Najera Consulting Group, Inc. » Strategic Thinking Process

The Top Four Reasons Strategies Fail – Part 3

Posted by: Gabriel Najera In: The Najera Notion 2 comments Tags: Business Planning, Frame of Reference, Leadership, Strategic Thinking Process, Strategy, Vision

We wrap up our series on “The Top Four Reasons Strategies Fail” by discussing Reason #3: The barriers to strategy execution have not been identified and properly dealt with. And, Reason #4: Most organizations do not have a clear succinct strategy document.

In part 1 we referred to to a poll of consultants conducted by Walter Kiechel of Fortune magazine that claimed 10% of all strategies are successfully implemented. Management guru Tom Peters referred to that 10% figure as being “widely inflated! What’s going on?

The Top Four Reasons Strategies Fail – Part 2

Posted by: Gabriel Najera In: The Najera Notion 1 comment Tags: Business Planning, Frame of Reference, Leadership, Strategic Thinking Process, Strategy

In part 1 of “The Top Four Reasons Strategies Fail” we proposed a lists of what strategy “is not” for setting some helpful boundaries on the meaning of strategy. By setting aside what may mistakenly be called strategy, we can now focus on the potential power of the main concept.

In part 2 of “The Top Four Reasons Strategies Fail” we’ll further examine what strategy really means and discuss reason #2: The strategic planning process focuses more on the development of the strategic plan and less on its execution.

Change in Challenging Times

Posted by: John L. Estrada In: The Najera Notion 1 comment Tags: Business Planning, Challenges, Leadership, Strategic Thinking Process, Strategy

The new CEO was only into his first year when his company hit some quarterly financial challenges. One of his internal confidants and chief of staff was extremely supportive, trying to be resourceful and a good sounding board. The CEO said he had this “under control.”

Then he turned to his underling and said he was coached earlier in his career by his outgoing CEO at another firm. He said here’s what you do when you have major decisions to make under challenging times. Read more…

Tuesday’s Tool of the Trade – Brainstorming

Posted by: Gabriel Najera In: The Najera Notion 4 comments Tags: Brainstorming, Business Tools, Consulting Tools, Ideas, Problem Solving, Solving problems, Strategic Thinking Process

The First in a Series of DIY Consulting Tools We’ll be Sharing Every Other Tuesday!

Brainstorming is a tool you can use to list as many ideas as possible in a short period of time. Teams often use it because it encourages active participation from all team members. This tool will help a team think about and list all dimensions of a problem or solution. Read more…

Time is Money: The 3 Different Approaches to Strategic Planning

Posted by: Gabriel Najera In: The Najera Notion 1 comment Tags: Business Planning, Strategic Thinking Process, Strategy

“The marvelous thing about lack of planning is that failure comes as a complete and utter surprise.”

– Peter Green

One of the biggest challenges organizations face is making the commitment to develop a well thought out strategic plan. “Are you kidding me!” they’ll say. “Who has the time do a strategic plan with so much work to do?” Instead they wander into the work place and react to crises. And ironically, most crises are a result of their failure to plan! So why don’t more organizations engage in strategic planning? Lack of time is one reason. Another may be confusion over the strategic planning process itself.

Even if your business commits the time to develop a strategic plan, you may be unaware that there are different approaches to Strategic Planning. Depending on the size of your organization and the desired outcomes for the planning process, there is a strategic planning process that is right for you.

“Strategic planning is the strategic thinking process whose outcome is clarifying the purpose of the business, where the business wants to be in the future and the choices the business will make to get there.”

– Najera Consulting

First off, what exactly is Strategic Planning? While there are countless definitions as to what strategic planning is, Najera Consulting defines strategic planning as the strategic thinking process whose outcome is clarifying the purpose of the business, where the business wants to be in the future and the choices the business will make to get there. Read more…