The Ultimate Strategic Planning Template



SWOT AnalysisWhile opportunistic ideas may bring in short-term revenues, strategic ideas drive the company closer to achieving its stated mission. Our Company’s Key Strengths: Our Company’s Biggest Weaknesses: Examples of strengths and weaknesses include:Competitive (dis)advantagesReputation, market awarenessAssets (such as equipment, cash on hand, etc.)PeopleExperienceLocationProduct qualityLicenses/accreditationsProcesses/systemsCulture/moraleKey Opportunities to Consider: Key Threats We Face/Might Face: Examples of opportunities and threats include:OpportunitiesPenetrating new markets and/or nichesCreating new programsExploiting competitors' vulnerabilitiesInvesting in employee trainingHiring new employeesModifying tacticsThreatsNew political climates or legislationNew offerings by competitorsDecreases in market demandKey populations leaving Loss of key employeesGeneral economic downturnsPursuing new partnershipsThink about and write down unique qualifications in each of the following areas. Or, how we can gain unique qualifications in these areas. We do not need to be uniquely qualified in EVERY area, but the more, the better.So, look at your big list of “Key Opportunities to Consider” above. Then, choose those opportunities that you think will give you the greatest unique ability to succeed long-term, will drive revenues and profits, and that are most attainable based on your strengths. List those opportunities below.The top Opportunities that we will execute upon include: Programs and/or Services: Do our programs have key advantages over competitors (e.g., solves needs faster or better; is less expensive to deliver, etc.)?Explain unique qualifications (then add to Strengths above): How could you gain more unique qualifications (then add to Opportunities above): Human Resources: Do staff have special skills or qualifications?Explain unique qualifications (then add to Strengths above): How could you gain more unique qualifications (then add to Opportunities above): Location: Does our physical location or website address give us a unique ability to succeed?Explain unique qualifications (then add to Strengths above): How could you gain more unique qualifications (then add to Opportunities above): Operational Systems: Do we have operational systems that allow us to outperform competitors?Explain unique qualifications (then add to Strengths above): How could you gain more unique qualifications (then add to Opportunities above): Intellectual Property (IP): Do you have intellectual property that is unique (IP can relate to several of the other areas listed here such as your products, operational system, etc.)?Explain unique qualifications (then add to Strengths above): How could you gain more unique qualifications (then add to Opportunities above): Timing: Are you the first to market in your space? Will the fact that you are first give you a long-term competitive advantage? Explain unique qualifications (then add to Strengths above): How could you gain more unique qualifications (then add to Opportunities above): Marketing: Do you have unique qualifications in marketing? Do you have marketing skill sets (e.g., salesmanship, online marketing) that give you a competitive advantage in your market? Do you have exclusive relationships (e.g., exclusive partnerships, distributors, spokesperson) that give you competitive advantage?Explain unique qualifications (then add to Strengths above): How could you gain more unique qualifications (then add to Opportunities above): Competition: Do your competitors have disadvantages (e.g., unionized workforce)? Is it difficult for competitors to enter your market (e.g., cost of entry; legal requirements to entry)? Are there things that you can do that your competitors simply cannot? Explain unique qualifications (then add to Strengths above): How could you gain more unique qualifications (then add to Opportunities above): Other: What else about your company makes you uniquely qualified to succeed?Explain unique qualifications (then add to Strengths above): How could you gain more unique qualifications (then add to Opportunities above): AssetOppBuilder?The key to the exercise is this: most people think about opportunities mostly as they pertain to growing revenues and profits. The SWOTBuilder? Exercise helped you figure out how your business can become “uniquely qualified to succeed.” The AssetOppBuilder? Exercise builds on that and forces you to think about what additional assets that, when built, will add significant long-term value to your company. Note that some assets, like developing a new product, could LOWER your annual profits, but are worth doing since longer term they will enable you to achieve your goals.Define assets within the following categories that would add significant long-term value to your organization:Customers (e.g., marquee customers, more customers): Location(s) (e.g., launching new locations): Reputation/brand (e.g., gaining more brand awareness): Employee talent (e.g., hiring, training and retaining more employees): Financial savings (e.g., figuring out ways to lower costs): Systems/processes (e.g., building systems and processes that lower costs and/or improve efficiency and/or consistency): Strategic Partnerships (e.g., gaining new partners): Add all of these opportunities to the “Key Opportunities to Consider” section above.Choosing Your TOP OpportunitiesIn the next section, you will decide upon your company’s 5-year, 1-year, quarterly and monthly goals. Importantly, in determining your 5-year and 1-year goals, you will need to prioritize the Opportunities you listed above and determine which ones to go after. So, look at your big list of “Key Opportunities to Consider” above. Then, choose those opportunities that you think will give you the greatest unique ability to succeed long-term, will drive revenues and profits, and that are most attainable based on your strengths. List those opportunities below.The top Opportunities that we will execute upon include: ................
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