Strategic Plans Guide Your Budgets
Who doesn’t love a good strategic plan? I feel you groaning all the way through the internet here. But wait, hear me out for a minute to share my thoughts, from an association executive perspective, about the reasons for having and reviewing a strategic plan often. Then, I will tell you what we do to keep the strategic plan front and center for ARELLO® members as we get rolling into the next year.
A few reasons every trade association should have a strategic plan:
Your governing documents likely state that the board should set the organization's strategic direction.
A goal without a plan is just a dream.
It makes good sense and firms up the communication for the direction the board is going.
It guides your budgeting process.
How to get started in strategic planning:
Consider bringing in an expert facilitator. Note that I said facilitator, not a planner. I write about finding a good strategic facilitator in another post.
Get the right stakeholders at the table. These should be visionaries who want greater for the association, not just an opportunity to gripe about what has been done.
Garner early feedback. Survey your members.
What ARELLO® does to keep the strategic plan front and center:
We make a one-pager that is easy to read and digest.
We place that one-pager document into every board and committee meeting packet.
Depending on the agenda content at the meeting, we will place one of the plan’s pillar content on the actual agenda.
As the CEO, I regularly review the strategic plan with my management and staff teams.
