Strategy Development Processes and Services

CMOE has extensive experience in the strategy field. We regularly work with senior leadership teams to develop or improve strategy that will help them maintain their current competitive advantage, find new sources of competitive advantage, and sustain long-term growth.

What are the Stages of the Strategy Development Process?

Strategy development processes do not need to be complicated, but it is important to discuss, debate, and create plans using a proven strategy framework. We always begin the strategy-development process with an assessment and thorough analysis of the organization so that we understand the client’s background and challenges, as well as the key factors that have led to their success to this point in time. This process also helps us discover the dominant thought patterns in the firm or functional areas and the assumptions people make about the following areas:

• The organization’s current direction
• The organization’s infrastructure
• The predominant point of view about the organization’s competitors and suppliers
• The level of risk and opportunities present in the external business environment
•  The relationship with customers and what they think about the organization’s ability to meet their current and future needs

This foundation becomes the basis for creating a strategic plan that addresses the challenges and opportunities facing the organization or team using CMOE’s proven processes and tools and with the guidance of a skilled facilitator.

While each client’s strategy-development working session or retreat is unique, CMOE’s process typically includes the following steps:

1. Gather objective data

   Begin the process by gathering data to understand where the business is today: the business drivers, current business model, history of the organization, and dilemmas the organization faces.

2. Examine the current strategy

   Discuss and seek to understand the organization’s current strategy process and plan of action.

3. Review needed changes

   Analyze current priorities, initiatives, and programs and assess how they can be utilized to maintain continuity in addition to developing an understanding of the changes that are needed to position the company for long-term success.

4. Identify creative strategy tools
   • Explore and select creative tools to be introduced at the strategy retreat that will enhance the strategy-formulation process.
5. Create a customized strategy development process
   • Design a customized business strategy development process or methodology that addresses the organization’s needs and meets its requirements. Formulate a practical agenda for the retreat that will enable the business to go forward with more strategic intent and shape the future.
6. Build a foundation for the strategy development process
   • Prior to each retreat, attendees complete assignments, respond to questions, and read relevant articles or other materials to prepare for an intensely interactive and focused experience. The pre-work is organized and made available prior to the session in order to accelerate the strategy-development process and lay the foundation for a productive and rewarding experience at the retreat.
7. Achieve desired results through expert facilitation
   • Facilitate the strategy retreat in a way that enables the leadership team members to collaborate and build consensus on key decisions and solutions that address the organization’s challenges, as well as allow them to resolve issues and differences in a constructive and positive way.
8. Establish accountability teams and measures of effectiveness
   • Ensure that leadership team members have an ongoing role or responsibility by establishing Strategic Opportunities for Improvement teams (SOFI) so the organization can be prepared to operationalize their strategic plan. These teams are responsible for achieving results and being accountable for progress. Conduct a “Results Forum” after approximately three to six months to measure progress, share updates, and receive input and guidance from other accountability teams.

As a result of this process, CMOE is able to help the organization’s leaders walk away with strategies and plans that are more aligned. They are also provided with the structure needed to cascade the strategies and plans down so that supporting strategies, accountability, and discipline can be established throughout the organization.

Contact CMOE to learn more about how we can provide strategy development processes and services that are right for your organization and will put it on the pathway to long-term success.