From the recent experience of three of America's most sought-after strategic planning consultants - seasoned pros who are serving as advisors to more than 100 top organizations from coast to coast - comes the first completely pragmatic guide to identifying, systematizing, and implementing the kind of long-term strategies that will enable you to compete successfully well into the next century. With its emphasis on the integration of business and functional plans, performance audits, organizational culture, gap analysis, and values clarification, Applied Strategic Planning surpasses other strategic planning manuals in all the vital ways that spell the difference between tomorrow's big winners and tomorrow's also-rans! Find out how to determine if your organization is ready for strategic planning; effectively communicate a corporate vision; recognize the role of culture in changing strategic direction integrate your plan into your company's day-to-day operations - both horizontally and vertically; master methods of strategic business modeling; write effective mission statements; use consultants effectively; and create contingency plans. Both incisive and fun to read, Applied Strategic Planning makes many of its points through the use of humorous drawings, anecdotes, and cartoons - many of which come directly from the experiences of top companies before they had a workable strategic plan in effect. And you'll find numerous charts, diagrams, and checklists that make the book especially easy to apply in your own organization, whatever its size or structure. If you're looking to navigate expertly through today's unpredictable business climate, this is the one book you simply cannot afford tobe without!
TIMOTHY M. NOLAN, Ph.D ., an organizational consultant based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specializes in strategic planning, leadership development, creativity, and thinking skills development. He is president of Innovative Outcomes, Inc., as well as the Center for Leadership Excellence, Inc., and the National Center for Learning Excellence, Inc. As a commitment to the profession, Dr. Nolan recently created and serves as executive director of the Academy for Consulting Excellence, Inc. Author or co - author of thirty - seven books, he has written in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, organizational systems, and services marketing. He has served as executive director of National Centers for Learning Excellence, Inc., since 1968. From 1980 to 1988 he served as vice president for professional services at University Associates, now Pfeiffer, in San Diego, California. He has been an independent consultant since 1973, serving a wide variety of clients, ranging from new business start - ups to industry leaders. He works with for profi t, non - profi t, and governmental agencies.
LEONARD D. GOODSTEIN, Ph.D ., is an independent consulting psychologist based in Washington, D.C., with considerable experience in facilitating the Applied Strategic Planning process. His research interests are in the infl uence of values and culture on organizations and in psychological assessment. He formerly was CEO and executive vice president of the American Psychological Association and CEO of University Associates (now Pfeiffer). He previously held a variety of academic positions, including professorships at the Universities of Iowa, Cincinnati, and Arizona State, where he also served as department chair. He is a frequent contributor to the professional literature, including the Pfeiffer Annuals . His most recent book, co - authored with Erich P. Prien, Individual Assessment in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for HR Professionals, Trainers, and Managers was published by Pfeiffer in 2006.
JEANETTE GOODSTEIN, Ph.D ., a consultant and writer based in Washington, D.C., assists organizations in conducting a variety of research and analysis activities, focusing on needs assessment and program development and evaluation. She is co - author of Who’ s Driving Your Bus?, a book on codependency in the workplace, and developed accompanying instructional materials and assessment instruments. She chaired the Board of Directors of International Voluntary Services from 1997 through 2002, a private non-profit organization dedicated to volunteer service in developing nations for nearly fifty years, and from 1997 to 2003 was a member of the board of the Washington, D.C., chapter of Young Audiences.