{"id":21311,"date":"2022-09-22T17:40:41","date_gmt":"2022-09-22T17:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/?p=21311"},"modified":"2022-09-22T17:40:43","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T17:40:43","slug":"the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/","title":{"rendered":"The CEO\u2019s Step-by-Step Guide for Your Next Strategic Planning Offsite"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"21311\" class=\"elementor elementor-21311\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9dbace2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9dbace2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42fda2d\" data-id=\"42fda2d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b3ae456\" data-id=\"b3ae456\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffd68a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ffd68a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>An annual strategic planning process is an essential practice for every business.<\/p><p>Throughout the annual strategic planning process, business leaders identify the most important priorities for the business, clarify why the business exists, and envision what the business looks like when it\u2019s working well. Strategic plans differentiate our companies from others in our industries. And, most importantly, strategic plans help us create <strong>an inspiring vision for the future<\/strong>.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not easy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Engaging in annual strategic planning takes dedicated time and leadership tenacity. An executive team will need to pull themselves out of the day-to-day demands of the business to \u201cwork on the business, not in the business\u201d. At C12, we recommend <strong>strategic planning offsite<\/strong>. During this critical time, leaders will engage in a process to identify the business\u2019 strengths and weaknesses, factor in the economic environment, develop an inspiring long-term vision, and agree upon short-term milestones.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These sessions will include establishing:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>first look<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at core principles<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>look back<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at how the business performed in the past year<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>look up<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to God and others to whom the business is accountable for wisdom and guidance<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>look around<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the business\u2019s strengths and weaknesses and the economic environment<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A<b> look ahead<\/b> to medium-range plans, annual objectives, measurable goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs)<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a76b711 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a76b711\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-768x305.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21318\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-768x305.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-300x119.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-1024x406.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic.jpg 1160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7ee0e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c7ee0e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><b>C12\u2019s Strategic Planning Guide<\/b><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> contains a <\/span><b>comprehensive set of tools<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to equip CEOs and Christian business owners to design a two to three-day strategic planning offsite for their executive teams. Anchored in best practices and biblical principles, the guide contains a step-by-step process for both novice and veteran planners to adapt as is appropriate in their situations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66bde29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"66bde29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21335\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-289x300.png 289w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-985x1024.png 985w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-1478x1536.png 1478w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1.png 1667w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1f6567 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"b1f6567\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Download the Strategic Planning Guide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d237e27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d237e27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we outline C12\u2019s Business as a Ministry (BaaM) framework and a best-practice process for annual strategic planning. We\u2019ll help you align your business with God\u2019s plan and take actionable steps towards achieving your vision.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h2><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Strategic Planning and the Christian Business Owner<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p>Some may believe that \u201cbusiness is business and faith is faith.\u201d At C12, our foundational understanding is that Jesus is either Lord of all or not at all. We believe, as followers of Jesus, we will be held accountable for stewarding all that the Lord has entrusted to us. And <strong>this includes our businesses<\/strong>. Our mission is to equip Christian business owners and CEOs to build great businesses for a greater purpose.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b906a1f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b906a1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"251\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-768x251.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21313\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-768x251.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-300x98.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-1024x335.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8dc31c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c8dc31c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps the boldest endorsement of planning in Scripture comes from <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=luke+14%3A28-30&amp;version=ESV\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luke 14:28-30<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when Jesus told the crowds to count the cost of following Him. <\/span>Jesus reached for a business example to illustrate His point: \u201c<em>For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost.<\/em>\u201d Although Jesus\u2019s point pertained to personal salvation, His tower metaphor worked because the planning imperative applies to our whole existence\u2014businesses included.<\/p><p>The BaaM Framework creates a conceptual outline for strategic planning that honors God. God owns the business and entrusts us to steward it. Thus, we set our strategic objectives accordingly\u2014to build <em>His<\/em> kingdom, not ours.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce36196 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ce36196\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-768x624.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21312\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-768x624.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-300x244.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-1024x832.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork.jpg 1164w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55bc53f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"55bc53f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 12pt;\">Let&#8217;s take a closer look at the process.<\/span><\/h2><h2 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Annual Strategic Planning Process: First Look<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before developing any strategic plan, we must first establish core principles, i.e. the company\u2019s <\/span><b>mission statement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>vision statement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>core values,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>dominant selling idea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It can be tempting to skip this step and move quickly to goal-setting. But we neglect core principles to our peril. Companies that lack foundational core principles suffer from unnecessary confusion and diminished alignment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eedb9f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"eedb9f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-1024x381.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-21350\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-1024x381.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-300x112.