TKG Strategic

At times, life hands us an unexpected turn of events. We never saw it coming and weren’t prepared for it. For example, many people are currently unemployed in this economy who have never faced that problem before and never thought they would. On a personal level, it requires one to look at all options, resources, and support. It requires a redefinition of personal goals and strategies. It is the same for business. If the economy is handing you an unexpected turn of events, it’s a good time to do some strategic planning. I can facilitate the process for you. Just contact me!

When one is away from the normal work environment and doesn’t have a lot of interruptions or distractions, it is amazing what ideas develop. Over the holidays, I had many discussions with a family member who was taking a long trip.  As he traveled from site to site, he had many hours to think about business opportunities and strategic initiatives.  The ideas flowed and will be captured as we update a strategic plan for the New Year when he gets back to his business! 

 That is an example of the creativity that flows when a business dedicates the time to the strategic planning process!  It always amazes me how challenges that initially seem to be insurmountable, are addressed and resolved with the strategic plan. 

 Try it yourself!  It’s truly rejuvenating!  Just contact me today!

Happy New Year in 2009!  May this year be a wonderful year of many new beginnings and successes for each of you in whatever dreams you have!  As you write your New Year’s resolutions, be sure to include the development and/or updating of your business strategic plan!  I can help you with the process.  Just contact me today! 

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and that your gifts were just what you wanted!

One of the many joys of the holiday season is getting together with family and friends. 

While many of us have faced challenging times with the slow economy, the crazy weather patterns, and job losses, we often find support from those close to us.  Often they will offer advice or suggestions to try to help us out. 

The same thing is true of our business “family”.  When the normal course of business changes, it’s time for the team to take a new approach to the situation and write a new plan of action.  Those close to the business, whether they are owners, employees, customers, vendors, or caring friends, have much to offer during a discussion of the business direction.  Strategic planning captures their input and sets the new course of action. 

If you want to start the New Year off with a new plan, just contact me today!

It only takes a new baby coming to the family to get everyone thinking ahead! When is this baby coming? What are we going to do with the other children? Who is going to be here to help out? Will the husband take time off work? What will the other kids need to keep up with their schooling or other activities? It takes a lot of planning to be ready when the new little bundle arrives!

That is much the same thing for a small business. Planning for contingencies is an important part of every business. The contingencies may include growth of the business through a new business line, or it may include implementing safety plans for particular occurrences. It may include planning for slow economic times, or it may include compliance with new laws and regulations. No matter what the topic is, it requires some planning and preparation to meet the challenge.

The beauty of strategic planning is that it pulls the “family” together to identify the challenges and also to address the resolution of them. Are you prepared for that “new baby”? Contact me today for the strategic preparation!

Whew! There are so many preparations at this time of the year it’s hard to imagine how to fit everything into the calendar. If your calendar is like mine, there aren’t enough lines on the page for all the things that need attention on any given day. Amidst this hectic schedule, we find that our regular routine may get less attention.

If you have the flexibility to shift your attention to some other items at this time of the year, it is a good time to try the strategic planning on the wiki. This approach allows everyone to provide input as it fits their schedule within the expected time parameters defined by the team. In addition, it allows for progress on a business item at a time when employees may have a hard time concentrating on regular tasks. Strategic planning draws on creativity and changes in normal routine are often conducive to more creative thinking by individuals. If you want to give it a try, just contact me today!

Technology …. technology….technology…. Who can run a small business without the use of technology today? Whether you use a computer for specific business processes, obtaining inventory online, or just use email to communicate to clients or vendors, you will be using technology and you will want to learn about applications that can make your business more efficient.

One example of a newer technology is a wiki (wiki is Hawaiian meaning “really quick”). Wikis are really easy-to-edit applications that allow multiple contributors on a single page, typically include version tracking, and can easily be used as an Intranet or Portal. We can use a wiki to do your strategic planning! Contact me today to start your strategic plan and find out how a wiki will work for you!

If you saw me shopping today, you would have known that I was “on a mission”. That mission was to find the perfect birthday gift for someone special in the family and get it wrapped and shipped in time for their birthday. Because the date is close, I had to get the purchase done today.

“Being on a mission” is much like having a Mission Statement for your business. The brief statement provides clarity as to what you do in your business and who you serve. It tells your employees, clients, vendors, and other related parties exactly what your business is.

The Mission Statement is not complex or lengthy. In a new business, it helps clarify the purpose of the business and is part of the strategic planning process. “Be on your mission” and contact me today to develop your strategic plan!

Have you ever found yourself walking into a room and wondering why you were there?  I have!  I have to stop and think back to what I was doing and thinking that brought me to the point I’m at.  Then I can remember what I wanted in that room.

I know this has happened to you too!  It often means that we are too busy!  We have too much on our mind.  And that is often what the mind of a person is like when they have a new business idea.  There is so much flying around in their head that they can’t remember all the things they need to do, get, arrange, set up, develop, and so forth.  When one item comes up to their mental list, so do all the related items and it becomes mind boggling.

Your strategic plan puts order to the items. It takes all the processes for the development and maintenance of a business out of the minds of the owners and employees and puts them into one logical, and doable plan.  And it’s exciting to do! Contact me today so we can get started now!

It seems like everyone’s business is affected by the current economic situation in the country. If the normal flow of business has slowed down for you, it doesn’t have to be all bad news! It’s the perfect time to focus on those items on the “to do” list that never get done at other times like the development of a strategic plan!

We can make excellent use of this time and it will pay off quickly for you now and when things pick up again! Check your schedule and let me know if I can pencil you in to get that plan done! Contact me today!