how to write a foreword for a strategic plan how to write a foreword for a strategic plan

Nor is KPMGs target mid-size firms with limited budgets. They look ok on my end but let me know if youre having trouble viewing them. You can choose from many templates to help you write this section. That is, what the organization wanted from employees. Since September 11, 2001, the United States has established a strong and sophisticated counterterrorism enterprise to reduce the threat of large-scale terrorist attacks on the homeland. 1. It can even involve immersing yourself in the stakeholder experience by going through it, e.g. Writing about your industry helps you identify new opportunities for growth and shows you how you need to change in order to take advantage of those opportunities. Turn enterprise strategy into functional initiatives with a succinct plan you can easily communicate to stakeholders. This is such a useful guide. Integrity 5. In this post, well take a look at how to write a foreword if youve been asked to write one for a book, plus real foreword examples. The answers to this question help you identify your goals for the future of the business and assess whether your current trajectory is the future you want. An example goal: Increase website fundraising. How are matters inside your company? 2023. There are three areas to look at when setting priorities in your plan: Current situation: Think about which aspects of your business are doing great, and which aspects need improvement. Thank-you for giving pointers on writing a foreward. The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. See how you can align global teams, build and scale business-driven solutions, and enable IT to manage risk and maintain compliance on the platform for dynamic work. Each section of a book has its own purpose and goals, from the front matter to the appendix. For more information about writing an effective executive summary, a checklist, and free templates, read this article. focussed on delivering the Government's strategic agenda and meeting community needs, with the agility to deliver consistently, responsively and sustainably. endstream For example, phrases like delivering a wonderful experience could apply to many industries. <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 720 540] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> The planning process takes time. Streamline requests, process ticketing, and more. Hassle-Free Documents With Template.net's Free Printable Sample Templates. Translate enterprise ambitions into a strategic plan your function can actually use. Offer a 15-minute call to ask them some questions, interview style. Writing a strategic plan can be daunting, as the process includes many steps. endobj endobj Organize, manage, and review content production. Here are some tips to help you write an effective foreword: Here are some excerpts of forewords written by influential people for lesser-known authors: This Christian nonficiton book on prayer has a foreword written by Mike Bickle, founder of the International House of Prayer-Kansas City, a very appropriate person to comment on the subject. It takes some time and money to do [a thorough industry analysis], but the lack of that understanding says a lot about the future of your organization. For example, these might include the factors influencing the decision to purchase from you. Third, figure out what these stakeholders want from you. It has been said that the shortest distance between two points is clarity, and this strategic planning cycle brings about clarity. Not everyone has a vision statement, McNerney says. Flattery has no room in the foreword. Identify your key competitors, and define what you see as their strengths and weaknesses. But there is a fine line between being ambitious and creating a fantasy. What some people call an objective, others would call a KPI. They key, she explains, is to decide what the terms mean in your organization, explain the definitions to key stakeholders, and stick to those definitions. One tip: Try to avoid jargon and generic terms; for example, words like maximize and succeed lose their punch. Positioning is a fundamental step of the strategic planning process. Thus, they can concentrate on the process and ask difficult questions. Thanks Gerald, glad you enjoyed the post! Were glad you found Yens post helpful, Oberlene. endobj Toyota and McDonalds are two that I deal with that fall into that category. 14 0 obj Before you even start writing the book, it is important that you ask the . Each goal should reflect something you uncovered during the analysis phase of your strategic planning process. Configure and manage global controls and settings. Post the plan on the employee intranet, along with key highlights and a way to track progress. We described these as: farmers-as-shareholders and farmers-as-suppliers. I am delighted to present to you the CUHK Strategic Plan 20162020, which outlines the strategic visions and goals we have identified to help the University realize its full potential and better fulfil its mission to serve the society as Hong Kong citizens as well as the wider community as global citizens. The Chinese University of Hong Kong. You will learn why the foreword is an essential selling tool for the book. Using the information you discovered during your