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-768x286.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1.jpg 1160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b3cb19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b3cb19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The core principles of an organization are relatively static but can change over time, especially if a business has faced major disruption.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your team has not established core principles, this is the place to start. Pages 40\u201343 of <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><b>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide <\/b><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will guide you through the <strong>fi<\/strong><\/span><b>rst look <\/b>step<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of your strategic planning offsite, utilizing core frameworks and providing discussion questions for your executive team.<\/span><\/p><h2><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 1\u00a0Look Back<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p>The unforeseen can outwit any planner, but as a rule, our long-term business outcomes hinge on the quality of our planning. Before we can effectively build strategic priorities for the year(s) to come, we must <strong>learn from the past by looking back<\/strong> at our previous year\u2019s planning and performance.<\/p><p>With your executive team, evaluate how well your organization\u2019s plans were implemented during the past year using this assessment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a593cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0a593cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"318\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-768x318.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21324\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-768x318.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-1024x424.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6fe378 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6fe378\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See pages 6\u20138 of <\/span><b>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for more <\/span><b>Looking Back <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exercises to incorporate during your strategic planning offsite.<\/span><\/p><h2><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 2\u00a0Look Up<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p>As CEOs and business owners, we hold positions of authority within our companies. However, as Christians, we acknowledge that we serve a higher calling. We are all accountable to God. We may also be accountable to a board of directors, a founder, a regional Vice President, or a franchisor. Effective strategic planning <strong>acknowledges this upstream accountability by looking up<\/strong>. <br \/><br \/>Practically, this means taking time to pray, listening for and submitting to His indwelling Spirit\u2019s guidance \u2014in our personal quiet time and in our planning meetings (if our leadership teams include other Christians). We can also find His wisdom in the Bible (which has much to say about managing a business), and from wise mentors, counselors, and others in authority over us.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b574db7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b574db7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"239\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-768x239.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21314\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-768x239.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-300x93.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-1024x318.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62a2fdf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62a2fdf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Pages 9\u201310 of <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><strong>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/strong><\/a><\/span> will guide the <strong>Looking Up<\/strong> portion of your strategic planning offsite, by identifying your upstream accountabilities and prompting your personal prayer time for the company.<\/p><h2><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 3 Look Around<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p>Whether we are building on last year\u2019s ruins or last year\u2019s triumph (or both), awareness is the foundation of all good plans. Effective strategic planning forces us to <strong>conduct in-depth analyses by looking around<\/strong> at our core principles, the environment, the market, and the organization.<\/p><h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Review Core Principles<\/strong><\/span><\/h3><p>If core principles have already been established <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shrm.org\/resourcesandtools\/tools-and-samples\/hr-qa\/pages\/isthereadifferencebetweenacompany%E2%80%99smission,visionandvaluestatements.aspx\">mission, vision, and core values<\/a><\/span>, it is a best practice to briefly revisit them at our strategic planning offsite to affirm that they remain relevant. This ensures the organization is staying mission-true. And, occasionally, we might discover that a major disruption might cause a shift.<\/p><h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Assess the Environment<\/strong><\/span><\/h3><p>The environment in which we conduct business will necessarily affect our ability to achieve our goals. By contemplating these external factors\u2014and anticipating how they may develop\u2014we can devise strategies to deal with them. Conducting a <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/corporatefinanceinstitute.com\/resources\/knowledge\/strategy\/pestel-analysis\/?utm_source=Corporate+Finance+Institute&amp;utm_campaign=Sept+Biz\">PESTEL analysis<\/a><\/span> with our executive teams will help us identify the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal environments that may impact our business in the coming year(s).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-daed2bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"daed2bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-768x349.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21322\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-768x349.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-300x136.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-1024x465.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfd0888 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dfd0888\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Assess the Market<\/strong><\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Market conditions are always on the move.\u00a0 Tools such as <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.isc.hbs.edu\/strategy\/business-strategy\/Pages\/the-five-forces.aspx?utm_source=Harvard+Business+School&amp;utm_campaign=Sept+Biz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porter\u2019s Five Forces Analysis<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shed light on the competitive forces in our industries. Assessing industry opportunities through the Five Forces framework will help your executive team consider ways to position the company for success.<\/span><\/p><h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Assess the Organization<\/strong><\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mindtools.com\/pages\/article\/newTMC_05.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SWOT analysis <\/span><\/a><\/span>classifies the internal aspects of a company as strengths or weaknesses and the external situational factors (as identified in your PESTEL and\/or Five Forces analysis) as opportunities or threats. Strengths might establish a competitive advantage, while weaknesses might hinder it. This analysis is particularly powerful because it can reveal opportunities that we are well placed to recognize and seize.<\/p><p>Pages 11\u201320 of <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><strong>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/strong><\/a><\/span> contains additional frameworks and tools for you to use during the <strong>Looking Around<\/strong> portion of your strategic planning offsite, along with discussion questions to guide your team.<\/p><h2><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 4\u00a0Looking Ahead<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our preparatory work from the previous steps lays the necessary groundwork to <\/span><b>establish our future course of action by looking ahead. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We can now develop an effective strategic plan for next year and beyond.