how to write a foreword for a strategic plan

Corporate For example, a substance abuse prevention coalition is trying to keep teens from starting to drink or use drugs, and proving the coalitions methods work is often difficult to quantify. <> Instead of a strategic plan, this area would fall under project management. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'tckpublishing_com-medrectangle-1','ezslot_3',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tckpublishing_com-medrectangle-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'tckpublishing_com-medrectangle-1','ezslot_4',142,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tckpublishing_com-medrectangle-1-0_1'); .medrectangle-1-multi-142{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}Copyright 2022 by TCK Publishing. While writing your strategic plan, you should think about how to share it. After you come up with your goals and objectives, you need to figure out who will do what, how you will market what they do, and how you will pay for what you need to do. They should also be memorable, specific, and ambitious. The plan to publish "Our Journey Together" came together quickly, after Ms. Craighead had already selected a book agent and negotiated a contract to publish her own book and secured a . A nonprofit has to make the community care about its cause. You can use many models and formats to create your strategic plan (read more about them in this article). Strategic planning, also called strategy development or analysis and assessment, requires attention to detail and should be performed by someone who can follow through on next steps and regular updates. For example, KPMG only hires staff who are qualified to offer services for large corporate and big government customers. Focus on one strategy at a time. You can choose from many templates to help you write this section. Then let your strategic planning committee review it. Connect everyone on one collaborative platform. I would spontaneously go about saying how about we do this/how about we do that. All Rights Reserved Smartsheet Inc. Thanks for reading, Susan. Then you could draft up their words into a foreword, and ask them to just tweak and sign off. endobj The following are illustrative examples of a strategy plan. Schools often have set boundaries, missions, and budgets. It tells you and your team where you're going as a company and how to get there. Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor. This form of planning includes: a) Taking a wide look around at what's going on outside the organization and how it might affect the organization (an environmental scan), and identifying opportunities and threats b) Taking a hard look at what's going on inside the organization, including its strengths and weaknesses (perhaps doing a SWOT analysis) As it does within a business, this statement will help guide you in making future decisions. List down all the key factors that can affect the effective implementation of the nursing strategic plan. 7 0 obj The post was very helpful because I was asked by the PhD students i supervised to write a foreword for her book. Many strategic plans arent strategic, or even plans. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In the context of changing global trends and increasing competition in higher education, we considered it a priority to further strengthen our academic development and research as well as student development. But then you become aware that some of the employees are also owners, and the complexity grows. Objective 1: Increase client satisfaction from 82.0% to 90.0% by December 31st. endobj A Gantt chart can help you map out and keep track of these initiatives. Before you even start writing the book, it is important that you ask the . [3] The goals can be broad, but dont forget to include action items and timeframes to help you reach your goals. Include the plan in new employee onboarding. This dynamic perspective encourages openness, innovation and a preparedness to change. Strategic Plan Example: Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics. A strategic plan is the end result of an intentional planning effort. Now that you understand how it works best, you can move forward to the next phase of your book writing: preparing the front matter and moving closer to publishing! Its really the concept of what the intention of the terms are [that is important], says Denise McNerney, President and CEO of iBossWell, Inc., and incoming president of the Association for Strategic Planning (ASP). A good example of this is a one-page strategic plan for the whole school approach. You should include the following sections: An execution plan that identifies who manages and monitors the plan, An evaluation plan that shows how you plan to measure the successes and setbacks that come with implementation. Some organizations just have one., If you choose to have only one statement, McNerney offers some advice: Any statement you have, if you have just one, needs to include what [you do], how [you do it], why [you do it], and who you do it for., During the planning process, these key statements might change. Looking too far ahead can be daunting, especially for a new or changing company. Stockmal also says performance indicators cannot focus on only one thing at the detriment of another. In this example, your objectives could be: Approach three new possible clients each month. 13 0 obj endobj Establish Your Strategic Position. Every company is unique. How are matters inside your company? Once it adopted the six-step method, these outcomes were identified as reducing employee turnover and increasing productivity and innovation. Metrics were developed to monitor these, and targets were set before moving on. Thats for so called second-tier accounting firms. <> Key performance indicators (KPIs) can show you how your business is progressing. Sometimes, its a good idea to hire an external party to help facilitate the strategic planning process. However, you will likely need to include some basic sections, regardless of the particular method you choose (even if the order and way you present them vary). You will learn how the foreword helps establish credibility for the author and the book. Forward Foreword is always a noun that refers to comments made before the actual text (usually in a book) and most commonly by someone who is not the author. A colleague asked me to write a foreward and I had no idea where to start. Organizations which practice this system-design approach to strategic planning turn out to be gob-smackingly great. 