputation are crucial for organisations because they will influence consumer loyalty and sales.
• Productivity and efficiency are vital to ensure that the business can meet client demands.
• The level of employee engagement is an indication of whether they are bought in.
• Market share is an essential indicator for businesses since it displays their market position in comparison to their competitors.
• Customer satisfaction is an important indicator for organisations because it demonstrates how well they are satisfying the demands of their customers.
• Businesses should measure the success of their strategic plans by tracking the progress of their goals and objectives and using key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure their performance and successes.

REFERENCES AND SOURCES

• https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/strategic-planning#:~:text=Strategic%20planning%20is%20a%20process,can%20reach%20its%20stated%20vision.
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/elements-of-strategic-planning
• https://creately.com/blog/strategy-and-planning/top-strategy-frameworks-for-businesses/
• https://www.linhartpr.com/blog/successful-strategic-planning-five-factors
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2021/07/21/15-strategic-ways-to-ensure-your-business-is-adaptable/?sh=29e26483c9dd
• https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/business-strategy-planning/define-strategy/how-to-measure-success-strategic-plan
• https://lucidspark.com/blog/the-pitfalls-of-strategic-planning#:~:text=Common%20challenges%20of%20strategic%20planning,before%20we%20dive%20into%20solutions.
• https://www.performance.gov/blog/strategic-plan-7-steps/
• https://thebusinessprofessor.com/en_US/business-management-amp-operations-strategy-entrepreneurship-amp-innovation/types-of-business-strategy
• https://smallbusiness.chron.com/different-types-business-strategies-4634.html
• https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/5-ways-to-adapt-to-change-and-build-a-more-resilient/434125
• https://envisio.com/blog/measure-success-of-strategic-plan/
• https://boardview.io/blog/4-key-obstacles-strategy-implementation-overcome/
• https://www.cumanagement.com/articles/2019/04/5-most-common-strategy-execution-challenges
• https://spur-reply.com/blog/the-6-elements-of-effective-strategic-planning
• https://bia.ca/5-key-factors-to-successful-strategic-planning-2/
• https://www.cumanagement.com/articles/2019/04/5-most-common-strategy-execution-challenges
• https://webinarcare.com/best-business-plan-software/business-plan-statistics/

CONTACT

“Our personalised independent approach and forward thinking strategy supports leaders. By embedding sustainability in our activities, we support innovative businesses and leaders on infrastructure projects and construction contracts with their cost assurance and strategy. This leverages 25 years of experience across commercial, finance project control functions and as an auditor. CFBL helps optimise cost, minimise risks and maximise value through our services.”

What does CFBL Consulting do?

CFBL consulting offers cost-assurance audits and sustainable strategy consulting services. This includes an initial ESG assessment, an X-ray view of actual costs to prevent or evidence greenwashing, impact reporting, a payroll audit to safeguard equal pay, and practical training on how to embed ESG KPIs into finance, commercial, and project investment decisions. We identify, resolve, and follow through. By establishing ourselves as strategic partners, we govern and help implement sustainable strategies. Our roadmaps ensure that project plans are successful, as a result, we measure our success by yours.

Who We Work With and What We Do

• Infrastructure project: cost assurance audits, systems payroll HR audits & protocols
• SME Business Strategy: 5-Yr strategic business plans and financial statements
• Fintech/Transformation advisory: minimising risk and optimising business case ROI
• Sustainability & ESG: pay-gap carbon cost audits reporting ESG finance training
• Training: delivering case-based training for buy-in to technology & staff upskilling
• Fintech & Digital: strategy cost optimisation & digital transformation advisory
• Steering Group (CSR): cost assurance and audits on infrastructure projects/contracts

Sustainability & ESG Strategy Tips – How can CFBL Consulting help

• Developing and implementing a sustainable business strategy for growth/scaling
• Sustainability/ESG strategy: implementing, carbon measurement and benchmarking
• HR/Payroll audit: Independent HR, payroll cost, pay-gap gender balance auditing
• Sustainability & ESG: strategy implementation, carbon cost auditing/impact reporting
• ESG Finance training: upskilling staff/supply chain on ESG KPIs in decision making
• ESG protocols: training & designing controls, tools, and templates for ESG reporting

Infrastructure Projects – Tips & How can CFBL Consulting help

• Cost assurance: implementing capex people, process, systems & controls
• Protocols: training & designing project/contracts process, tools, templates
• Independent cost audits: verifying actual/ defined cost on cost/open book contracts
• Systems auditor: examining financial records, controls, and cost systems for integrity
• Pre-audit diagnostic: identifying risks on cost-based/open book alliance contracts
• Independent contract auditor role: Undertaking internal project/contract auditor role
• Legal records: facilitating records for legal compliance on cost/open book contracts
• Payroll audit: Independent HR, payroll, carbon cost, gender pay-gap/balance audit
• Business case: Implementing Capex strategy/developing investment business cases
• ESG Finance training: upskilling staff/supply chain on ESG KPIs in decision making
• ESG protocols: training & designing controls, tools, and templates for ESG reporting

SME Business Strategy -Tips & How can CFBL Consulting help

• Scale-up investor funding pitch diagnostic assessment and recommendations
• Developing a sustainable business plan for scaling up, funding, and advisory
• Developing/implementing strategy: sustainable business strategy for growth/scaling
• 5-Yr Strategic business planning: financial statements, analysis for funding & grants
• People training & upskilling: business and supply chain engagement and training
• Independent Fintech/Transformation Advisory: minimising risk and optimising ROI
• Capex Investments: optimising grants, funding R&D tax credits & capital allowances
• Financial management: tax, planning & implementing financial controls for resilience
• Finance business partnering providing strategic advice in financial decision making

Fintech & Digital Transformation Advisory – How can CFBL Consulting help

• Commercial systems: advisory on commercial, contract, cost, audits & projects
• Financial systems: advisory on financial, HR, management, and reporting systems
• ESG KPI reporting: Insight and benchmarking for reporting and competitive edge
• Independent advisory on payroll, project, contract, cost, audit and reporting software
• Independent advisory on technology that best aligns with strategic objectives
• Training: delivering case-based training, for buy-in to technology & staff upskilling

Steering Group (CSR) Outputs: Tips – How our Steering Group Experts help

• Key Output 8 – Technology
• Key Output 7 – Cost Assurance & Audit in Practice
• Key Output 6 – Cost Reporting
• Key Output 5 – The People Perspective
• Key Output 4 – The Legal Perspective
• Key Output 3 – Contracts & Key Terms
• Key Output 2 – Standards & Frameworks
• Key Output 1 – Cost Assurance Key Issues

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