Quote of the Day

"The worst thing you can ever do in life, is depend on someone else to bring you success, self-worth, and happiness."- Kay Lackey 

Message of the Day: Sponge Learning

"Do not ask something of someone that you are not willing to try yourself and expect success. Success is learning even the smallest detail. "- Kay Lackey 

I am a big fan of the notion of letting the experts do their jobs; I mean they are experts. Although you are not an expert, learn to ask questions as if you are training to be one. The most common thing I have found is that people fail to ask questions about the details of what is going on.

Have you ever considered asking the experts to teach you how to do it? Granted you may never be able to change your own car breaks or install a motherboard on your computer. However, do you at least know how it works or the parts that are required to complete the task?

Most individuals request a high level overview, which is great during a meeting and can save time but what about the non-meeting times? During this time be sure to ask question, for instance, so what tool do we use to measure performance and how does it work? 

Understanding how something works, allows you to make better decisions in the future? It can even save you a few bucks over time or help you succeed in aligning your goals to your organization's vision. Be like a sponge and learn all you can because you never know when you may need it. 

Picture source: http://www.illumine.co.uk/resources/newsletters/May-2011-learning-at-work.html

Have an Awesome Friday!

Kay Lackey

Organizational Development Consultant 

Rules for Life, Especially on Mondays

Happy Monday!!!!!

picture from: http://stickywallpapers.com/2014/quotes/inspirational-photos-part-the-recruitment-guru-2014

Strategic Management Planning

Recently, I received a question regarding the definition and best process of completing a strategic management plan.  Below is the requested define and brief explanation of the elements of a strategic management plan.

Picture source: https://nacmnet.org/CCCG/strategic-planning.html

Strategic Management Definition: The overall comprehensive management of the formulation, implementation, and continuous monitoring of major goals, objectives, and vision of an organization. The process includes strategic planning and thinking.

Why it is important: Like Succession Planning and Management, Strategic Management is designed to identify the long-term needs and overall strategic direction need for the organization to remain successful.

Strategic planning is a major component of strategic management. To identify the long-term needs and strategic direction of an organization, small departmental specific plans need to be developed. The smaller plan’s development is known as strategic planning.  

Strategic Planning is an organization’s guide tool that identifies the specific goals of the organization and the purposed direction, activities, resources, and decisions made to obtain the goal. If this definition seems similar to the strategic management, well it is. But here is the difference:

Strategic planning is the process of identifying the goals/objectives and synthesizing it to actual resources for short-term wins that fit into the long-term goals of the organization. On the other hand, strategic management ensures long-term goals/objectives are met by appropriately formulating, allocating, and implementing activities and resources. Formulating, allocating, and implementing activities and resources increases the chances of an organization making great strategy choices.

Steps in Strategic Management and Planning:'

Project Management Phase: Initiation/Planning/Monitoring and Control

Strategy Formation: The process of choosing the appropriate course of action needed for the organization to realize its vision through reaching goals and objectives. . (Please note: This is where monitoring and control begins.)

1.      Mission Statement: Mission statement tells internal/external clients where organization is currently and what it aspires to be. For example, the Conversation with Kay mission statement is:

Improving organizations by improving the performance of its people at all levels within the organization. It is not an easy task but through the use of articles, presentations, videos, and continuous motivation, it can be done. 

2. Analysis (Strategic Thinking): Identify the current and future needs of the organization to better understand the vision for the strategic direction and ensure that it aligns with the mission and values of the organization. This is where I like to ask the sponsor(s), “What would you like to accomplish with this project?”

Note: In most strategic management post you will probably see analysis are the identification of goal setting, however, I feel analysis should be split into two sections, before and after goals/objectives. 

3. Goals/Objectives: Based on the strategic direction, specific measurable targets both long- (management) and short-term (planning) goals and/or objectives can be identified.

4. Analysis (Strategic Thinking): Identify whether the goals/objectives align with the overall mission/values of the organization. Identify key resources both financially and contractually and an analysis the internal/external position of the organization needs to be completed. By analysis the internal and external strengths and opportunities as well as threats and weakness, a change agents can identify potential opportunity and issues which can affect the strategic process.

