We want to plan, but can't we do it next year?

There may be valid reasons for delaying the initiation of strategic planning, but you should be very cautious about doing so. First and foremost, all too frequently our clients have discovered things during the initial planning cycle that would have probably remained undiscovered in the absence of the planning process and which would have caused great damage in that event. Second, the world is not going to stop and wait for you. Windows of opportunity open and close. Third, delay can become continual.

A common cause for delay is the perception that the management team just isn’t ready for strategic planning -and that the delay will result in better planning. Sometimes this may be true; e.g. the company is recruiting a new CEO. But no company is ever going to be fully ready, and “better” planning next year is seldom really “better”.

For more thoughts on this, visit wwww.cssp.com