Case Studies: Strategy

Challenge

The Queensland-based board of a worldwide not-for-profit organisation wanted to clearly define their strategy and design a workable strategic plan for the next five years. The strategy and the plan needed to be implemented effectively through a largely volunteer member base.

Approach

We met with the board chairman to discuss and better understand the needs of the organisation and the outcomes they desired to achieve. We then reviewed the existing strategic plan, created five years earlier, and assessed progress against this plan.

Monique facilitated a half-day workshop for the board as part of their annual retreat. Pre-workshop questionnaires were designed to focus the board members on the mission, values and vision of the organisation. Establishing this common ground was the starting point for the facilitation process. The strategy session provoked the board members to consider their competitive environment and to focus on the needs of their stakeholders in developing a forward-looking plan.

Following the retreat, the five-year strategic plan was designed and documented in a simple and easy-to-implement framework. This was followed up with roll-out workshops for managers statewide.

Outcome

Two years into this five-year plan, targets in key areas are already being exceeded and the organisation has an effective strategy, a clear direction, and a practical plan for action.