Page 4 - Strategic Operations Diagnosis Workshop

WHY “ALIGNMENT” BECAME THE WORD OF THE DAY
Quotes from the
Workshop
“The more time you take
to get input, the more
effective your [strategic]
plan will be.”
“[Realtime strategic
planning] is not a strategy
that you create and put
on the shelf. This is
something you look at on
a continuous basis.”
“When you are able to
communicate your
strategy and you’re willing
to have the courage to
say no, it can sometimes
open up a new
opportunity.”
Video Highlight
One Band, One Sound
“What does this have to
do with us? Everyone
working together! One
Goodwill. One Mission.”
2
Strategic Planning Ask Yourself
The group discussed how strategic When looking at your internal
planning can help an organization. budget, will the service or program
The responses lead back to the provide a specific educational
power of alignment — when you service or skill needed in the
don’t have alignment it can cause community you are serving and/or
silos. The group reviewed several a specific employment service that
strategic planning models, how a is not already addressed by your
strategic plan should address BIG existing programs?
questions and the importance of a
strategy screen. A strategy screen Partnerships
One attendee shared, “We had the
means you have an intentional exit courage to have candid
strategy for initiatives that no conversations with our county
longer work. founders to increase funding. We
Prioritizing Your Mission had to explain the whole picture
Investment since everyone assumes we have
The group learned the importance money. It yielded positive results.
of being laser focused and aligned It made us realize – yes, we can
on how you want to spend your have these conversations.”
money on the mission. Attendees learned the need to
have those conversations and not
to try to be all things to all people.
“I like strategic partnerships because, like dating, you have to
know who you are, what you want, your non-negotiables and
what you need in your life #organization.”
“Hot Seat” Exercise – Try this!
How it Works: When your team member
has an issue or is trying to work through
something at your next team meeting,
have that person sit in the middle or at
the head of the table and pose the issue.
Other team members should ask
questions that will help the hot seat
team member. These should not be “yes”
or “no” questions. The hot seat team
member is not allowed to respond, only
listen to the questions.
Purpose: Allows team member to listen
to a variety of perspectives.
Related Resources
MyGoodwill Strategic Planning Community
Working Your Strategic Plan Video