Strategy, People & Ops - Robinson Enterprises

Every organization, regardless of the nature of the enterprise, functions within three fundamental areas: Strategy, People & Operations. The key to realizing optimum performance and maximizing shareholder Return On Investment (ROI), is ensuring the organization’s processes, systems and tools are working in harmony with its people. A significant number of businesses, however, operate day-to-day devoid of any long-term plan or forward-thinking strategy.

I’ve spoken with small business owners, presidents of midsized corporations, and executives of national organizations that have stated unabashedly, “I’m satisfied with the overall return.” If they were aware of the dollars being left on the table, many would gain a different perspective. A strategic plan is a simple tool that provides direction and means to reasonably measure an organization’s overall performance; thereby minimizing those instances of leaving profits behind. Businesses operating with a clear focus, by design, achieve a much higher level of success than those operating by default.

Many of us would agree that children function with a lot more confidence and at a higher level of achievement, if a fundamental structure is established and carried out. Adults are nothing more than grown up kids; and we, too, appreciate direction and a certain level of structure and planning in our lives, as well as our work.

To provide personal relevance to the topic of strategic planning, I’ve equated the fundamental elements of the process to taking a trip: Undeniably, every individual who plans a trip needs to first know where they’re going (Vision), how they’re expected to behave along the way, considering the cultural nuances of the journey (Values), and what they need to do to successfully reach their destination (Mission).

It is sound business practice for every organization to have a strategic plan outlining the focused journey for its people. A clearly communicated planning solution, together with the expectation of accountability and follow-through, is the first step toward achieving a performance culture. Although strategy and operations are key elements integral to any strategic plan, people comprise an organization’s culture, and culture drives bottom line ROI.

Rhonda Robinson, Principal & Corporate Strategist
Robinson Enterprises, LLC
www.RobinsonROI.com

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