The following is a list of questions that will enable us and you to better
determine a need for more planning within your company.


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Guide to Strategic Thinking



CURRENT

Is what you offer new or existing?
New Existing Both


Are they high, medium, or low margin products/services?
High Medium Low Mixed


Are they high, medium, or low priced products/services?
High Medium Low Mixed

Does your company have a reputation for high, medium, or low quality products/services?
High Medium Low Mixed

Was your reputation planned?
Yes No

Do you want to change your current reputation?
Yes No

Is your company looked upon as an innovative industry leader?
Yes No

Was it planned?
Yes No

Do you want to change your image?
Yes No

Do your customers proactively seek advice from your company?
Yes No Sometimes

Do you want to change this?
Yes No

Are your products/services a low, medium, or high priority to your customers?
Low Medium High

In order of importance, list the benefits the customer receives from using your products/services:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.


In order of importance, list the benefits the customer receives from doing business with your company:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.


Why do your current customers buy from your company now?


Where would you like to position the company?


In one sentence, what do your customers value most about your company that makes a difference to them?


How easy is it for your customers to do business with you?


Is your goal to increase share or penetrate whole new markets?
Increase share Penetrate Both

Do you have a written sales plan?
Yes No

If yes, how effective is it?
Very Somewhat Not

Do you have a written marketing plan?
Yes No

If yes, how effective is it?
Very Somewhat Not

Do you have a written business plan?
Yes No

If yes, how effective is it?
Very Somewhat Not

Do you have a written strategic plan?
Yes No

If yes, how effective is it?
Very Somewhat Not

If yes, how far out does it go from today?
One year Three years Five years Ten years+

If yes, is the company strategy aligned in such a way that everyone, from the maintenance person to the CEO knows and understands their contribution to the plan?
Yes No

Do you have a company vision statement?
Yes No

If yes, what is it?


Do you have a company mission statement?
Yes No


If yes, what is it?


Do your employees know what this is and what it means?
Yes No


Does the company live by it?
Yes No

Do your customers know what it is and what it means?
Yes No Not sure

Are you consistently meeting your long and short range goals?
Yes No

Do you have the types of new products underway in your R&D department that will provide continuous revenue growth in the years ahead?
Yes No

If no, what are you doing about it?


Can your current sales channels handle your future worldwide revenue forecasts?
Yes No

If no, or not sure, what plans are you making to correct it?


Can your current operations and processes compete in the future?
Yes No Not sure


If no, or not sure, what plans are you making to correct it?


What changes are taking place within the industries you serve that you will need to address?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.


What new technologies are being created in other industries that could directly impact yours?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.


Do you have a feedback loop with your customers that offers them a means to interact with you?
Yes No


If yes, what is it?


Do you promote the company now?
Yes No


If yes, how?
trade ads
public relations
direct mail
trade shows
website
website
seminars
telemarketing
affiliate program
other/describe


If you have a web site, do you have a written plan for it?
Yes No


Do you have a customer retention/account management program in place?
Yes No

Do you sell regionally, nationally, or worldwide?
Regionally Nationally Worldwide

What is the biggest problem facing you right now?


Is it a current problem?
Yes No




FUTURE

By how much do you want to grow your company?
% in the next year
% in the next five years
% in the next ten years


Is there a plan to make this happen?
Yes No


Are your current cash flows, credit lines and financial plans sufficient to get you there?
Yes No Not sure

Does everyone in the company know and understand the plan and goals?
Yes No

Has everyone bought into them?
Yes No Not sure

Do you have the tools and personnel in place to accomplish it?
Yes No

Do you have the right people in key places?
Yes No

Are you working on any predictable near or long term problems?
Yes No

List your top five concerns regarding your company's future:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.


What will the Wall Street Journal say about your company ten years from now?


What would you like them to say?


What will your company's image be in 2020?


What products/services will you offer in 2015?


How will the future of your industry be different in ten years?


What's happening with the industry that's new and scary?


What values are important to your company?


What will your company's values be in 2025?


Who will be your customers ten years from now?


Who will be your competitors ten years from now?


What more can your company be than it is now?


What more does it need to be?


What steps are you taking to ensure the company's longevity?


What are you doing to take control and shape the future of your company before someone or some new technology does it for you?


What new technologies can you tap into to open new opportunities?


Your Name:


Your Title:


Company Name:


Phone:


Sic Code:


Address:


City:


State:


Zip:


Fax:


E-mail:


Website:






If you have any questions, concerns or wish to discuss your strategic planning needs, please call: 1-800-397-0010.

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