SWOT and mission statement process, come up with goals that align with your values. Were so glad you found Yens post helpful! A financial plan can help you set your priorities. Use the goal example from earlier: Increase total revenue by 5 percent in three product areas by the third quarter of 2020. We would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed to the various stages of the formulation of this Strategic Plan. All rights reserved. I am in the process of working to get my fathers autobiograpy published and the book designer I have been working with suggested I write a foreward to explain myself; First, why I am publishing his book and second who I am. It is important to be honest with yourself. Required fields are marked *. Foreword Samples for Thesis and Report (6+ Examples) The content provided in the foreword should introduce the reader to the author or work, explain why the reader should read the book, and give the book or author credibility. In the context of changing global trends and increasing competition in higher education, we considered it a priority to further strengthen our academic development and research as well as student development. A strategic plan is a key guiding document for any school, and can have far-reaching effects. The sooner you can grab and hold the reader's attention, the better. Are your targets realistic and time-bound? 7. Some people call this walking with one leg and running with the other. Creating a strategic plan isnt only for businesses. Here I show you how to write the book foreword in four easy steps. (my father passed in 2006). Your goals are where you want to go. If you have access to a plan from a previous year, see how your department did in meeting its goals. Get answers to common questions or open up a support case. Think of it as your roadmap. Why a strategic plan is crucial in any school . 6 0 obj What do you want to do more or less? If something does not fit within your personal mission, you shouldnt do it. endobj (This is a necessity, because strategy execution is a lot more challenging than it might seem.) Client focus 3. Many companies values sound like meaningless jargon, so take the time to figure out what matters to your company and push beyond generic language. Below the red dotted line are the implementation pieces. 12 0 obj Its the reason you exist or what you do.. endobj The key is to include what is important to you. Tactic 1.1.2: Develop agenda. The answers to these questions make up the meat of the planning document. As it does within a business, this statement will help guide you in making future decisions. [If you dont do a thorough industry analysis], youre doing your planning with your head in the sand. Kick-Off Meeting: 1 hr. I would spontaneously go about saying how about we do this/how about we do that. At its best. In contrast,the foreword is written by someone else and is meant to endorse the author and their work. The sixth step is continuous improvement. We would all like to accomplish every goal, but sometimes we do not have enough money to do so. endobj Its imperative to make sure the mission statement accurately fits the organization. What are the benefits of writing a Strategic Plan? endobj (updated July 17, 2021). You'll want to start your foreword by introducing yourself, the book, and the author. stream All Rights Reserved. Transmittal Certificate; Foreword; ACT Public Service at a glance; About the Report . 4 0 obj Did you find this post helpful? It was seat-of-the-pants stuff. He explains that he often begins planning projects with three questions: What would happen if you did what you want to do? Resource identification. Think of goal writing as a formula: Action + detail of the action + a measurable metric + a deadline = goal. Stay honest. Manage Settings Download One-Page Executive Summary Template. These pieces also become a key part of the book's metadata file. I could not know the areas to concentrate on. Learn why customers choose Smartsheet to empower teams to rapidly build no-code solutions, align across the entire enterprise, and move with agility to launch everyones best ideas at scale. [3] Performing this analysis will help you figure out what you do best and how you compare to your competition. Promote the three key product areas on the website and in email newsletters. Develop a Shared Vision 6. Move faster with templates, integrations, and more. Whether you are a nonprofit, a school, or a for-profit entity, strategic plans will look at where you are and how you will get to where you want to go. You need to make sure someone is good, so there needs to be a vetting process, he says. Copyright 2016 Lingnan University. The foreword, which is usually written by an industry expert or influential figure for someone elses book, can help establish the authors credibility. Get a free cross-functional project template. While many organizations have both mission and vision statements, its not imperative. Most of the time, you will not have to go into too much detail. Affiliate Disclosure: We may be compensated from the retailer if you purchase a book or product recommended on this website. I have one such document in front of me as I write this. Every action your company does contributes to its vision. In this article, youll learn the basics of writing a strategic plan, what to include, common