Paul Revere's Message Was Crystal Clear - Is Yours?- Four Questions To Consider

Paul Revere's Message Was Crystal Clear - Is Yours?-  Four  Questions To Consider

Smart Business Thinking by Jim Whelan

“Writing, the art of communicating thoughts to the mind through the eye, is the great invention of the world.” President Abraham Lincoln 

What is the purpose of your communications?

BUSINESS CARD

While visiting my ophthalmologist, I looked at her business card. The phone number print is so small to be a challenge to good eyesight. Is the card’s purpose to attract clients? I’m curious as to how useful it is for people with eyesight problems.

Of course my more cynical friends claim its purpose is to have potential clients convinced they need her services.

Have you looked at your communication material to see if it is in sync with your intended audience?

CEREAL BOX

The cereal box proclaims “Gluten Free”. Curious, I read the back for more information and learn “Gluten Free” means the cereal “contains no gluten”.

Not a startling message to me, but then the message isn’t aimed at me. The audience is the shopper. Apparently, the buyer’s concern is that the consumer – kids? – will not be affected by gluten. 

When was the last time you checked your site message’s effectiveness?

WEB SITE

Visited the web site of local service provider to find out the cost of a standard service provided by many others in the community. Searching every corner of the site there is no price list to be found.

Prominently displayed is the owner’s email address inviting everyone with a question to submit it. The email was returned because it is not an active address. On to a different provider.

Are you a straight shooter when communicating with your employees and customers?

DOUBLE SPEAK

Many times double speak is used to gloss over unfavorable news. One of the US automakers before the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) used the term “Career Alternative Enhancement Program” when it laid off 5,000 workers.

Bottom Line?

Are you communicating with your audiences in your world or theirs? A second look may not hurt.

Jim is an expert business coach and a respected advisor management and financial executives. He draws on his long-term business leadership background to help CEOs grow revenue, increase profits, improve performance.

 

Warning Your Strategic Plan May Be Out Of Date

Warning Your Strategic Plan May Be Out Of Date

Smart Business Thinking by Jim Whelan 

In the current shifting environment everyone is living through, we at Smart Business Thinking are asked the question how often clients should review their strategic plan. A sensible question for businesses and for individuals.

Here in the metro Washington DC area many firms are struggling with the effect of reduced government spending. If it is going to affect their company how badly will it hurt? Contributing to the upheaval is a strategic plan that is based on the “old way we did business”.

If there were a strategy that was the basis for the plan, most likely, it didn't consider that the past might not reflect the future. While no one should try to predict the future in developing a strategy, an observation about what may come down the pike is necessary.

The answer to the question is that any business (or individual) should periodically survey what is going on in the “outside world”. Look for potential storm clouds on the horizon and think of possible future changes.

Major shifts seldom happen without some forewarning. With the winding down of the wars and the move afoot to reduce government spending, the change in government related business should not be a shock. Those organizations that relied on their old strategic plan for direction are now playing a desperate game of catch up.

Don't get caught. Be alert and rethink strategy periodically.

Bottom Line? A strategy is the overriding impetus guiding an organization. Implementing strategy must be flexible and one that adjusts to current circumstances. An eagle eye to spot those signals is a must. 

Jim is an expert business coach and a respected advisor management and financial executives. He draws on his long-term business leadership background to help CEOs grow revenue, increase profits, improve performance.

Do We Need A Strategic Plan?

Do We Need A Strategic Plan?

Smart Business Thinking by Jim Whelan

"In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable." 
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)

A common question we at Smart Business Thinking are asked is whether or not a strategic plan is really necessary. A very good question and an important one, too, for anyone working toward building a successful business.

Focus on the Eisenhower quote. It’s not the end result of a written plan that is the key ingredient. The thought process of deciding the ultimate target and how to achieve it is the way to win the battle.

So let’s think about strategic thinking (strategy) rather than a strategic plan. Strategic thinking focuses on the core purpose of the business and possible ways you can reach that objective.

I’ve had a successful business owner maintain he has never had a strategic plan. Yet when he spoke to a group about building a business, it is clear he has strategically thought through why he is in business and developed a process in his mind that is an effective strategy.

Although the plan isn’t written down, it exists in his mind and his company is following the strategy.

Returning to the question: Is a strategic plan really necessary?

Necessary? Not if we agree with General Eisenhower . But we must assume there is a strategy developed after careful consideration of the ultimate objective and includes means of achieving the goal.

Desireable? For most I believe it is. As long as it reflects the analysis and results-oriented thinking used to develop the strategy. It can be a communication tool providing all understand it is subject to revision as conditions change

Bottom Line? A strategy is the overriding impetus guiding an organization. Implementing strategy must be flexible that adjusts to current circumstances. Be careful not to get caught in the strategic plan web.

Jim is an expert business coach and a respected advisor management and financial executives. He draws on his long-term business leadership background to help CEOs grow revenue, increase profits, improve performance.