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Develop a Three to Five-Year Strategic Vision<\/strong><\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A medium-range strategic vision helps us determine how we will achieve our strategic objectives. It involves:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gathering our executive team every 3\u20135 years<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Specifying desired outcomes for that timeframe<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Laying out clear objectives for organizational performance<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reviewing progress annually, updating as necessary<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developing a new medium-range plan at the end of the timeframe<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Set One-Year Annual Objectives<\/strong><\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is where we determine the goals, tactics, and indicators for the upcoming year to make demonstrable progress toward our three to five-year strategic vision.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We set the annual plan in three steps:\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ol><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on our 3- to 5-year strategic vision, we then break down the larger goal into one-year annual objectives. This breakdown clarifies the tasks before us in the coming year.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For each goal, develop specific key performance indicators (KPIs), making them SMART and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sloanreview.mit.edu\/article\/with-goals-fast-beats-smart\/?utm_source=Sloan+Review&amp;utm_campaign=Sept+Biz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">FAST<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53545f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"53545f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"138\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-768x138.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21323\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-768x138.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-300x54.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-1024x184.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d766012 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d766012\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Finally, unify these objectives into an overarching annual primary objective (or theme).<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Form Action Plans\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Action plans\u2014also called <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">execution plans\u2014translate our objectives into results. They are designed to help us achieve our strategic objectives, engage our stakeholders, and prioritize our resources.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df72a2d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"df72a2d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"304\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-768x304.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21327\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-768x304.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-300x119.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-1024x405.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40e08a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"40e08a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To ensure alignment, consider each goal one at a time through the lens of organizational capacity. This analysis takes thoughtful effort but provides tremendous benefit. By challenging ourselves to understand what it will take to execute, we\u2019ll be much more likely to produce a harmonious set of action plans to achieve our vision.<\/p><p>Pages 21\u201338 of <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><strong>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/strong><\/a><\/span> will guide the <strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong> portion of your strategic planning offsite, with frameworks and discussion questions for your team.<\/p><h2><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Strategic Planning: A Process to Sustain<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p><b>The annual strategic planning process is not a project to complete but a process to sustain. <\/b>It is like a muscle that we must exercise to grow. As we do, each year we can focus on strengthening our efforts in another aspect of the planning process.<\/p><p>The table below provides a simplified overview of the initial and annual steps of the strategic plan development process. Each step\u2019s duration and involved parties will vary by company.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c93e3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3c93e3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-768x493.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21321\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-768x493.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-1024x658.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26f67df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"26f67df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C12 member <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/bob-beggs-72bb92ab\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bob Beggs<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> serves as the Executive Director o<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">f<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodworksinc.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Good Works, Inc.<\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a non-profit construction company based in Coatesville, PA. Good Works has now completed the fifth year of its five-year medium-range strategic plan. During this season, Good Works has expanded its vision, increased its reach, and had a significant impact on its customers and 1,500+ volunteers. Watch <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-uVcL6f1nHA&amp;list=PLpqejP-vQ4rZ51NyMntHUCsG4BiECUnx_\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">the video<\/span><\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to see how the strategic planning process increased the impact of this organization.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-331ff72 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"331ff72\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e3e3777\" data-id=\"e3e3777\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5329740\" data-id=\"5329740\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01c576a elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"01c576a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=-uVcL6f1nHA&amp;list=PLpqejP-vQ4rZ51NyMntHUCsG4BiECUnx_&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6b76795\" data-id=\"6b76795\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf0179d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bf0179d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Bringing It All Together: Strategically Stewarding a Better Plan<\/b><\/span><\/h2><p>The strategic planning process is an essential practice for all business leaders working to build a great business for a greater purpose. We do this by developing, communicating, and executing our strategic plans.<\/p><p>We all face challenges. We lead businesses in times of marketplace uncertainty and ambiguity. We face opposing forces and oftentimes pressure from within. But aligned to God\u2019s will and purposes, and tenacious in faith, we can keep working out our plan. We desire strategic planning that honors God. <\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imagine if, in a year\u2019s time, we could all echo Bob Beggs\u2019 words about our own businesses: that God worked <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><\/i><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-uVcL6f1nHA&amp;list=PLpqejP-vQ4rZ51NyMntHUCsG4BiECUnx_\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">way beyond what we had imagined.<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At C12, we provide Christian business leaders, CEOs, and business owners with the business tools, peer advisory groups, and executive coaching they need to thrive in business and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/abundant-life-assessment-goal-planning\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">life<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">.<\/span> To learn more about C12\u2019s approach to Christ-centered business leadership, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/join-a-forum\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">find a C12 Business Forum<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> near you.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-875ac4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"875ac4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-21335\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-289x300.png 289w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-985x1024.png 985w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-1478x1536.png 1478w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1.png 1667w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37fc6a1 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"37fc6a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">download Now<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb72b4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fb72b4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Download C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide for a step-by-step process to establish core principles and design an annual strategic planning off-site.