Originally published 12/4/2016. Updated on 7/15/21. For business owners and leaders, strategic planning is the time to reflect on the past year, examine the competitive landscape, explore possible initiatives, and set goals. But the idea of strategic planning can feel overwhelming - especially if you don't have a good process and method for facilitation. So what does a good process look like? And what pitfalls should you avoid?
A company comes to life through the words and actions of their people. To create a specific and unique environment, great care and organizational design are critical elements for culture to align and flow through the people.
Generation Theory Generation Theory allows us to take what is billions of people in the world and create understanding and meaning through classification. So what do we gain by dividing people into categories? We get a general understanding of how each group of people tend to communicate, lead, and make decisions, as well as what motivates them. Understanding these common characteristics can help business owners gain a deeper understanding of how to target and sell to certain favorable individuals, and how to attract and retain talent within each generation. Traditionally, we have classified generations by age in an effort to find meaning and create this targeting. However, a noteworthy trend continues to emerge - one which we would be wise to pay attention to.
In our hearts, we believe culture matters. Organizations that cultivate a positive culture around a set of shared values recognize it as a powerful driver of engagement, which has been linked to better financial performance. (See article)
For years, I have attempted to add vitamins to the daily cadence of my life. I’ve read the articles, been blasted with statistics about women, health, and the need to add these supplements to my diet; and I truly do want to be better, faster, stronger, and healthier for today and into the future.
