Smart Solutions Group has assisted numerous organizations with creating and updating strategic plans.   The Group’s approach is to focus the organization’s future efforts on results-driven strategies and actions that will enhance and maximize the organization’s success and align and leverage resources to achieve greater efficiencies.

Step 1:  Getting Ready

Smart Solutions Group will meet with leadership of the organization to prepare and get organized for the strategic planning session.  The meeting will be utilized to:

• Gather background information the organization’s current economic development situation;
  
• Review the current strategic plan, if one exists, to consider—“what’s working-why,” “what’s not working—why not,” “what can be done better” and to determine overall outcomes/progress to date;
  
• Identify expectations of board members, investors and partners; and
  
• Identify critical issues that will frame the agenda for the strategic planning session.

Summary of the meeting including critical issues identified for the strategic planning session.

Step 2:  Assessing the Current Situation

Utilizing information and reports provided by the organization and information/data gathered from secondary research, Smart Solutions Group will conduct a review of the current situation—the organization and the location—in terms of economic development activity and growth.  The findings will be utilized to develop the issues agenda and background materials for the strategic planning session.

Agenda and background materials including an overview of “where the organization and the location are now” to base planning decisions.

Step 3:  Strategic Planning For Success . . . Insights.  Direction.  Solutions.

Smart Solutions Group will facilitate the strategic planning session with board members, staff and key stakeholders, e.g. economic development partners, investors.  The three-part session will consider the following questions: 

• “Where are the organization and the location now?” and “Where does the organization want to be in the future?”  Smart Solutions Group will review and reach consensus on the current economic development situation and critical issues impacting the organization and future growth  and development of the area—strengths, weaknesses and challenges.   Insights into the current situation will be utilized to articulate and/or update the organization’s mission and vision statements and measurable goals and objectives.
  
  
• “What does the organization need to do to get there?” and “How will they know they’ve arrived?”  Approaches and strategies to attaining the agreed upon goals and objectives will be explored and consensus will be reached on the focus and direction of the organization including actions steps, timeframes, priorities for resource allocation and measurements of success.
   
  
• “What resources are needed by the organization to get there?” Consensus will be reached on creative solutions to allocating and aligning resources to effectively and efficiently implement the plan to achieve success.
  
  

Strategic Plan for Organizational Success including written plan and PowerPoint presentation.

Smart Solutions Group Fees for Services - The cost of this service will be based on the local situation but is not expected to exceed $5,000 plus expenses.  Aquila may pay up to $3,000 or one-half the total cost plus consultant travel expenses, with the community providing the balance. Group meeting meals and refreshments are the responsibility of the local economic development organization.

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For more information, complete our Information Request Form or contact your Economic Development Team Representative.