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a7d69d2\" data-id=\"a7d69d2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An annual strategic planning process is an essential practice for every business. Throughout the annual strategic planning process, business leaders identify the most important priorities for the business, clarify why the business exists, and envision what the business looks like when it\u2019s working well. Strategic plans differentiate our companies from others in our industries. And, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":21355,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24,26,31,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","category-leadership","category-organizational-culture","category-strategy"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The CEO\u2019s Step-by-Step Guide for Your Next Strategic Planning Offsite - C12<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The CEO\u2019s Step-by-Step Guide for Your Next Strategic Planning Offsite - C12\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"An annual strategic planning process is an essential practice for every business. Throughout the annual strategic planning process, business leaders identify the most important priorities for the business, clarify why the business exists, and envision what the business looks like when it\u2019s working well. Strategic plans differentiate our companies from others in our industries. And, [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"C12\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-09-22T17:40:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-09-22T17:40:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2023-Strategic-Planning-Article.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"307\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mike Sharrow\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mike Sharrow\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mike Sharrow\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/#\/schema\/person\/3f697ce894c25d49d1512b1b8c4f6375\"},\"headline\":\"The CEO\u2019s Step-by-Step Guide for Your Next Strategic Planning Offsite\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-22T17:40:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-09-22T17:40:43+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/\"},\"wordCount\":1924,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2023-Strategic-Planning-Article-e1735580878530.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Article\",\"Christian Business Leadership\",\"Organizational Culture\",\"Strategy\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/\",\"name\":\"The CEO\u2019s Step-by-Step Guide for Your Next Strategic Planning Offsite - C12\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2023-Strategic-Planning-Article-e1735580878530.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-22T17:40:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-09-22T17:40:43+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2023-Strategic-Planning-Article-e1735580878530.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2023-Strategic-Planning-Article-e1735580878530.png\",\"width\":500,\"height\":250},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/article\/the-ceos-step-by-step-guide-for-your-next-strategic-planning-offsite\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The CEO\u2019s Step-by-Step Guide for Your Next Strategic Planning Offsite\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/\",\"name\":\"C12\",\"description\":\"Great Businesses. 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Under Mike's leadership, C12 has grown to serve more than 4,800 members worldwide, which is supported by a community of over 250 full-time Chairs. He leads the C12 headquarters team, championing the concept of BaaM (Business as a Ministry) for leaders building great businesses for a greater purpose. @mikesharrow","url":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/author\/mikesharrow\/"}]}},"fig_blocks":[{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"An annual strategic planning process is an essential practice for every business.\n\nThroughout the annual strategic planning process, business leaders identify the most important priorities for the business, clarify why the business exists, and envision what the business looks like when it\u2019s working well. Strategic plans differentiate our companies from others in our industries. And, most importantly, strategic plans help us create <strong>an inspiring vision for the future<\/strong>.\n\nIt\u2019s not easy.&nbsp;\n\nEngaging in annual strategic planning takes dedicated time and leadership tenacity. An executive team will need to pull themselves out of the day-to-day demands of the business to \u201cwork on the business, not in the business\u201d. At C12, we recommend <strong>strategic planning offsite<\/strong>. During this critical time, leaders will engage in a process to identify the business\u2019 strengths and weaknesses, factor in the economic environment, develop an inspiring long-term vision, and agree upon short-term milestones.\n\nThese sessions will include establishing:\n<ul>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A <b>first look<\/b> at core principles<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A <b>look back<\/b> at how the business performed in the past year<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A <b>look up<\/b> to God and others to whom the business is accountable for wisdom and guidance<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A <b>look around<\/b> at the business\u2019s strengths and weaknesses and the economic environment<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A<b> look ahead<\/b> to medium-range plans, annual objectives, measurable goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<style>\/*! elementor - v3.7.6 - 15-09-2022 *\/<br \/>\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"768\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-768x305.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-768x305.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-300x119.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-1024x406.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic.jpg 1160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\n<a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><b>C12\u2019s Strategic Planning Guide<\/b><\/a> contains a <b>comprehensive set of tools<\/b> to equip CEOs and Christian business owners to design a two to three-day strategic planning offsite for their executive teams. Anchored in best practices and biblical principles, the guide contains a step-by-step process for both novice and veteran planners to adapt as is appropriate in their situations.&nbsp;\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-289x300.png 289w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-985x1024.png 985w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-1478x1536.png 1478w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1.png 1667w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n<a href=\"\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\" role=\"button\">\nDownload the Strategic Planning Guide\n<\/a>\n\nIn this article, we outline C12\u2019s Business as a Ministry (BaaM) framework and a best-practice process for annual strategic planning. We\u2019ll help you align your business with God\u2019s plan and take actionable steps towards achieving your vision.&nbsp;\n<h2><strong>Strategic Planning and the Christian Business Owner<\/strong><\/h2>\nSome may believe that \u201cbusiness is business and faith is faith.\u201d At C12, our foundational understanding is that Jesus is either Lord of all or not at all. We believe, as followers of Jesus, we will be held accountable for stewarding all that the Lord has entrusted to us. And <strong>this includes our businesses<\/strong>. Our mission is to equip Christian business owners and CEOs to build great businesses for a greater purpose.\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"251\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-768x251.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-768x251.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-300x98.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-1024x335.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\nPerhaps the boldest endorsement of planning in Scripture comes from <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=luke+14%3A28-30&amp;version=ESV\">Luke 14:28-30<\/a> when Jesus told the crowds to count the cost of following Him. Jesus reached for a business example to illustrate His point: \u201c<em>For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost.<\/em>\u201d Although Jesus\u2019s point pertained to personal salvation, His tower metaphor worked because the planning imperative applies to our whole existence\u2014businesses included.