1 0 obj A strategic plan is essential for every business. Every organization is slightly different.. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Are you satisfied? How to develop a winning strategyand put it to work. It should be relatively easy to write. As a research-led university we shall continue to engage in cutting-edge research, especially in those interdisciplinary areas identified as our strengths, not only to make an intellectual impact internationally but also to benefit humankind in addressing challenges and societal needs locally, regionally and globally. endstream Franziskas book shows how that message can support you in running your life and business based on courage, love, and kindness instead of fear. Breaking down the process further, some strategic planners use the terms strategies and tactics to label ways to achieve objectives. :), Your email address will not be published. They look ok on my end but let me know if youre having trouble viewing them. After you introduce yourself, share how you got to know the author. Each section of a book has its own purpose and goals, from the front matter to the appendix. Most organizations do a three- to five-year plan now because they recognize the technology and the changes in business that are pretty dynamic now, Stockmal says. That work falls on the shoulders of the suburban accountant. Then there are finances. So, take your time here to clearly define your target customer. your key stakeholders. Also, do not ignore negative information you may learn. They describe how you will measure the progress needed to arrive at the destination you outlined in the goal. Most books do not need a foreword. See how our customers are building and benefiting. She uses a basic diagram that she calls the strategic plan architecture. The strategic themes attest to our commitment to achieve excellence through our core functions of creation, dissemination and exchange of knowledge, as well as our duty to engage stakeholders and the community. The more that people feel they play an important part in the organizations success, they more successful you will be in reaching your goals of your strategic plan. Create Awesome Documents and Visuals With Template.net. Also called an elevator pitch, the company description is a brief outline of your organization and what it does. In addition to a SWOT analysis and other sections that go into any strategic plan, a nonprofit needs to keep an eye on changing factors, such as funding. Below the red dotted line are the implementation pieces. They function as a description of where you want to go, and they can address both the short and long term. Identify Strategic Position and Goals. You should create a layout that can make the document look presentable, well-arranged, and organized. If employees cannot accurately articulate what you do to others, you might miss out on opportunities. 7. The fourth step is to identify what these stakeholder groups want from you. iBossWell, Inc.s McNerney reiterates that there are not hard and fast definitions for the terms goals and objectives, as well as many other strategic planning concepts. The foreword, which is usually written by an industry expert or influential figure for someone elses book, can help establish the authors credibility. Transmittal Certificate; Foreword; ACT Public Service at a glance; About the Report . Ourperformanceisonan Question: Is it necessary for the person writing your foreword to sate the city and state where they live? You need to make sure someone is good, so there needs to be a vetting process, he says. This process takes time and reflection. Write the first paragraph in an engaging manner. But, these 26 questions should help you to take a critical look at what you have written, and help you fine-tune your foreword. Once you've identified a path forward, you'll need a framework in place to help carry it out. It provides additional information or insight about the book or the author. Identify your key competitors, and define what you see as their strengths and weaknesses. Some writers describe their first meeting, or their first impression of the author. I would like to thank, in particular, the Council for approving the Strategic Plan and taking up the responsibility for overseeing and monitoring its implementation. Strategic Planning first made a significant appearance on the radar screen of managers in the early 1970's. However, when it first appeared as an organizational technique, the concept of strategic planning was received with considerable skepticism from some corners. In order to implement these strategic aims, we need to develop an enabling environment in which our human, financial and physical resources are appropriately allocated and deployed to help us attain sustainable excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange. Once you know what is important to you, come up with a personal mission statement that reflects the values you cherish. Download University Strategic Plan Outline Word. Mission statements show why a business exists, while vision statements are meant to inspire and provide direction. In this section, also include your SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. Move faster, scale quickly, and improve efficiency. Take out jargon like world class, best possible, state of the art, maximize, succeed, and so on, and cut vague or unspecific phrasing. He always writes