Strategic planning is important to an organization because it provides a sense of direction and outlines measurable goals. Strategic planning is a tool that is useful for guiding day-to-day decisions and also for evaluating progress and changing approaches when moving forward. Strategic thinking enables a business owner to determine how to use these resources most effectively and advance the company toward its objectives. Strategic thinking focuses the management team on markets that are most likely to succeed.
Here some benefits of strategic planning:
1. It allows organizations to be proactive rather than reactive
A strategic plan allows organizations to foresee their future and to prepare accordingly. Through strategic planning, companies can anticipate certain unfavorable scenarios before they happen and take necessary precautions to avoid them. With a strong strategic plan, organizations can be proactive rather than merely reacting to situations as they arise. Being proactive allows organizations to keep up with the ever-changing trends in the market and always stay one step ahead of the competition.
2. It sets up a sense of direction
A strategic plan helps to define the direction in which an organization must travel, and aids in establishing realistic objectives and goals that are in line with the vision and mission charted out for it. A strategic plan offers a much-needed foundation from which an organization can grow, evaluate its success, compensate its employees and establish boundaries for efficient decision-making
3. It increases operational efficiency
A strategic plan provides management the roadmap to align the organization’s functional activities to achieve set goals. It guides management discussions and decision making in determining resource and budget requirements to accomplish set objectives — thus increasing operational efficiency.
4. It helps to increase market share and profitability
Through a dedicated strategic plan, organizations can get valuable insights on market trends, consumer segments, as well as product and service offerings which may affect their success. An approach that is targeted and well-strategized to turn all sales and marketing efforts into the best possible outcomes can help to increase profitability and market share.
5. It can make a business more durable
Business is a tumultuous concept. A business may be booming one year and in debt the next. With constantly changing industries and world markets, organizations that lack a strong foundation, focus and foresight will have trouble riding the next wave. According to reports, one of every three companies that are leaders in their industry might not be there in the next five years… but the odds are in favor of those that have a strong strategic plan!