Lessons from Japan: Wooden you like to know.

I have been in Kyoto, Japan, for the past week, and one thing that keeps coming up is that stuff has been here for a long time.  Like centuries upon centuries long.  And not just things like a stone statute or wall, but buildings made of wood.  If something happens to an edifice (and with … Read more

Strategic Planning Wonderland

The King in Alice in Wonderland said, “Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”  For strategic planning, I agree with the first part, but vehemently disagree with the second.  Don’t stop!  Keep looking, moving, and revising as needed.  The world changes; your business changes.  Why shouldn’t your … Read more

Action Steps

Finally, it is time for action.  You have direction from your SMART goals; now it’s time to figure out how you are going to implement them.  Now is the time for specifics.  What needs to be done?  Use action verbs – create, attend, write, etc.  Identify exactly what – write two blog posts each week, … Read more

SMART Goals

You have your Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats, and Opportunities all plotted out, right?  It wasn’t just an exercise in creating charts.  Now you have to do something with it.  It is time to start your strategic plan.  If you don’t point your boat towards the water, you aren’t going to get there. Take a good look … Read more

SWOT Analysis

It’s the beginning of the calendar year, which means it’s a great time to look at your plan for the year.  Even if your fiscal year is already going, if you didn’t look at that plan before, do it now.  What’s that? You don’t have a strategic plan.  Well, what are you waiting for?  Someone … Read more