1. Implementing the
Strategic Plan:
Getting Companies to
Walk the Talk
Presented by:
Wm. (Chip) Valutis, PhD
Principal, Valutis Consulting, Inc.

2. Strategic Planning
What it “should” be:
A continuous, systematic process in
which people make decisions about
intended future outcomes, how
outcomes are to be accomplished,
and how success is measured and
evaluated.

3. 1. A two day retreat that generates
great ideas, but they are quickly
overshadowed by the daily fires,
political games, and/or employees
who don’t want anything new/different
when you return to work.
Strategic Planning
What it Often Becomes:

4. 2. An edict from the
President as to what
people had better start
doing if they expect the
company to stay alive or
intend to keep their jobs.
3. An interesting idea
presented by some
“guru” at a conference
that will get filed under
“Not Applicable to MY
Business” as soon as
you return to the office.
Strategic Planning
What it Often Becomes Cont’d:

5. Reasons Companies fail to
Walk the Talk
1. Neglect to establish the
prerequisites for change
and planning.
2. Lack of an integrated
approach to planning
3. Poor or incomplete planning process

6. Prerequisites for Successful
Strategic Planning:
1. Awareness
2. Motivation
3. Ability
4. Opportunity
5. Feedback & Reward

7. Prerequisite #1:
Build Awareness
• Will employees know the plan exists?
• Can they understand what it means?
• Can you ensure the plan clarifies the
end, the beginning and the means?
• Are you prepared to link across
levels?

8. Prerequisite #2:
Check for Motivation
• Do employees care?
• Will Motivation be internally or
externally generated?
• Are there consequences?
• Is motivation self-sustaining? If
not, how can we keep it going?
blog.mapconsulting.com

9. Prerequisite #3:
Assess Abilities
• Can employees do what is expected of them?
• Is the raw talent available? Are the necessary
skills trainable?
• Has the workforce/organization been
prepared?
• Do systems support your efforts?

10. Prerequisite #4:
Create Opportunities
• Are there opportunities to get
involved?
• Is there appropriate influence in
the planning process?
• Does your structure match or
support the plan?
• Is initiative welcomed?
• Are parameters known &
consistently followed?
m4bmarketing.com

11. Prerequisite #5:
Prepare to Provide Feedback &
Consequences
• How are results measured and impact known?
• Is feedback accurate and is it valued?
• Do employees see a clear connection to
results/rewards?
• Is there accountability?

12. Top Down Bottom Up
Customized
Integration
An Integrated Approach

13. Positives Aspects of
Top Down Planning:
• Provides a very focused effort
• Easier to control and implement
• Tends to fit existing paradigm/structure
• Can create faster results (survival needs)
http://www.wpclipart.com

14. Negative Aspects of
Top Down Planning:
• Limited buy-in, understanding or
commitment from employees
• “It’s not my job” mindset
• Encourages employees to “check their brain
at the door.”
• Builds unhealthy dependency on a select
few; limits long-term growth
http://www.wpclipart.com

15. Positive Aspects of
Bottom Up Planning:
• Creates a sense of involvement and purpose
• Encourages responsibility, accountability and
entrepreneurship
• Elicits citizenship behavior
• Stimulates innovation, creativity and change

16. Negative Aspects of
Bottom Up Planning:
• Takes longer and often delivers
inconsistent results
• Reduces accountability and
consequences
• Creates a “warm fuzzy,” but not results
• Get bad decisions faster

17. Goals of Customized Integration
• Fits the needs of the business
• Fits the needs/abilities of the
workforce
• Is adaptable to changes in both
• Promotes development &
change
achievedstrategies.com

18. Components of an Effective
Strategic Planning Process
1. A Plan to Plan
2. Clear Mission, Purpose & Values
3. Ten-year Vision
4. Three-year Strategic Objectives
5. Annual Tactical Plan
6. Action Plans and Timetables
7. Roll-out, Monitor & Measure

19. Concluding Thoughts
• Successful planning requires preparation,
commitment and discipline
• Plans are nothing - planning is everything
• Walk the talk

20. Valutis Consulting is a full service management consultant firm.
Our approach is to investigae and understand organizational
issues, customize realistic solutions, and design practical
strategies to move clients toward their specific business and
personal goals. Our mission is to help our clients unlock the
potential of their organization and its people.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to schedule an
appointment to discuss your organization’s needs and how we can
help.
(716)634-2553
CHIP@VALUTISCONSULTING.COM
www.valutisconsulting.com - website
www.the4thquarterman.com - blog