Wednesday 4 August 2010

Strategic Planning Basics

Strategic planning is vital while starting a new business or expansion of an business or planning to boost the performance of an existing business. But it requires detailed strategic planning and controlled deployment activities. Strategic planning is used to delivers its value proposition and achieve its mission.

The main difference between Strategic planning and long term planning is long term planning is developed based on the current scenario but in strategic planning we anticipate future changes.

These are the fundamentals of strategic planning.

Business Mission

The mission statement identifies purpose of the business and the reason for its existence. The mission statement, the organization prospect, ensures realiability and clarity of purpose throughout the organization. The business mission definitions shoule not be confusing, if the perspectives are confusing which leads to incorrect decision making.

Strategic Research

A Strategic research and understanding of your marketplace, your financial perspective and capabilities forms the foundation for the strategy development process. From the analysis, applying creativity, developing a strategy map will produce a number of options and opportunities that can be used to build and implement a solid strategic plan for new or existing markets.

Strategic Procedure

In this segment we should concentrate on where the organization should be going rather than how it should get there. The vital issues facing the organization are, to achieve its mission should be basis for this segment.

Tracking key strategic thrusts

This step produces the inventory of key strategic thrusts that are emphasized to address the vital issues.

Accomplishment

A evaluation with the current strategy should be carryout at this segment. An assessment of the structure and operations of the business must be carried out to ensure whether it is jelling with the new business objectives. These are the list of department has to be examined

Resource distribution has to be checked. Whether enough resources are available for next financial year. Organization formation has to be appropriate. Whether the jobs are defined propely. There are proper committee are there to deal with the stage. Proper communication systems. Whether the organization communication management is effective?. People accountable is to there. wherether people identified as "in charge" of each objective. Clear incentive systems. How will people be recognized or receive incentive for achieving results?

Strategic Business Planning Is A Back Bone Of Business Growth

A Strategic Plan, or StratPlan, is a planning tool for management of larger companies to formulate their high-level business strategy. It starts with the brain-storming sessions that are part of our Strategic Planning Workshop.It helps planners to understand the environment, corporate culture and core competencies.

To provide good strategic business planning and financial consulting experienced and talented people are required.CarloScevola & Partners provides solutions that are the outcome of an intense process of updating and applying new methods and techniques to the surrounding markets.This company offer better qulity services including strategic business consulting, offshore advisory, offshore management, offshore financial consultant, offshore financial advisor and act as commodity trading advisor.

The tailored approach pursued by all of our divisions allows us to offer our private and institutional clients a structural multilevel and multitasking range of services, that translate into a unique and visionary “all-in-one” product.

We are the access-key to a wired, empowered, still to be challenged, global spectrum of financial tools, expertise and analytical advisory that are provided and suited to each single client. Carlo Scevola &  Partners together with very selected worldwide affiliated offices and primary financial consulting players can assist you throughout the five continents.

Our professional team can arrange a tailor made solution for all type of businesses internationally. Based on your requirements we will advise you on all your business needs from setting up to smoothly and efficiently run business. The Division is able to provide Advisory in -

- S.W.O.T. Analysis
- Pre-feasibility studies and competitive background assessments
- Revision of Company internal processes
- Business Plan drafting and editing
- Industrial Partnership Scouting and Matching
- Strategy definition and implementation
- Definition of Business Model standards tailored to the market environment, the jurisdiction and the local authorities requirements

So this is neccesary to have good strategy to get business growth and overcome from business obstacles.

Strategic Planning – Steering Your Business Effectively

Planning something is usually quite easy to do, but strategic planning, which is more effective, takes practice. Strategic planning can be defined as a business that uses a specially created approach in order to reach a certain goal. It is a planning method that is more in depth and step-by-step than general planning. Perhaps a new restaurant wants to find a way to attract more customers to their establishment. Instead of simply brainstorming ways that might help, those in charge would devise a specific step-by-step plan in order to attract more customers. An example of a restaurant business utilizing strategic planning might be offering discounts off certain meal combinations, creating different menu options and hiring a professional landscaping company to beautify the outside of the establishment.

Strategic planning, if done properly, can be a lot more effective than other planning methods. It can increase sales by boosting productivity, assist in the building of trust between customers and employees and by enable an employer to see exactly what needs to be improved in the business to attain success. Strategic planning is often an important seminar topic, because without strategic planning, it’s quite difficult to successfully change or improve anything related to business.

Strategic planning skills are especially necessary when writing business plans and proposals. If a business hopes to secure a certain loan or grant, then there needs to be strict adherence to the guidelines and submission instructions. For instance, specific funding sources often require applicants to submit very detailed documentation. If a business seeking funding is in a rush and doesn’t take the necessary time to strategically plan the completion of the application and business plan, then the applicant will likely be declined and won’t receive the necessary funding. Strategic planning isn’t difficult, but it does take time, determination and self-discipline.

