I am often asked about what a good strategy report looks like – the kind you would submit to your Board and then use to guide your organization for the coming years. I have seen this done well by a number of organizations, and done poorly by even more. But, recently I had a chance to work with a group – Health Care for the Homeless in Baltimore – which I think has done an … [Read more...] about What Does a Great Strategy Report Look Like?
strategic planning
Laser Focus
I have been looking over a bunch of strategic plans for nonprofits recently, and one huge thing jumps out at me – No Focus! Your strategy should provide you with Laser Focus. This is why the cornerstone of the strategy process I use with nonprofits is their three – five strategic goals for the next five years. And then, after SWOT analysis, we add the strategic themes … [Read more...] about Laser Focus
Strategy vs. GSD
I have a good friend who recently posted this quote from Southwest Airlines Founder, Herb Kelleher, on Facebook: “We Have a Strategic Plan: It’s Called Doing Things.” This is funny. But if you know anything about Herb – it is also tongue in cheek. His brilliant strategy for Southwest has produced record-breaking profits for the airline for decades. So, he surely has … [Read more...] about Strategy vs. GSD
Strategy is “Like” a Theme Song
Can you hum the theme song for Hawaii Five-O? How about Mission Impossible? I bet you can and, if you can whistle, I’ll also bet that you can whistle the tune to The Andy Griffith Show. Can the people in your organization explain your strategy as effortlessly as they can hum the Hawaii Five-O theme song? I suggest that should be your goal. And when they explain it, … [Read more...] about Strategy is “Like” a Theme Song
Sleepwalking Through SWOTs
SWOT analysis – analyzing the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of an organization – is usually not done well. I often feel as if organizations are just sleepwalking through the process. I think this is because so many people look at this as a mechanical and analytical process while it should be spirited and creative. Examples: “I think our #1 Weakness … [Read more...] about Sleepwalking Through SWOTs