In This Issue:
Acquisition Survey Results
Questions & Answers
Simplified Strategic Planning Book
Article Archives
Strategic Planning Resources
Acquisition Survey Results
By Denise A. Harrison
The following article reports on the results from our Acquisition Survey. We wanted to learn more about acquisitions from our Course and Direction readers so that we could see what role acquisitions play in developing and executing your strategy. The results show why you were pursuing an acquisition, what you considered when evaluating an acquisition and how you evaluated your success. We end the article with your comments concerning what worked and what were the lessons learned. If you would like to add your experience, click through and add your comments to our blog.
Click to continue...
Questions & Answers
This column is intended to answer common questions related to strategic planning and strategy in general. In each issue we will answer questions posed by seminar attendees, our clients and our readers. Please send your questions to Suzanne Simmonds, E-mail: simmonds@cssp.com ~ Mail: CSSP, Inc. P.O. Box 851 Southport, CT 06890-0851 ~ Fax: 203-255-9191.How can we get better action plans?
What preliminary work can be done to speed things up in the planning process?
Click to continue...
Simplified Strategic Planning Book
Now available, the Simplified Strategic Planning manual with complete and clear instructions, exhibits, illustrated example worksheets plus all worksheet templates on a compact disk - for $247 for first copy and $47 for additional copies now or later. Thousands of leaders are reaping the benefits of Simplified Strategic Planning, a proven process for charting your course and direction that focuses resources for superior performance in any business environment. Click here for full information.
Did You Miss These Recent Articles?
Are You Making these Mistakes in Your Succession Plan?
by M. Dana Baldwin
The following article offers four strategies for creating a winning Succession Plan.
Screening Acquisition Targets--Part II
by Robert W. Bradford
This article discusses how to use the acquisition screening data to narrow down the field of candidates.
Screening Acquisition Targets
by Robert W. Bradford
This article provides a six step plan for screening potential acquisition targets.
Three Recession Strategies for a Strong Business
by Stephen A. Rutan
Even during slow business cycles the world does not come to a screeching halt. Three things you should do to keep your business strong!
Follow-through -- the Key to Strategic Planning Success
by M. Dana Baldwin
Dana Baldwin describes how important follow-through is to the success of your strategic planning efforts.
Strategic Evaluation of Acquisition Targets
by Robert W. Bradford
Robert Bradford takes a quick look at four strategic factors that may dramatically change your assessment of the value of an acquisition target.
Acquisitions: 8 Steps to Success
by Denise A. Harrison
When evaluating an acquisition, thoughtful consideration of these 8 steps can lead your company to success!
How Can I use Simplified Strategic Planning at the Corporate Level?
by Robert W. Bradford
The principles of Simplified Strategic Planning can be applied on a corporate level, however, attention to certain aspects and details will result in greater success.
Can HP teach an Old Dog New Tricks?
by Stephen A. Rutan
There are lessons to be learned for small to mid-sized companies, by watching how Fortune 500 companies handle their mergers and acquisitions.
Acquisition Candidate Selection
by Denise A. Harrison
Once it is determined that an acquisition is part of the solution to achieving a company's strategy, potential candidates must be evaluated. In this article, two of the criteria will be evaluated: fit with strategy and examining the excess baggage that will come with the acquisition.
Is Your Marketing Working for You?
by M. Dana Baldwin
Good marketing helps pave the way for good sales. Effective marketing can be one of the leading factors in successful innovations and product or service enhancements. Marketing can also be one of the first expenditures cut when times get tough. Here is a strategic approach to evaluating your marketing efforts.
Visit CSSP for complete resources for all your strategic planning needs.
Use the links below.
Frequently asked questions about strategic planning
Strategic management self-assessment
Archive of articles
Our best-selling book, Simplified Strategic Planning - for Busy People Who Want Results Fast!
Simplified Strategic Planning in Action
Strategic Planning Tune-Up
Alignment for Implementation
Elements of Innovation
In-house workshops
Dynamic strategy presentations
Simplified Strategic Planning manual
Strategy consulting services
For associations
For colleges
About Center for
Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc.
Strategic Thinking
Success in today's business environment requires that a company's leaders have the ability to create a vision of the organization's future direction as well as the course it needs to get there.
While various business improvement techniques such as Total Quality Management and Re-engineering are often extremely beneficial to the ongoing progress of a business, correct Strategic Focus remains the single most important element in a company's success.
Since 1981, the Center for Simplified Strategic Planning (through its Strategic Focus on strategy and strategic management services) has provided client companies strategic planning tools and leadership required to obtain superior strategic results.
We understand the challenges typically faced by our clients in installing systems and practices necessary to support growth, while maintaining day to day operations.
Call today for more information! 734-995-3465
Simplified Strategic Planning for Small to Mid-Sized Companies
A Two-Day Interactive Seminar Specifically for Executives of Independent Companies and Subsidiaries of Larger Companies Who Want to Achieve Better Results Faster
San Juan, PR
January 22 - 23, 2008
Anaheim, CA
January 22 - 23, 2008
Company Presidents and CEOs attend free of charge when accompanied by one or more additional paid attendees.
Poor strategic planning is worse than no strategic planning. It can be a big waste of time and money. Even worse, it can lead to disaster. Avoid all this with Simplified Strategic Planning - a proven process to focus for superior performance without straining your resources.
Whether you've been doing strategic planning for years or starting from scratch, you can acquire a streamlined process for developing and implementing your strategy. In just two days, you will have learned this time-tested methodology, which has produced outstanding results for thousands of companies from a wide variety of business types.
Click here for more information
Consulting Services
|
Strategists ~ not Facilitators who do Strategy |
Strategists who know how to stimulate your best strategic thinking. Let us tailor a program to fit your calendar and pocketbook. Put our unique, practical, no-nonsense strategic planning process to work and achieve a winning strategy for your company.
Click here to learn how you can develop an Action-Oriented Strategy for your Company.
|
|
|
Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc. respects your privacy. We do not rent, sell or exchange email addresses.
Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc.
2219 Packard - Suite 13
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
©2008 Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc. All rights reserved.
For permission to reprint any article from Course and Direction, or if you would like to submit an article for inclusion in Course and Direction, please contact the editor, , at simmonds@cssp.com.