Small to medium size companies need the same planning processes as do their larger competitors. Often, the need for planning is even greater in the smaller company, where the risk of being able to effectively respond to an ever-changing marketplace is limited by internal capabilities. The problem comes down to the cost effectiveness of delivering this planning expertise to a company already limited by financial and people resources. It is to this planning gap that enTarga directs its efforts.
To evaluate the level of resources needed to move the planning process forward, a self-evaluation needs to be undertaken to determine what level of internal knowledge about the planning process already exists. This effort will place individuals and the organization as a whole at one of five stages of learning. If an organization is serious about developing its ability to create its own future, there must be a way to develop a critical mass of competent people in the required knowledge areas. This requires an organizational awareness of its level of learning and the development of a learning plan to move forward. Part of the learning plan is the identification of available internal training resources and acquiring outside resources when needed. Which brings us to ...
Initiating a strategic planning process can be very scary with many new activities that can trigger internal cultural and political hot spots. It is for this reason that many companies hire a planning consultant to lead the organization through the process, not only the first time, but in succeeding annual reviews. The role the consultant plays can range from being an outside expert on planning to being actively involved with the planning results. The critical point is that the role be clearly defined up-front so as not to cause any organizational confusion during the planning period. If necessary, the role can shift as different needs arise during the planning process. Ideally, the outside consultant can team with someone inside the organization to guide the planning team through the process together. The possible roles of the Planning Consultant are:
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Last modified: August 22, 2005