In order for a company to use strategic planning to its benefit, the company must first set realistic and achievable goals, analyze the situation that they would like to change or improve, and carefully devise a method for reaching those goals. Many business owners may need to attend seminars and other training programs in order to perfect their strategic planning skills.

Fortunately, many options exist for business owner to train their employees in the art of strategic planning. The organization may choose internal training methods. However, hiring a professional speaker is often a more effective and beneficial solution. These professionals are highly trained in specific areas of expertise like strategic planning. Another more cost effective training option might be seminars on DVD. These DVD training seminars offer nearly identical content to live speakers but cost much less to implement. They can also be watched over and over again to refresh skills or train newly acquired employees.

Strategic planning is only effective with the use of other skills simultaneously. These skills include but aren’t limited to organization, self-motivation, time management and prioritizing. If all of these skills aren’t utilized at the same time, then it will be quite difficult to successfully create and implement a strategic plan. The proper organization of goals and objectives is extremely important. An employer must carefully prioritize the objectives in order to ensure that goals are achieved according to their level of importance and their ability to improve business.

Strategic planning is an extremely important business practice. It is necessary in order to ensure that things run as smoothly as possible, thereby increasing productivity in employees and the probability of repeat customers and improved sales.

Why Strategic Planning Is Best Over Tactics In Business - Explained!

If you're building a business you know that strategy replaces tactics in winning business environments. Not only it is critical to create goals based from strategic plans for 1,3,5 and 10 years or more - it's of neccesity in today's competitive fields as you might have some ideas. A perfect example of why strategic planning is so important for any start-up venture and to be more precise - for you, is because with an online strategy you've multiple options and with tactics you're limited.

Perhaps one of the best most recent examples can clearly be the business of baseball. Viewing it as an owners point of view instead of as a fan, let's remind ourselves of the last game from the Worlds Baseball Classic recently presented on TV, USA vs Puerto Rico. Boy was it fun or what? Staying with strategy and tactics in mind.

Now, if you're a baseball fan, you probably saw the shut down Puerto Rico did to the US in their very first games of the baseball world classics and you saw how Puerto Rico lost in the 9th inning last time. The second game, while many thought it was over for the US, what many will consider miracle, others thought it was just a wealth of experience. Now pausing at it for a moment!

Picture having your wholesale video games merchandise business store on eBay, your e-commerce products store on your very own website and winning by a long shot on Google, Yahoo and MSN for all of your business sites for top positional keyword results. But you still don't have your store ranking in the top 10 of Google for the keyword term "video games" and you definitely know, like me, that tactics and basic marketing 101 techniques won't cut it when it comes to landing a top 10 keyword. Especially if you know that such keyword aim and target will get you at least 50,000 monthly additional visitors for every month you stay in the top 10 results while others pay money to make money on pay-per-clicks.

So what do you do to get the store or soon-to-be online store that you want to built to get on top of one of the most valuable keywords for customers who are eager to shop your targeted products for such a short and in-demand keyword with millions of competitors? Strategy or Tactics? The easy answer is hidden on US vs Puerto Rico 9th inning. I wanted to explode when I saw the results at the end!

The game. Last inning, home team advantage for the US and Puerto Rico. Fans already having a blast eating caviar and filet mignon late at night. Your anxious, eating faster andwondering why the manager hasn't change pitcher. Pitching manager gets mental block and paralyzes himself do to possible beliefs in old-time tactics that the opponent already sees from a mile away - fear of inexperience moments.

Assure yourself of having a strategically designed map in writing. Not in your mind, since mental pictures usually dissipate in time. I've two written permanent maps in my dashboard right now for further improvement. You need to consider doing the same when it comes to starting a business or improving old sites that add financial value to your Virtual Real Estate portfolio. Then adjust as the market starts giving you signs or when certain patterns conclude that new adaptation is a must.

It really should be simple when you've done it successfully for years or when you've done it at least once. But, if you're just starting your very first business online and are tired of running the rat-race game and have decided that the bulk-load of your pension will be passive income instead of social security, think always strategically for an internet business. There is a whole lot more to learn when it comes to online business, e-commerce merchandise stores and the like. But this is a fine-good-looking reminder. Strategy, strategy, strategy!

