A strategic plan should not be confused with a business plan. Whilst a strategic plan can provide the foundation and frame work for a creating a “business plan”, they are two very different things. A strategy provides a living and breathing template for running the business, and engaging everyone one involved in the business in achieving a common goal.

A business plan is normally written to communicate with people external to a business to justify financial support or ongoing investment at a very specific point in time – they typically have very limited shelf life and can usually be found gathering dust in the top draw of the MD’s desk!

A satisfactory strategic plan must be realistic and attainable so as to allow managers and entrepreneurs to think strategically and act operationally.

Our Practical Approach to Strategic Planning

A critical review of past performance by the owners and management of a business and the preparation of a plan beyond normal budgetary horizons require a certain attitude of mind and predisposition.

Some essential points which should be observed during the review and planning process include the following:

• Relate to the medium term i.e. 2/ 4 years
• Be undertaken by owners/ directors
• Focus on matters of strategic importance
• Be separated from day- to- day work
• Be realistic, detached and critical
• Distinguish between cause and effect

The Business Doctors Strategy Day

To facilitate this for you, Business Doctors have developed a unique no nonsense planning process that cuts through the corporate bullshit and delivers a practical down to earth strategy for focusing your business for profitable growth.

This process is usually completed in a single day, and followed up with the preparation of a Strategic Review Report, reflecting back all outputs from the planning day and providing a coherent plan for implementation.

Click here to talk to your nearest Business Doctor and find out how we can achieve this for your business.

“Business Doctors gave us the ability to put in place solid business strategies to achieve and maintain our growth. We needed robust and professional advice on how to conduct our affairs during the transition from small to medium, we needed to implement processes and resources to achieve this and most importantly, we needed to ensure the business continued to run and prosper throughout the programme of change.

These major tasks were made achievable and realistic with the invaluable expert advice, supervision, guidance and support provided by Business Doctors.”

MD, Heating and Plumbing Engineering Company.

“Our first project was a strategy day with the management team. It really helped us focus on what was important to the business. It also identified our strengths and weaknesses, and from that one meeting, we now have a working strategy that was implemented and has helped us move the business forward.”

MD, Abrasives Company