Summer of 2009 is behind us and now it is time for businesses to plan for the next year. This is the time when most of the management time is invested in formulating strategies, both short-term and long-term. All levels of the management are active during these sessions to contribute in the process. I have found that many times people get lost when some words such as 'vision', 'strategy', 'execution' and the likes are used in such brainstorming sessions, due to which the businesses may be devoid of some good ideas that may come from unexpected lower level source.
Simply put, one starts with 'target/s' (aka vision / goal / objectives). Decides what to do (aka strategy) to achieve the target. And then during the given time frame gets it done (aka execution).
My friend 'targeted' to spend his summer vacations in Spain. He (along with his wife) decided the airline, hotel, daily care for their pet dog during their absence, and back up arrangement in their respective offices - thus, formulated the 'strategies'. They did as they planned and also adjusted in between the vacation due to an unexpected call from one of the dear ones - thus, they executed the strategy and also adjusted mid-course based on the situational demand.
In my experience such simple examples strikes a cord with most of the people, which increases their participation which in turn increases the inputs (badly needed by any business).