challenges, and more. Automate business processes across systems. Team troubles can also occur when one or more members does not think the plan is important or does not buy into the process. For example, if a vision statement is No child goes to bed hungry, the accompanying mission would be to provide food banks within the city limits. It tells you and your team where you're going as a company and how to get there. A strategy plan, more commonly known as a strategic plan, is a list of strategic goals together with an action plan to achieve each goal. Students are always our first priority at Lingnan as we pride ourselves on transforming young hearts and minds through a unique learning experience. Fifth, design your strategy around these requirements. After establishing your relationship with the author, you can start talking about the book. Now I can see the way forward. But then you become aware that some of the employees are also owners, and the complexity grows. For example, if your goal is to achieve success as a strategic planner, your objective would be to write all sections of the strategic plan in one month. If you have a failing project and need to turn it around, this article might help. This is the output of strategy planning and may be developed at the level of an organization, department or team. Manage campaigns, resources, and creative at scale. For example, at a manufacturer of specialized air conditioners for computer rooms, customer service, as youd expect, meant handling enquiries and dealing with complaints. But research showed that customer service had additional dimensions in the minds of their customers, namely technical support pre- and post-sale. Getting to grips with the full extent of the customers expectations led to insight which drove the companys strategy. Without it, the process cannot succeed. Foreword vs. A foreword is a brief introductory piece in a book that is usually written by someone other than then author (but can be written by the author himself). After the meetings are over, you have to turn your strategy into action, says Stefan Hofmeyer, an experienced strategist and co-founder of Global PMI Partners. It should be relatively easy to write. The fourth step is to identify what these stakeholder groups want from you. How to write a strategic plan Creating a strategic plan involves using an appropriate layout, format and elements to specify the company strategy. Write in a style similar to that of the book. You should be able to defend your plan and reinforce its key areas. Thank you Olaoluwa, were glad you found the post helpful! Im so glad you found it helpful for your friends foreword! Its other key stakeholders were distributors; customers-retail; customers-industrial/food service; consumers; and employees. At the same time, the United States is confronting a dynamic range of national security challenges, including strategic competition, cybersecurity . This section is the bulk of your strategic plan. The writer of the foreword offers his or her integrity and credibility to the author, convincing others to read the book. A foreword is a short introduction paragraph written by someone other than the author of a book or a report. They describe how you will measure the progress needed to arrive at the destination you outlined in the goal. Organizations which practice this system-design approach to strategic planning turn out to be gob-smackingly great. Instead, be honest about the strengths that you see in the author. Create a simple one-page view that's both easy to follow and communicate. But be careful to not create too many goals. What You Will Learn 1. By writing a foreword, a person expresses their approval or support for the research and its author. Remember, several objectives and action steps will likely come from each goal. The Strategic Plan represents the concerted efforts of the University stakeholders, whose valuable input has been incorporated in this document. ElA)Z{%e,M |+a12%7(sF_bnXg_ She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. 8 0 obj I am happy as this was very helpful to me to write a foreward for a very close friend. When writing your performance indicators, pay attention to the following: Define how often you need to report results. Mission and vision statements are both important, but they serve very different purposes. Mission statements should do the following: Define your companys purpose. What some people call a goal, others call an objective. <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 720 540] /Contents 12 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 1>> That, if they wish, you could get a verbal foreword. For example, KPMG only hires staff who are qualified to offer services for large corporate and big government customers. Once youve assembled your team and defined your terms, its time to formalize your ideas by writing the strategic plan. I have watched his children become established as godly young people, and have appreciated deeply the contributions this family has brought to this city, first to Metro Christian Fellowship, and now to the House of Prayer. Similarly, the University aims to maintain a world-class infrastructure that supports our academic endeavours in an information age. In addition to guiding your entire company, it also helps your employees make decisions that