High Expectations for Strategic Plans

In establishing Action Plans with employees make sure to guard against ones that are expected of them in the normal course of doing their jobs. Here are some examples:

• 100% to Sales Plan is Expected
• 100% to Profit Plan is Expected
• Living within Budget should be a Given
• Good Quality is Expected
• Good Customer Service is Expected

Rather than establishing Action Plans that are expected, establish Action Plans that make it happen. For example:

• Meet face-to-face with general contractors after bidding projects. (That will increase sales.)
• Identify cost savings in my job. (That will contribute to living within budget.)

Both the employee and manager should have high expectations about completing Action Plans. Here are some guidelines on making it happen:

• Added Initiative may be Necessary
• Make Action Plans Challenging
• Avoid Setting “Artificial” Action Plans 
• Think Positively
• Talk Positively
• Make it Known that Results Count
• Have High Expectations for Yourself and Employees
• Have High Expectations for Completing Action Plans

Interesting in learning more about strategic planning? Contact me at rdvoreis@mindspring.com.  You can also view the presentaiton I recently gave for NGA members:  Management System Self-Evaluation Seminar.

 

Richard Vories
Consulting Collaborative