Questions and Answers
How can we get our middle managers more involved in the Strategic Planning process?
If middle managers are not already active on the Strategic Planning team, they can and should be involved in several ways. Many of these key employees can participate in the research assignments that are part of the initial formation of the plan as well as in yearly updates to the research. They can also be involved as members of Action Plan teams charged with implementing the company's Strategic Objectives. Some companies invest in a Strategic Alignment program where the senior management team gives an overview of the strategy, then asks the middle management team to develop key objectives for their departments that will support the strategy. (See Strategic Alignment - our newly released book). In addition, some companies have also found benefit in assembling groups of middle managers for a workshop just prior to beginning their annual Strategic Plan review and update. At this facilitated meeting you should review the planning process and strategic progress to date. You should also solicit input on issues, opportunities and changes in the operating environment from the middle management group. The senior management in their Strategic Planning meeting would then use this input. Closing the loop by communicating back to the middle management group on action taken would be appropriate. Another approach would be to rotate middle managers into the strategic planning process.
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Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc.
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Ann Arbor, MI 48108
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