move them toward the companys overall mission and goals. You can use many models and formats to create your strategic plan (read more about them in this article). Vision statements should accomplish the following: Look at and project about five to 10 years ahead. Some planning specialists use the term strategic objectives or strategic priorities when referring to goals, but for clarity, this article will use the term goals. Get expert help to deliver end-to-end business solutions. You will know when you achieve an objective. One important element that nonfiction authors may want to include is a foreword. Download University Strategic Plan Outline Word. Think of the acronym SMART when writing objectives: Make them specific, measurable, achievable, realistic/relevant, and time-bound. <> How to Write a Foreword in 5 Steps Writing a foreword is simple and straightforward for someone who knows your book and feels a real connection to it and to you. Breaking down the process further, some strategic planners use the terms strategies and tactics to label ways to achieve objectives. If you do not consider the additional costs or revenues your plan is going to drive, you may be creating a plan you cannot implement.. Get expert coaching, deep technical support and guidance. In addition to the basic sections that go into any strategic plan, when forecasting five years into the future, put one- and three-year checkpoints into the plan so you can track progress intermittently. <> Owner/CEO, Strategy Leader. A strategic plan is the end result of an intentional planning effort. Establish your planning team and schedule. Avoid broad statements that could apply to any company or industry. Pinpointing values will help you figure out the traits of the people you want to hire and promote, as well as the qualities youre looking for in your customers. Unlike other parts of your strategic plan that are designed to be reviewed and edited periodically, your companys mission statement should live as is for a while. It often can be helpful to have a really good facilitator to organize and pursue strategic conversations, says Professor John M. Bryson, McKnight Presidential Professor of Planning and Public Affairs at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota and author of Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement. For example, your goals might be the following: Each goal should have a stated outcome and a deadline. A roadmap to launch and grow your organization Process as important as product (perhaps more important) Aligns stakeholders around strategic priorities Communicates your goals, strategies and programs Engages, motivates, and retains external and internal audiences (e.g., board, staff, donors, etc.) Through engagement with the public we will better articulate, develop and communicate an identity consistent with our visions in order to facilitate the community in understanding our goals and recognizing our achievements. The following sections walk you through how to write common sections of a strategic plan. As with any team activity, there will be challenges. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Conflict is part of strategic planning, Bryson admits. Mission statements should not be vague or generic, and they should set your business apart from others. A foreword is optional. Since he and Mary came with their family to Kansas City in 1996, I have watched him grow in his relationship with the Man Christ Jesus to the place where his heart burns with the desire to go deeper and deeper in the knowledge of the beauty of the Lord. EdUHK Strategic Plan 2016-2025 Council Chairman's Foreword Strategic planning is indispensable for any organisation. Think about what they want and need, as well as how you can provide it. xMo@s\d!Nm,P@l@lEv/"a1rzG)eSSPB;G:s1_L5Bm. The completion of the new government office blocks . Looking too far ahead can be daunting, especially for a new or changing company. If employees cannot accurately articulate what you do to others, you might miss out on opportunities. When it comes to writing a strategic plan, values represent how you'll behave as an organization as you work towards your vision. A good example of this is a one-page strategic plan for the whole school approach. After you introduce yourself, share how you got to know the author. Include a section in your strategic plan where you talk about the capacity of your organization. Your simple outline and examples got me through the block. You dont need dozens of strategic goals. (Check out our post on how to ask for a foreword if youre looking for someone to introduce your book.). :). Commitment 2. He always writes summaries last, after he has all the data and information he needs for the plan. By writing a foreword, a person expresses their approval or support for the research and its author. You will learn to create a book foreword in four easy steps. Work smarter and more efficiently by sharing information across platforms. She recommends coming up with a kind of glossary that defines the terms for your team. We are investing to build a better future for the Hong Kong, regional and global communities. Second, identify a specific, very important key stakeholder: your target customer. Overcoming adversity is one way for companies to grow. These aspects of the plan outline a strategy for achieving success and can include the following: Vision statement about what the company will look like in the future, What is happening (both internally and externally) and what needs to change. A SWOT analysis on yourself will give you some honest feedback if you let it. Required fields are marked *. Glad you liked Yens article, Bijaya :). You can use templates as your references if you want to come up with a nursing strategic plan that is polished and formal looking. Some should go out five to 10 years, others will be shorter some significantly so. Owner/CEO, Strategy Director. 