\n\nThe BaaM Framework creates a conceptual outline for strategic planning that honors God. God owns the business and entrusts us to steward it. Thus, we set our strategic objectives accordingly\u2014to build <em>His<\/em> kingdom, not ours.\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-768x624.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-768x624.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-300x244.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-1024x832.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork.jpg 1164w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n<h2>Let's take a closer look at the process.<\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Annual Strategic Planning Process: First Look<\/strong><\/h2>\nBefore developing any strategic plan, we must first establish core principles, i.e. the company\u2019s <b>mission statement<\/b>, <b>vision statement<\/b>, <b>core values,<\/b> and <b>dominant selling idea<\/b>. It can be tempting to skip this step and move quickly to goal-setting. But we neglect core principles to our peril. Companies that lack foundational core principles suffer from unnecessary confusion and diminished alignment.&nbsp;\n\n<img width=\"1024\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-1024x381.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-1024x381.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-300x112.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-768x286.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1.jpg 1160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\n\nThe core principles of an organization are relatively static but can change over time, especially if a business has faced major disruption.\n\nIf your team has not established core principles, this is the place to start. Pages 40\u201343 of <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><b>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide <\/b><\/a>will guide you through the <strong>fi<\/strong><b>rst look <\/b>step of your strategic planning offsite, utilizing core frameworks and providing discussion questions for your executive team.\n<h2><strong>Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 1&nbsp;Look Back<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe unforeseen can outwit any planner, but as a rule, our long-term business outcomes hinge on the quality of our planning. Before we can effectively build strategic priorities for the year(s) to come, we must <strong>learn from the past by looking back<\/strong> at our previous year\u2019s planning and performance.\n\nWith your executive team, evaluate how well your organization\u2019s plans were implemented during the past year using this assessment.\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"318\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-768x318.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-768x318.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-1024x424.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\nSee pages 6\u20138 of <b>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/b> for more <b>Looking Back <\/b>exercises to incorporate during your strategic planning offsite.\n<h2><strong>Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 2&nbsp;Look Up<\/strong><\/h2>\nAs CEOs and business owners, we hold positions of authority within our companies. However, as Christians, we acknowledge that we serve a higher calling. We are all accountable to God. We may also be accountable to a board of directors, a founder, a regional Vice President, or a franchisor. Effective strategic planning <strong>acknowledges this upstream accountability by looking up<\/strong>.\n\nPractically, this means taking time to pray, listening for and submitting to His indwelling Spirit\u2019s guidance \u2014in our personal quiet time and in our planning meetings (if our leadership teams include other Christians). We can also find His wisdom in the Bible (which has much to say about managing a business), and from wise mentors, counselors, and others in authority over us.\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"239\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-768x239.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-768x239.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-300x93.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-1024x318.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\nPages 9\u201310 of <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><strong>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/strong><\/a> will guide the <strong>Looking Up<\/strong> portion of your strategic planning offsite, by identifying your upstream accountabilities and prompting your personal prayer time for the company.\n<h2><strong>Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 3 Look Around<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhether we are building on last year\u2019s ruins or last year\u2019s triumph (or both), awareness is the foundation of all good plans. Effective strategic planning forces us to <strong>conduct in-depth analyses by looking around<\/strong> at our core principles, the environment, the market, and the organization.\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Review Core Principles<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf core principles have already been established <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shrm.org\/resourcesandtools\/tools-and-samples\/hr-qa\/pages\/isthereadifferencebetweenacompany%E2%80%99smission,visionandvaluestatements.aspx\">mission, vision, and core values<\/a>, it is a best practice to briefly revisit them at our strategic planning offsite to affirm that they remain relevant. This ensures the organization is staying mission-true. And, occasionally, we might discover that a major disruption might cause a shift.\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Assess the Environment<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe environment in which we conduct business will necessarily affect our ability to achieve our goals. By contemplating these external factors\u2014and anticipating how they may develop\u2014we can devise strategies to deal with them. Conducting a <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/corporatefinanceinstitute.com\/resources\/knowledge\/strategy\/pestel-analysis\/?utm_source=Corporate+Finance+Institute&amp;utm_campaign=Sept+Biz\">PESTEL analysis<\/a> with our executive teams will help us identify the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal environments that may impact our business in the coming year(s).\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-768x349.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-768x349.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-300x136.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-1024x465.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Assess the Market<\/strong><\/h3>\nMarket conditions are always on the move.&nbsp; Tools such as <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.isc.hbs.edu\/strategy\/business-strategy\/Pages\/the-five-forces.aspx?utm_source=Harvard+Business+School&amp;utm_campaign=Sept+Biz\">Porter\u2019s Five Forces Analysis<\/a> shed light on the competitive forces in our industries. Assessing industry opportunities through the Five Forces framework will help your executive team consider ways to position the company for success.\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Assess the Organization<\/strong><\/h3>\nA <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mindtools.com\/pages\/article\/newTMC_05.htm\">SWOT analysis <\/a>classifies the internal aspects of a company as strengths or weaknesses and the external situational factors (as identified in your PESTEL and\/or Five Forces analysis) as opportunities or threats. Strengths might establish a competitive advantage, while weaknesses might hinder it. This analysis is particularly powerful because it can reveal opportunities that we are well placed to recognize and seize.\n\nPages 11\u201320 of <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><strong>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/strong><\/a> contains additional frameworks and tools for you to use during the <strong>Looking Around<\/strong> portion of your strategic planning offsite, along with discussion questions to guide your team.\n<h2><strong>Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 4&nbsp;Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\nOur preparatory work from the previous steps lays the necessary groundwork to <b>establish our future course of action by looking ahead. <\/b>We can now develop an effective strategic plan for next year and beyond.\n<h3><strong>Develop a Three to Five-Year Strategic Vision<\/strong><\/h3>\nA medium-range strategic vision helps us determine how we will achieve our strategic objectives. It involves:\n<ul>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Gathering our executive team every 3\u20135 years<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Specifying desired outcomes for that timeframe<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Laying out clear objectives for organizational performance<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Reviewing progress annually, updating as necessary<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Developing a new medium-range plan at the end of the timeframe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Set One-Year Annual Objectives<\/strong><\/h3>\nHere is where we determine the goals, tactics, and indicators for the upcoming year to make demonstrable progress toward our three to five-year strategic vision.