STRATEGIC PLANNING

Mapping a future direction that is both visionary and viable is the heart of strategic planning, and engaging in strategic thinking is the path that leads to that direction. Ivy has achieved outstanding success in this arena by facilitating a two-staged, team-based approach for clients that is highly interactive. During the first phase, Ivy and teams of managers and employees gather, analyze and assess information relating to changes in the external environment (e.g. discontinuities in the competitive field, customer preferences and lifestyles, partnering opportunities, technology and demographics) and the internal environment of the company (e.g. core competencies, current business design). Opportunities and risks are explored and evaluated using various exercises.

During the second phase, Ivy facilitates "strategic thinking sessions" with the organization's leaders who categorize, display and synthesize the information collected in phase one and ultimately arrive at a clear direction for the future. The result is a solid strategic blueprint that outlines vital goals and objectives over the next five to ten years. The purpose of our participatory approach is to change the mental models held by members of the organization, gain their commitment to implement the changes proposed by the plan, and ensure that the entire organization owns the plan.

Together with business or program leaders, Ivy then translates this overarching plan into business action plans with measurable outcomes that assure that the strategic plan will become a reality in the organization.