Rich Horwath, the founder of the Strategic Thinking Institute and author of “Deep Dive” compares corporate business planning to personal life planning. According to statistics based upon research conducted by Harris Interactive, as well as his own, only 15 percent of those surveyed had a written plan for their life, and of the executives queried 82 percent said they had a written strategic plan for their business, but only 22 percent had a life plan.
Citing another survey of 1.7 million employees by Gallup, only 20 percent felt that their jobs matched up with their strengths. Horwath also presents research published in the Harvard Business Review identifying the number one cause of bankruptcy: the absence of a plan.
He uses this information to support his five-step thesis for life-changing success, both personal and professional:
He also suggests that the age old corporate SWOT analysis is applicable to individuals just as it is to companies. So is developing a mission statement, strategies, and tactics — basically – a personal strategic plan.
Horwath concludes, that if a company does not have a strategic plan today, they may not have a business tomorrow. The same thing applies personally because without a life/career plan that allows you to work at what you enjoy, you can easily become part of the 80 percent whose job does not match up with their strengths.
The obvious consequence is that life is awfully long if you are working at something you don’t like to do. Nor, will you be able to maximize your earnings potential.
Your career plan is your personal business plan. Horwath offers his StrategyPrint template readers at www.strategyskills.com, and explains how to use it in the book.
He suggests that it is important as you develop strategy for your life to have a regular tune-up, like corporations do with their quarterly reviews, to identify what’s changing around you and adjust your strategies accordingly.
The author closes with some haunting questions for the reader:
While many books have been written on career planning, few have compared the process to strategic business planning. It is a helpful and quick read for CEOs and their employees alike, one that should motivate both to ask — what’s the plan?
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