Possible Analysis Tools: SWOT Analysis, SMART Goals, Porter Five Forces Analysis, Growth-share Matrix, Strategy Map, and more. Note: I like to use a combination of SWOT Analysis and SMART Goals in the analysis and goal/objective stages. 

Successful Project Tip: Look for several key things including: drives people within the organization, what are the tough issues the organization internal/external faces during change, and why, what is missing, how the goals/objectives will be measured, and what has or has not worked in the past. Also update your monitor and control plan to ensure the project stays on track. 

Deliverable Examples: Communication Plan, Organizational Goals/Objectives Targets, Organization Analysis, Strategic Plan(s), Performance Analysis Plan, and Strategy Choice/Framework

Project Management Phase: Launch/Execution/Monitoring and Control
5. Strategy Implementation: Simply put, this is where the plan is put into action. The implementation of the plan begins with answers who, what, when, where, how the identified goals will be completed by assigning (people or contracts) and/or allocating (money) the appropriate resource to complete the goals/objectives. Monitoring and controls will be used to measure: completion of task vs timeline, maintaining alignment with goals/objectives to vision, and performance of the overall project.

Deliverable Examples: Performance Measurement Tools, Finalized Strategic Plan, Updated Communications and Monitor/Control Plan as needed

Project Management Phase: Monitoring and Control/Close 

6. Evaluation, Control, and Close: Evaluation and close does not mean the project is ending, however, it is merely the signally of the transition over to the next phase in the cycle. Strategic management is an every evolving process that will continue throughout the organization’s life time. Evaluation, control, and close portion of the project will determine the overall success of the project based on whether or not it has met the organization’s goal and objectives. Based on the results, the organization will make appropriate corrective actions or move on to the next phase of the strategic process i.e. close.

In short, all strategic management plans contains the same information, however, the method of completion is completely different based on an organization’s: industry, size, future goals, and more. Some organizations have layers and layers of approval before a plan can be generated, while others have none.

I hope this helps J

Kay Lackey

Organizational Development Consultant 

Message of the Day: Life Lesson

"It is not the roads end that makes it an advantage but its the twist and turns to get there. The twist and turns in life are what mold you to be a better person for the next stage in your life. Learn to give thanks and celebrate, not hide all you have overcome to get here."

- Kay Lackey

Disclaimer: Picture from http://prolifik-one.com/2010/07/17/beautiful-night-time-roads/

Message of the Day: Control Your Reaction

"You cannot control what others may say or do to you but you can control how you react. Do not let someones bad day become yours."- Kay Lackey 

The old saying "misery loves company," is TRUE. A negative person or situation, can turn any great day into the worst day of your life because negativity is all consuming and can spread like a wildfire to all aspects of your life. However, even though those around you are negative, you do not have to be.

How you react, can escalate or defuse any negative situation. I suggest when faced with negativity: identify the goal of the conversation, leave the negative comments out, and find the positive of the situation while remaining calm. Be assertive, respectful, and stick only the facts, do not engage in negative back and forth. Or sometimes, you just have to respectfully table the issue and excuse yourself until you or the other person have calmed down.

By not reacting and/or removing yourself, you can eliminate the transferring of negative energy onto yourself. Learn to stop the cycle of negativity and be positive.

Kay

Disclaimer: Picture is from: http://www.learn4yourlife.com/self-control.html

Saw it, Loved it, So I am passing along: Today's Word from Joel and Victor Osteen

Hey Everyone,

Whether you are religious or not, this is an awesome message about not focusing on our goals to the point of frustration. Instead, live in peace knowing your goal or dream is going to come true at the right time, therefore, enjoy life and be at peace knowing your current situation is only temporary. "When our goals and dreams start to frustrate us, and we lose our peace and don’t enjoy life, that’s a clear sign that we’re holding on too tightly. What’s the solution? You’ve got to release it."- Joel and Victoria

Trust God's timing and live in peace. #TodaysWord @JoelOsteen @VictoriaOsteen  http://tinyurl.com/ktkna3n

Have an Awesome Wednesday!

Kay Lackey