\n\nWe set the annual plan in three steps:&nbsp;\n<ol>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Based on our 3- to 5-year strategic vision, we then break down the larger goal into one-year annual objectives. This breakdown clarifies the tasks before us in the coming year.<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">For each goal, develop specific key performance indicators (KPIs), making them SMART and <a href=\"https:\/\/sloanreview.mit.edu\/article\/with-goals-fast-beats-smart\/?utm_source=Sloan+Review&amp;utm_campaign=Sept+Biz\">FAST<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"138\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-768x138.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-768x138.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-300x54.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-1024x184.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">3. Finally, unify these objectives into an overarching annual primary objective (or theme).<\/p>\n\n<h3><b>Form Action Plans&nbsp;<\/b><\/h3>\nAction plans\u2014also called execution plans\u2014translate our objectives into results. They are designed to help us achieve our strategic objectives, engage our stakeholders, and prioritize our resources.&nbsp;\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"304\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-768x304.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-768x304.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-300x119.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-1024x405.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\nTo ensure alignment, consider each goal one at a time through the lens of organizational capacity. This analysis takes thoughtful effort but provides tremendous benefit. By challenging ourselves to understand what it will take to execute, we\u2019ll be much more likely to produce a harmonious set of action plans to achieve our vision.\n\nPages 21\u201338 of <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><strong>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/strong><\/a> will guide the <strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong> portion of your strategic planning offsite, with frameworks and discussion questions for your team.\n<h2><strong>Strategic Planning: A Process to Sustain<\/strong><\/h2>\n<b>The annual strategic planning process is not a project to complete but a process to sustain. <\/b>It is like a muscle that we must exercise to grow. As we do, each year we can focus on strengthening our efforts in another aspect of the planning process.\n\nThe table below provides a simplified overview of the initial and annual steps of the strategic plan development process. Each step\u2019s duration and involved parties will vary by company.\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-768x493.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-768x493.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-1024x658.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\nC12 member <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/bob-beggs-72bb92ab\/\">Bob Beggs<\/a> serves as the Executive Director of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodworksinc.org\/\">Good Works, Inc.<\/a>, a non-profit construction company based in Coatesville, PA. Good Works has now completed the fifth year of its five-year medium-range strategic plan. During this season, Good Works has expanded its vision, increased its reach, and had a significant impact on its customers and 1,500+ volunteers. Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-uVcL6f1nHA&amp;list=PLpqejP-vQ4rZ51NyMntHUCsG4BiECUnx_\">the video<\/a> to see how the strategic planning process increased the impact of this organization.&nbsp;\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-uVcL6f1nHA&amp;list=PLpqejP-vQ4rZ51NyMntHUCsG4BiECUnx_\n<h2><b>Bringing It All Together: Strategically Stewarding a Better Plan<\/b><\/h2>\nThe strategic planning process is an essential practice for all business leaders working to build a great business for a greater purpose. We do this by developing, communicating, and executing our strategic plans.\n\nWe all face challenges. We lead businesses in times of marketplace uncertainty and ambiguity. We face opposing forces and oftentimes pressure from within. But aligned to God\u2019s will and purposes, and tenacious in faith, we can keep working out our plan. We desire strategic planning that honors God.\n\nImagine if, in a year\u2019s time, we could all echo Bob Beggs\u2019 words about our own businesses: that God worked <i>\u201c<\/i><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-uVcL6f1nHA&amp;list=PLpqejP-vQ4rZ51NyMntHUCsG4BiECUnx_\"><i>way beyond what we had imagined.<\/i><\/a><i>\u201d&nbsp;<\/i>\n\n<i>At C12, we provide Christian business leaders, CEOs, and business owners with the business tools, peer advisory groups, and executive coaching they need to thrive in business and <\/i><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/abundant-life-assessment-goal-planning\/\"><i>life<\/i><\/a><i>. To learn more about C12\u2019s approach to Christ-centered business leadership, <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/join-a-forum\/\"><i>find a C12 Business Forum<\/i><\/a><i> near you.<\/i>\n\n<a href=\"\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\">\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-289x300.png 289w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-985x1024.png 985w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-1478x1536.png 1478w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1.png 1667w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<a href=\"\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\" role=\"button\">\ndownload Now\n<\/a>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Download C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide for a step-by-step process to establish core principles and design an annual strategic planning off-site.<\/p>","innerContent":["An annual strategic planning process is an essential practice for every business.\n\nThroughout the annual strategic planning process, business leaders identify the most important priorities for the business, clarify why the business exists, and envision what the business looks like when it\u2019s working well. Strategic plans differentiate our companies from others in our industries. And, most importantly, strategic plans help us create <strong>an inspiring vision for the future<\/strong>.\n\nIt\u2019s not easy.&nbsp;\n\nEngaging in annual strategic planning takes dedicated time and leadership tenacity. An executive team will need to pull themselves out of the day-to-day demands of the business to \u201cwork on the business, not in the business\u201d. At C12, we recommend <strong>strategic planning offsite<\/strong>. During this critical time, leaders will engage in a process to identify the business\u2019 strengths and weaknesses, factor in the economic environment, develop an inspiring long-term vision, and agree upon short-term milestones.\n\nThese sessions will include establishing:\n<ul>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A <b>first look<\/b> at core principles<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A <b>look back<\/b> at how the business performed in the past year<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A <b>look up<\/b> to God and others to whom the business is accountable for wisdom and guidance<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A <b>look around<\/b> at the business\u2019s strengths and weaknesses and the economic environment<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A<b> look ahead<\/b> to medium-range plans, annual objectives, measurable goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<style>\/*! elementor - v3.7.6 - 15-09-2022 *\/<br \/>\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"768\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-768x305.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-768x305.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-300x119.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic-1024x406.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Looking-graphic.jpg 1160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\n<a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><b>C12\u2019s Strategic Planning Guide<\/b><\/a> contains a <b>comprehensive set of tools<\/b> to equip CEOs and Christian business owners to design a two to three-day strategic planning offsite for their executive teams. Anchored in best practices and biblical principles, the guide contains a step-by-step process for both novice and veteran planners to adapt as is appropriate in their situations.