1. Some funding sources have finite beginnings and endings. Its really the concept of what the intention of the terms are [that is important], says Denise McNerney, President and CEO of iBossWell, Inc., and incoming president of the Association for Strategic Planning (ASP). Instead, strategic planning experts use many names for the different sections of a strategic plan. Foreword. Some specific areas that have been identified for action in the early years of this strategic plan are: Learning and Development The mission provides items to act upon, and the vision offers goals to aspire to. It also helps you rule out elements that might not align with your vision. The steps in creating a plan for a department are the same as for an overall strategic plan, but the mission statement, vision, SWOT analysis, goals, objectives, and so on are specific to only the people in your department. In addition to a SWOT analysis and other sections that go into any strategic plan, a nonprofit needs to keep an eye on changing factors, such as funding. Objectives often begin with the words increase or decrease because they are quantifiable and measurable. Steps 1 Contemplate your organization's vision. These available templates can be used to get more sales and attract potential investors. Write in a style similar to that of the book. A strategic plan is a dynamic document or presentation that details your companys present situation, outlines your future plans, and shows you how the company can get there. Streamline your construction project lifecycle. It should encourage and inspire employees while setting your companys direction. If an ally will write a short note of endorsement (or a full-scale Foreword or Preface), we can use the best lines in several ways: A KPI dashboard can help you set up and track your performance and for more information about setting up a KPI dashboard, this article can help. ls the goal quantifiable, and can you measure it over time? We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In many cases, the sections of a strategic plan build on each other, so you may have to write them in order. While five years is often the strategic planning sweet spot, some organizations choose to create three-year plans. %PDF-1.5 Write in the present tense, avoid jargon, and be clear and concise. Your team should be able to easily understand and repeat the companys vision statement. One symptom of this is not aligning the plan to fit the capacity or finances of the company. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. "Acknowledgment" vs "Acknowledgement" | Which one is correct? Foreword. Is it cost-effective to collect that data? Next, identify your target customers. Download Nonprofit Strategic Plan Template. Peter Drucker, a management thinker from the '50s and '60s, said, "The best way to predict your future is to create it." The goal of strategic planning is to articulate the paths that will create the desired future. Question: Is it necessary for the person writing your foreword to sate the city and state where they live? The trick is to identify stakeholder roles. Do your competitors attract your target customers, or do you have a niche that sets you apart? Recognize that no matter what you decide, there is no certainty in the result once you embark on implementation via an action plan and scorecard. Some managers felt that the idea of actually being able to exert significant Peer pressure can be a strong force, especially if a boss or other manager is the one making suggestions and people feel pressured to conform. You can think of them this way: Goals: Goals are broad statements about what you want to achieve as a company, and theyre usually qualitative. Keep it short and sweet. It was a national distributor of milk and other dairy products and in it, farmers occupied two roles. Strategic planning is often continuous for nonprofits. You will learn that the reader's wants and needs come first - before your need for self-promotion. Step one is to recognize your dependencies, i.e. Positioning of the University & Its Ideal Graduates, Positioning of the University and Its Ideal Graduates, Appendix 1 Terms of Reference and Membership List of the Steering Group for the Development of the 2016-2022 Strategic Plan, Appendix 2 - Profile of the Ideal Lingnan Graduate, Key Strategic Areas, Goals and Initiatives. endobj While writing your strategic plan, you should think about how to share it. You must set your strategic priorities first, and that often takes time. Remember that the foreword is addressed to the reader. Do you have the team members to accomplish the objectives you have outlined in order to reach your goals? Youre very welcome, were so glad you found the post helpful :). Adjust the new plan accordingly.