summaries last, after he has all the data and information he needs for the plan. Phase 2: Implement a strategic planning framework to guide the plan's management and execution. Lets take a moment to discuss how a foreword differs from the preface. Do not take shortcuts in the research phase that will lead to bad information coming out further in the process. What is a Foreword? Think about what they want and need, as well as how you can provide it. Report: Empowering Employees to Drive Innovation, The Difference Between Mission and Vision Statements, How to Write Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives, How to Write about Capacity, Operations Plans, Marketing Plans, and Financial Plans, Writing Different Types of Strategic Plans, How to Write a Strategic Plan for a Nonprofit, How to Write a Strategic Plan for a School, How to Write a Departmental Strategic Plan, How to Write a Strategic Plan for a Project, Improve Strategic Planning with Real-Time Work Management in Smartsheet, Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement, Focuses what your organization does today, Focuses on what you want your company to become, Should not change often since it is linked to companys foundation. Focus on the ones that allow you to zero in on what is critical for your companys success. This exercise will help you clarify your values. All Rights Reserved. We are investing to build a better future for the Hong Kong, regional and global communities. How will we interact with others as a company? Package your entire business program or project into a WorkApp in minutes. The foreword of the preface is to discuss the relationship between the author and his book. This is also where you can remind your readers what they can get out of the book. Its important for facilitators to lead by asking questions, Bryson says. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dont feel pressured to put anything and everything into this section executive summaries should only be about one to two pages long and include the main points of the strategic plan. It can even involve immersing yourself in the stakeholder experience by going through it, e.g. Not everyone has a vision statement, McNerney says. Align campaigns, creative operations, and more. Copyright 2016 Lingnan University. endobj You can take many approaches to the process and consider differing ideas about what needs to go into it, but some general concepts stand. Flattery has no room in the foreword. Focus on specific key initiatives and actions for your function. Take the case of a recent client of mine, an architectural firm. A SWOT analysis on yourself will give you some honest feedback if you let it. We would all like to accomplish every goal, but sometimes we do not have enough money to do so. Here are some tips to help you write an effective foreword: Here are some excerpts of forewords written by influential people for lesser-known authors: This Christian nonficiton book on prayer has a foreword written by Mike Bickle, founder of the International House of Prayer-Kansas City, a very appropriate person to comment on the subject. Its like drawing a map for your company. The answers to this question help you outline the many routes you can take to achieve your vision and match your strengths with opportunities in the market. 1. A financial plan can help you set your priorities. What You Will Learn 1. Manage campaigns, resources, and creative at scale. Theyre so used to thinking operationally rather than strategically that putting self first seems like heresy. Section 10: Marketing Plan. The same group of stakeholders can occupy more than one role. In this post, well take a look at how to write a foreword if youve been asked to write one for a book, plus real foreword examples. A foreword is a short introductory portion of a non-fiction book, typically written by someone other than the author. Its more like a dog chasing its tail. <> This problem is the lack of an effective method a systematic or established procedure to undertake something, step by step. No, KPMG targets large corporates and big government. 2. After extensive consultations with various stakeholders of the University, a new Strategic Plan for 2016-2022 has been formulated. We call on the continued support of the entire University community to make this plan a success. apply and produce professional results in his/her own field. It establishes the direction a company is going to take by considering its goals and objectives. This is actually quite effective. Its just what works for your organization. You need to find the balance between the process and the final product. The first step of any strategic planning starts with . Your team should be able to easily understand and repeat the companys vision statement. How to Write a Foreword in 5 Steps Writing a foreword is simple and straightforward for someone who knows your book and feels a real connection to it and to you. It has been said that the shortest distance between two points is clarity, and this strategic planning cycle brings about clarity. :), Awesome! 8 0 obj We would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed to the various stages of the formulation of this Strategic Plan. By investing in the future of CUHK, we are investing to build a better future for the Hong Kong, regional and global communities. One of the most important elements when youre starting the strategic planning process is to get some clarity on the nomenclature. Strong mission statements can help differentiate your company from your competitors and keep you on track toward your goals. Ill let you in on the six-step technique I have developed over many years, working with clients and in teaching my public seminars on strategic planning. For example, at a manufacturer of specialized air conditioners for computer rooms, customer service, as youd expect, meant handling enquiries and dealing with complaints. But research showed that customer service had additional dimensions in the minds of