&nbsp;\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-289x300.png 289w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-985x1024.png 985w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-1478x1536.png 1478w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1.png 1667w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n<a href=\"\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\" role=\"button\">\nDownload the Strategic Planning Guide\n<\/a>\n\nIn this article, we outline C12\u2019s Business as a Ministry (BaaM) framework and a best-practice process for annual strategic planning. We\u2019ll help you align your business with God\u2019s plan and take actionable steps towards achieving your vision.&nbsp;\n<h2><strong>Strategic Planning and the Christian Business Owner<\/strong><\/h2>\nSome may believe that \u201cbusiness is business and faith is faith.\u201d At C12, our foundational understanding is that Jesus is either Lord of all or not at all. We believe, as followers of Jesus, we will be held accountable for stewarding all that the Lord has entrusted to us. And <strong>this includes our businesses<\/strong>. Our mission is to equip Christian business owners and CEOs to build great businesses for a greater purpose.\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"251\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-768x251.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-768x251.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-300x98.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose-1024x335.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/great-business-greater-purpose.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\nPerhaps the boldest endorsement of planning in Scripture comes from <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=luke+14%3A28-30&amp;version=ESV\">Luke 14:28-30<\/a> when Jesus told the crowds to count the cost of following Him. Jesus reached for a business example to illustrate His point: \u201c<em>For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost.<\/em>\u201d Although Jesus\u2019s point pertained to personal salvation, His tower metaphor worked because the planning imperative applies to our whole existence\u2014businesses included.\n\nThe BaaM Framework creates a conceptual outline for strategic planning that honors God. God owns the business and entrusts us to steward it. Thus, we set our strategic objectives accordingly\u2014to build <em>His<\/em> kingdom, not ours.\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-768x624.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-768x624.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-300x244.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork-1024x832.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BaaM-framwork.jpg 1164w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n<h2>Let's take a closer look at the process.<\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Annual Strategic Planning Process: First Look<\/strong><\/h2>\nBefore developing any strategic plan, we must first establish core principles, i.e. the company\u2019s <b>mission statement<\/b>, <b>vision statement<\/b>, <b>core values,<\/b> and <b>dominant selling idea<\/b>. It can be tempting to skip this step and move quickly to goal-setting. But we neglect core principles to our peril. Companies that lack foundational core principles suffer from unnecessary confusion and diminished alignment.&nbsp;\n\n<img width=\"1024\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-1024x381.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-1024x381.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-300x112.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1-768x286.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/MVV-definitions-1.jpg 1160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\n\nThe core principles of an organization are relatively static but can change over time, especially if a business has faced major disruption.\n\nIf your team has not established core principles, this is the place to start. Pages 40\u201343 of <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><b>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide <\/b><\/a>will guide you through the <strong>fi<\/strong><b>rst look <\/b>step of your strategic planning offsite, utilizing core frameworks and providing discussion questions for your executive team.\n<h2><strong>Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 1&nbsp;Look Back<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe unforeseen can outwit any planner, but as a rule, our long-term business outcomes hinge on the quality of our planning. Before we can effectively build strategic priorities for the year(s) to come, we must <strong>learn from the past by looking back<\/strong> at our previous year\u2019s planning and performance.\n\nWith your executive team, evaluate how well your organization\u2019s plans were implemented during the past year using this assessment.\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"318\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-768x318.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-768x318.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment-1024x424.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SP-process-assessment.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\nSee pages 6\u20138 of <b>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/b> for more <b>Looking Back <\/b>exercises to incorporate during your strategic planning offsite.\n<h2><strong>Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 2&nbsp;Look Up<\/strong><\/h2>\nAs CEOs and business owners, we hold positions of authority within our companies. However, as Christians, we acknowledge that we serve a higher calling. We are all accountable to God. We may also be accountable to a board of directors, a founder, a regional Vice President, or a franchisor. Effective strategic planning <strong>acknowledges this upstream accountability by looking up<\/strong>.\n\nPractically, this means taking time to pray, listening for and submitting to His indwelling Spirit\u2019s guidance \u2014in our personal quiet time and in our planning meetings (if our leadership teams include other Christians). We can also find His wisdom in the Bible (which has much to say about managing a business), and from wise mentors, counselors, and others in authority over us.\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"239\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-768x239.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-768x239.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-300x93.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote-1024x318.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/john-stott-quote.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\nPages 9\u201310 of <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><strong>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/strong><\/a> will guide the <strong>Looking Up<\/strong> portion of your strategic planning offsite, by identifying your upstream accountabilities and prompting your personal prayer time for the company.\n<h2><strong>Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 3 Look Around<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhether we are building on last year\u2019s ruins or last year\u2019s triumph (or both), awareness is the foundation of all good plans. Effective strategic planning forces us to <strong>conduct in-depth analyses by looking around<\/strong> at our core principles, the environment, the market, and the organization.\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Review Core Principles<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf core principles have already been established <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shrm.org\/resourcesandtools\/tools-and-samples\/hr-qa\/pages\/isthereadifferencebetweenacompany%E2%80%99smission,visionandvaluestatements.aspx\">mission, vision, and core values<\/a>, it is a best practice to briefly revisit them at our strategic planning offsite to affirm that they remain relevant. This ensures the organization is staying mission-true. And, occasionally, we might discover that a major disruption might cause a shift.\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Assess the Environment<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe environment in which we conduct business will necessarily affect our ability to achieve our goals. By contemplating these external factors\u2014and anticipating how they may develop\u2014we can devise strategies to deal with them. Conducting a <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/corporatefinanceinstitute.com\/resources\/knowledge\/strategy\/pestel-analysis\/?utm_source=Corporate+Finance+Institute&amp;utm_campaign=Sept+Biz\">PESTEL analysis<\/a> with our executive teams will help us identify the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal environments that may impact our business in the coming year(s).\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-768x349.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-768x349.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-300x136.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL-1024x465.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PESTEL.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Assess the Market<\/strong><\/h3>\nMarket conditions are always on the move.