Strategic Planning Consulting Services

Strategic planning consulting services are used early and often in our client engagements, to paint a picture of the desired end state, by visualizing the future. The key is to “begin with the end in sight,” and work backward from that perspective.

Strategic Planning Graph

As demonstrated here, three points in time should be considered in strategic visioning:

  • Understanding the current situation – Where we are today?
  • Determining the future vision – Where do we want to be in the future?

  • Closing the gap through strategic marketing, positioning, and innovation — How will we get there?

A central theme of strategic planning is to begin with the end in sight. This involves envisioning where you want to be in the future and then working backward to fill the gap, using a create-test-and-learn approach.

Starting with the end in sight adds another tangible thing to create — a testable proposition, like a concept board, business narrative, draft proposal, or prototype that represents the end goal.

By iterating tangible ideas internally and with customers, you can peer into the future, clarify thinking, optimize ideas, reset—as necessary—and get everyone on the same page.

Starting with the end in sight and working backward allows for better decisions regarding where to play and how to win.

Goal

  • To develop an initial strategic vision for the business and brand to guide subsequent project activities, including strategy sessions, focused ideation and customer research

     

Major Activities

  • Review the market assessment, to identify key issues and opportunities
  • Develop alternative visioning statements, through facilitated workshops
  • Review, refine and prioritize vision statement alternatives

     

Key Deliverables

  • Initial visioning statement to guide subsequent project steps
  • Internal hypotheses, questions, opportunities and challenges to guide subsequent project steps

 

At this stage, initial “straw man” deliverables across marketing and brand strategy outputs are created. The straw man output is designed as a draft version for the team to debate, pick apart, and improve. From there, a common next steps include design thinking and concept iteration.

As one of America’s top strategic planning consulting firms, we offer a focused set of strategic planning consulting services. Contact us to learn more.