Strategic Planning Steps For Optimum Business Management

Strategic Planning Steps Overview

The Strategic Planning Steps philosophy/business system is an organizational tool that is used by groups and corporations globally to refine their goals and maximize their resources. Drawing from the concepts of strategic military planning, the Strategic Planning process is one way in which businesses strive to attain a competitive edge. Strategic planning involves defining goals, creating an adaptable business plan and measuring core competencies of staff to increase productivity and results. The understanding and implementation of Strategic Planning Steps can significantly affect a company's ability to maximize revenue and growth. The steps have been used effectively in many fields of business, education and government to formulate productive business systems and resource management solutions.

Strategic Planning Steps Defined

While there are several different approaches to implementing Strategic Planning Steps , most models use the following definitions:

* Mission definition : The mission definition stage of Strategic Planning encourages an organization to develop a brief description of purpose to Inform potential stockholders, employees and customers what they can expect from the company. From the mission definition, a mission statement can be developed that serves as a company's calling card and core focus description.

* Vision/Trend Analysis : The next facet of Strategic Planning Steps directs a company to analyze current market trends and make committed decisions about where the business is heading. Defining long term goals and visualizing the future of the organization can help to focus current activities and important financial decisions.

* Strategic Objectives : Once long term goals have been set, the strategic objectives phase consists of formulating actual business plans to achieve the visualized goals. One acronym used frequently in this stage of Strategic Planning Steps is SMART. SMART stands for the type of objectives to be developed to fully realize the company's long term goals. These objectives include:

o S – Specific objectives

o M – Measurable objectives

o A – Achievable objectives

o R – Resource-based, realistic objectives

o T – Time-frame assessed objectives

* Critical Success Factors : Important milestones and achievements key to goal realization should be identified at the critical success factor stage of Strategic Planning. Singling out these factors provides an easy means for measuring the ongoing success of the business plan.

* Actions to be Implemented : After critical success factors have been identified, the next phase involves the development of action plans need to realize success. Specific tasks and organizations management strategies are designed to effectively implement the business plan. Task management is often defined by the core competencies required for each position in the company.

* Performance Analysis and Progress Measurement : The last of the most common steps is comprised of formulating methods by which to measure the organization's progress. Comprehensive performance analysis tools and measurement criteria are developed to effectively monitor the success of the current system. These tools can be used to report both internally and externally on the progress and growth of the company.

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Top Things To Look For In A Landscaping Company

If you’re considering investing your hard-earned money into revitalizing the outdoor landscape of your home or business, it’s important to keep in mind that not all landscaping companies are created equal. All too often, people simply choose the first company they come across, and then end up disappointed when the company they hired either can’t deliver on their promises or are troublesome to deal with. Below we list some of the things to watch out for when selecting a landscaping company to tend to your property.



Find a Company that Provides More Than Basic Maintenance

Many landscaping companies advertise themselves as full service landscapers, but do little more than standard lawn maintenance. If you’re looking for a lawn mowing service, that might suffice, but if you plan on investing a substantial amount in the beautification of your landscape as a whole, the wise choice is to choose a company that delivers on all fronts, from irrigation and lawn care to lighting, hardscapes, waterscapes and anything in between.

Find a Company that Fulfills All Your Requirements

Not only is it much simpler to work with a business who can provide all the services that you require for the job, but it just might make your wallet smile as well. Contracting separate jobs out to multiple landscapers can cost you tremendously compared with a single provider who will roll everything into a cost-saving package deal. This can greatly reduce confusion down the road if you need work corrected. With two or more separate companies involved, trying to get something fixed or corrected could turn into a nightmare, with one company blaming the other while the problem goes unresolved.

Choose a Landscaping Company with Extensive Experience

Chances are that the longer a landscaping company has been in business, the more dependable and capable they will be. Experience means a great deal when it comes to landscaping. companies that withstand the test of time demonstrate they can acquire and keep a dedicated and satisfied customer base. If their services don’t make the cut, they would not have lasted long against the competition. Each situation is unique, but a landscaping company that has only had its doors open for a year or so is a higher risk, because they have not established a proven history of reliability and quality. Another factor to consider is the cost of services. Less experienced (or less capable) landscapers will often charge less, but as with most things, you truly get what you pay for.

Credentials Do Make a Difference

Practically anyone can start their own landscaping business, but many of them will not be able to furnish credentials upon request. Licenses and certifications are a key indicator that the company is not only established, but is conscious about the need for proficiency and a continuing pursuit for excellence. A company that places high importance on the need for current certifications and licenses will ensure that personnel are both qualified and well-trained in their field, and work done for clients will be performed to exacting standards and with up-to-the-minute methods.

Of course, there may be several other factors to consider based on your personal tastes, but if you follow these guidelines, you are sure to find a landscaping company that will meet or exceed your expectations, and produce work that would make any home owner proud.