Strategic-Planning Articles

Six sigma has different meanings to different people. Some believe it is all about reducing variation, while others believe it's strictly a quality improvement method.

So there stands before all of us a terrific opportunity here surely! If the majority of people are reactive about managing their careers, both generally and within the organization that they themselves work for, then if can we learn to be more proactive about the development and management of our own career, thus moving closer to the 5 per cent proactive category, then we will achieve competitive advantage and ultimately more success with our career achievements?

If you launch and operate like most direct selling companies, statistically your attrition (drop-out) rate will be 80% per year. In other words, out of 100 people you bring to your company in January, only 20 will remain by the end of the year. And, if you are like most, you are thinking, “I’m worrying about getting started and I look forward to having an attrition problem. . . that means that I’m seeing people coming in!”

No doubt, running your own business can be a rewarding experience as it can be a risky endeavor. Also, the journey to your success will always begin with preparation. The key thing would be transform all your dreams into reality. All this is possible only when you plan the work and to work on those plans.

Strategic planning is vital if you want it to succeed in business. By planning ahead, typically one to five years ahead, you can steer your business decisions accordingly. This type of planning can also be utilized in your personal life, helping you manage your time and finances. While there are various plans to abide by, the elements of strategic planning remain the same.

Most people would agree that the best leaders are those with insight and the capacity to see things through to the completion of a goal. While some people are born with those tools, others could use a little education, and everyone can use some tools for putting the latest business practices into play.

What is the old saying about Boy Scouts? They are always prepared. Forethought, goal setting, and thorough planning are part of everything they do. That is a lesson that should carry over into most parts of a person's adult life. Flying by the seat of your pants is no way to succeed in life, and it is definitely no way to manage a business. Successful managers and executives need a heavy toolbox full of skills to juggle all the responsibilities that come with the position.

Successful businesses do not just appear. Naturally there is such a thing as being in the right place at the right time, but in general, there is someone with vision and drive at the wheel. Think about the companies that have enjoyed long success. What sets them apart from all the others that open their doors, last a few years, and then fade away like a tumbleweed on the Nevada desert? For a company to thrive, there must be flexible and insightful individuals at the helm in order to weather the storms of the market and changing financial moods.