&nbsp; Tools such as <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.isc.hbs.edu\/strategy\/business-strategy\/Pages\/the-five-forces.aspx?utm_source=Harvard+Business+School&amp;utm_campaign=Sept+Biz\">Porter\u2019s Five Forces Analysis<\/a> shed light on the competitive forces in our industries. Assessing industry opportunities through the Five Forces framework will help your executive team consider ways to position the company for success.\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Assess the Organization<\/strong><\/h3>\nA <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mindtools.com\/pages\/article\/newTMC_05.htm\">SWOT analysis <\/a>classifies the internal aspects of a company as strengths or weaknesses and the external situational factors (as identified in your PESTEL and\/or Five Forces analysis) as opportunities or threats. Strengths might establish a competitive advantage, while weaknesses might hinder it. This analysis is particularly powerful because it can reveal opportunities that we are well placed to recognize and seize.\n\nPages 11\u201320 of <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><strong>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/strong><\/a> contains additional frameworks and tools for you to use during the <strong>Looking Around<\/strong> portion of your strategic planning offsite, along with discussion questions to guide your team.\n<h2><strong>Annual Strategic Planning Process: Step 4&nbsp;Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\nOur preparatory work from the previous steps lays the necessary groundwork to <b>establish our future course of action by looking ahead. <\/b>We can now develop an effective strategic plan for next year and beyond.\n<h3><strong>Develop a Three to Five-Year Strategic Vision<\/strong><\/h3>\nA medium-range strategic vision helps us determine how we will achieve our strategic objectives. It involves:\n<ul>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Gathering our executive team every 3\u20135 years<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Specifying desired outcomes for that timeframe<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Laying out clear objectives for organizational performance<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Reviewing progress annually, updating as necessary<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Developing a new medium-range plan at the end of the timeframe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Set One-Year Annual Objectives<\/strong><\/h3>\nHere is where we determine the goals, tactics, and indicators for the upcoming year to make demonstrable progress toward our three to five-year strategic vision.\n\nWe set the annual plan in three steps:&nbsp;\n<ol>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Based on our 3- to 5-year strategic vision, we then break down the larger goal into one-year annual objectives. This breakdown clarifies the tasks before us in the coming year.<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">For each goal, develop specific key performance indicators (KPIs), making them SMART and <a href=\"https:\/\/sloanreview.mit.edu\/article\/with-goals-fast-beats-smart\/?utm_source=Sloan+Review&amp;utm_campaign=Sept+Biz\">FAST<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"138\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-768x138.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-768x138.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-300x54.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST-1024x184.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SMART-FAST.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">3. Finally, unify these objectives into an overarching annual primary objective (or theme).<\/p>\n\n<h3><b>Form Action Plans&nbsp;<\/b><\/h3>\nAction plans\u2014also called execution plans\u2014translate our objectives into results. They are designed to help us achieve our strategic objectives, engage our stakeholders, and prioritize our resources.&nbsp;\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"304\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-768x304.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-768x304.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-300x119.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote-1024x405.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Verne-harnish-quote.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\nTo ensure alignment, consider each goal one at a time through the lens of organizational capacity. This analysis takes thoughtful effort but provides tremendous benefit. By challenging ourselves to understand what it will take to execute, we\u2019ll be much more likely to produce a harmonious set of action plans to achieve our vision.\n\nPages 21\u201338 of <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\"><strong>C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide<\/strong><\/a> will guide the <strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong> portion of your strategic planning offsite, with frameworks and discussion questions for your team.\n<h2><strong>Strategic Planning: A Process to Sustain<\/strong><\/h2>\n<b>The annual strategic planning process is not a project to complete but a process to sustain. <\/b>It is like a muscle that we must exercise to grow. As we do, each year we can focus on strengthening our efforts in another aspect of the planning process.\n\nThe table below provides a simplified overview of the initial and annual steps of the strategic plan development process. Each step\u2019s duration and involved parties will vary by company.\n\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-768x493.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-768x493.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually-1024x658.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/perform-once-perform-annually.jpg 1161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\n\nC12 member <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/bob-beggs-72bb92ab\/\">Bob Beggs<\/a> serves as the Executive Director of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodworksinc.org\/\">Good Works, Inc.<\/a>, a non-profit construction company based in Coatesville, PA. Good Works has now completed the fifth year of its five-year medium-range strategic plan. During this season, Good Works has expanded its vision, increased its reach, and had a significant impact on its customers and 1,500+ volunteers. Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-uVcL6f1nHA&amp;list=PLpqejP-vQ4rZ51NyMntHUCsG4BiECUnx_\">the video<\/a> to see how the strategic planning process increased the impact of this organization.&nbsp;\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-uVcL6f1nHA&amp;list=PLpqejP-vQ4rZ51NyMntHUCsG4BiECUnx_\n<h2><b>Bringing It All Together: Strategically Stewarding a Better Plan<\/b><\/h2>\nThe strategic planning process is an essential practice for all business leaders working to build a great business for a greater purpose. We do this by developing, communicating, and executing our strategic plans.\n\nWe all face challenges. We lead businesses in times of marketplace uncertainty and ambiguity. We face opposing forces and oftentimes pressure from within. But aligned to God\u2019s will and purposes, and tenacious in faith, we can keep working out our plan. We desire strategic planning that honors God.\n\nImagine if, in a year\u2019s time, we could all echo Bob Beggs\u2019 words about our own businesses: that God worked <i>\u201c<\/i><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-uVcL6f1nHA&amp;list=PLpqejP-vQ4rZ51NyMntHUCsG4BiECUnx_\"><i>way beyond what we had imagined.<\/i><\/a><i>\u201d&nbsp;<\/i>\n\n<i>At C12, we provide Christian business leaders, CEOs, and business owners with the business tools, peer advisory groups, and executive coaching they need to thrive in business and <\/i><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/resources\/abundant-life-assessment-goal-planning\/\"><i>life<\/i><\/a><i>. To learn more about C12\u2019s approach to Christ-centered business leadership, <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/join-a-forum\/\"><i>find a C12 Business Forum<\/i><\/a><i> near you.<\/i>\n\n<a href=\"\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\">\n<img width=\"768\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-768x798.png 768w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-289x300.png 289w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-985x1024.png 985w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1-1478x1536.png 1478w, https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SPG-ipad-mockup-1.png 1667w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<a href=\"\/resources\/2023-strategic-planning-guide\/\" role=\"button\">\ndownload Now\n<\/a>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Download C12\u2019s 2023 Strategic Planning Guide for a step-by-step process to establish core principles and design an annual strategic planning off-site.<\/p>"]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21311"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21311\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.joinc12.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}