their customers, namely technical support pre- and post-sale. Getting to grips with the full extent of the customers expectations led to insight which drove the companys strategy. endobj In the tertiary education sector, it is especially important to develop a proactive approach in light of changing expectations of society, evolving professional demands, and increasing competition in the local and regional contexts. This can come from a variety of sources including: in-depth interviews of stakeholders, listening to stakeholder stories about their experience with you and the competition, feedback via your complaint and suggestion systems, focus groups and even casual conversations with stakeholders. Pay attention to your company culture and the readiness you have as a group, and adapt the planning process to fit accordingly. Who are your target customers? Do not overcommit, and do not ignore the little details that help you reach your goals. Download Strategic Plan Sections Checklist. You'll include the tactics that will help you get there, too. You will know when you achieve an objective. Readiness assessment. 2 0 obj What some people call an objective, others would call a KPI. They key, she explains, is to decide what the terms mean in your organization, explain the definitions to key stakeholders, and stick to those definitions. Determine organizational readiness. Owner/CEO, Strategy Leader. 2. Forward, on the other hand, can be a noun, adjective, verb, and adverb depending upon how it is used. Organize, manage, and review content production. Bryson says that strong facilitators often ask the following questions: What is the situation we find ourselves in? Your email address will not be published. %PDF-1.5 No. Step 1: Write a letter to the reader. Im so glad you found it helpful for your friends foreword! Some funding sources have finite beginnings and endings. You hear the terms goals and objectives a lot, but they mean different things to different people. devoid of strategy, and often not even a plan. If you are invited to write a foreword for a friend or colleagues book, consider it an honor! Develop Strategic Goals and Objectives 7. But, if I have just one single line, I would say: 6. While many organizations have both mission and vision statements, its not imperative. Strategy design, your fifth step, involves deciding what your organizations positions will be on the identified strategic factors for each key stakeholder group. It went further to co-create with farmers its positions on product range, customer service, and price to drive revenue and profitability. Were so glad you found Yens post helpful! Write in the present tense, avoid jargon, and be clear and concise. Writing about your industry helps you identify new opportunities for growth and shows you how you need to change in order to take advantage of those opportunities. Additionally, remember that there are many terms for the same object in strategic planning. Some of these effects include: A strategic plan can inspire & unite the whole school community Even with the differences, the same planning process and structure should be in place for schools as it is for other types of organizations. Before beginning the strategic planning process, its important to make sure you have buy-in from management, a board of directors, or other leaders. Mission statements dont have to be only outward-facing for customers or partners. But they placed little attention on, and certainly failed to measure, the return volley. For example, if your goal is to achieve success as a strategic planner, your objective would be to write all sections of the strategic plan in one month. This publication focuses on the pyramid's second tier, steps 5 to 7, which culminates in a written strategic plan: 5. These pieces also become a key part of the book's metadata file. What You Will Learn 1. Too often, organizations simply throw out words that they think will sound good in a glossy marketing brochure but have little relevance to the real world. To achieve all the goals outlined in your strategic plan, you need the right people in place. The answers to these questions make up the meat of the planning document. the thesis serves as a bridge between student and working life. Every day I see people doing great things in the world. Richard Branson wrote the foreword for this new book on self-improvement and learning to live boldly: Ive always had a love for adventure, and Ive been blessed to share many of them with my family and friends. A strategic plan is a key guiding document for any school, and can have far-reaching effects. Select From Our Collection of Small Business Plans, Non-Profit Business Strategic Plans, One-Page Healthcare Education Plans, School Department Budget Plans, and Many More. Find a partner or join our award-winning program. Strategic Planning Committee and its Sub-Committees, Foreword from the Vice-Chancellor and President. Your simple outline and examples got me through the block. Its imperative to make sure the mission statement accurately fits the organization. Many people confuse goals and objectives, thinking the terms are interchangeable, but many argue that the two are distinct. Below is additional advice for personal strategic plans: There are things you can control and things you cannot. Get actionable news, articles, reports, and release notes. Are your targets realistic and time-bound? When teams have clarity into the work getting done, theres no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time. :) Were you unable to view the foreword excerpts for The Courage Map and Bridal Intercession? The first step in writing a strategic plan for your department is to pay attention to your companys overall strategic plan. How to Write a Strategic Plan (Step-by-Step) Use the following steps to build a strategic plan: 1. You need implementation elements of the plan to be successful, McNerney says, adding that some people refer to objectives as tactics, actions, and many other terms.