We design and facilitate near-term and longer range business planning processes as well as help prepare corporate strategic plans. Our areas of expertise include corporate strategic plan facilitation and development, business unit strategies and plans, brand and new market entry strategies, channel strategies and sales go-to-market strategies.

We employ a participative approach, which fully utilizes client knowledge and expertise, and ensures ownership and commitment throughout the organization.

Strategic Plan Facilitation and Development

Strategic planning determines where an organization is going over the next several years and how it's going to get there. It builds consensus and commitment to the organization’s objectives across functional lines, it clearly defines and communicates long term strategies which provide the parameters for decision making at all levels throughout the organization, it guides the allocation of resources and continuous improvement efforts throughout the organization and it is a measurement of the organization’s overall performance and of specific functional performance. We use a goals-based planning model which focuses on the organization's Vision, Core Values, Mission, Goals, Environmental Assumptions, SWOT Analysis, Critical Success Factors, Strategies and Action plans. (who will do what and by when). We suggest Strategic Plans cover a three year horizon with annual updates. For financial purposes, e.g., capital expenditures, a five-year or even longer planning period can be used. The Strategic Plan should be a “live” or “working document” that is routinely monitored. Far more important than the strategic planning document is the strategic planning process itself. In order to guard against producing a document that ends up collecting dust on the shelf, we employ a thorough “end-to-end” , highly disciplined, five step process. This ensures achievement of a company’s desired outcomes.

This process is outlined below:

Channel Strategy Development

We develop channel strategies and plans designed to align with consumer purchase behavior, channel importance and the opportunity to drive profitable sales growth. We typically begin with a comprehensive assessment of channel characteristics, growth opportuities, competitive environment, organizational alignment, resource deployment, trading practices and financial dynamics across channels. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of potential return on resource investment, retailer channel dynamics, consumer shopping practices and importantly, the identification of business opportunities by channel.

New Market Entry Strategies and Plans

We develop strategies and plans for companies entering the US market and for US companies entering new markets in developed and emerging countries. Our typical approach involves a four phase process which is outlined below:

Executive Resource

In addition to our role as a facilitator and developer of business strategies, we are frequently asked by clients to share our perspective regarding future trends, the potential impact of these trends on their businesses and how they should respond to maintain or increase competitive advantage.