Chapter Twenty Eight - Putting Strategy Into Action - Melanie Schmidt

"We Wish We Had Known - Everyday Tips from Consultants to Grow Your Business"

#Strategic Planning
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Putting Strategy Into Action

MELANIE SCHMIDT
Timpano Group
Strategy Consultant and Thought Partner
timpanogroup.com / mschmidt@timpanogroup.com

Opportunities abound for organizations that employ strategic thinking to inform practical planning and simple systems to maintain their momentum. I’d experienced too many unfortunate processes and seen too many strategic plans go unused. My passion for aligning strategy, systems, processes and people led to a better way.

Applied strategy makes for purposeful progress.

      No more strategic planning relegated to a retreat or check-the-box activity. Dynamic strategic planning aligns people in their direction and thinking. It creates tools that can be used across all levels to focus work and help people find their ways, particularly through challenging times.

      No more documents hefty enough to be used as door stops or uninspiring so they waste the energy that went into their creation. A plan coupled with a quick reference roadmap makes it easier for people to understand context and navigate changing conditions.

Put your strategy to work for you in finding your way forward.

      In chaotic times, don’t set aside your strategic framework. Pull it out. Use it as a guide, remembering what was essential when it was created. Start with your ideology:

• Wondering how to move forward? Look to your organizational values.
• Wondering what really matters right now? Go back to your mission.
• Wondering why you’re doing what you’re doing? Reread your vision.

      If you find they aren’t providing you with the guidance you needed, it’s time for a refresh.

      Use the plan to focus on what needs to be done and be proud of the way in which it happened.

Build momentum by using strategy to focus efforts.

• Keep the thinking alive by keeping the strategic plan in front of you. Post the roadmap version on the wall. Have a file you can scan quickly.
• Reference it. Use the language as the basis for communicating about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Check decisions against what you planned. Cite the strategy for decisions made.
• Break it down into an annual operating plan with critical initiatives. Empower staff to put it into action – and expect progress by connecting to performance expectations and routine conversations about what people are doing.
• Set monthly success targets. Schedule a look back/look ahead discussion on the first workday of every month to review what was accomplished the month before, what will be considered success in the month ahead, and what might get in the way.
• Periodically catalogue what has been accomplished. Create the record of progress to be celebrated – and share it with everyone who would benefit from knowing. No less than twice per year.
•  Get serious about saying “no” or “not now,” checking new ideas against the strategy and plotting ideas based upon their impact and difficulty. Be bold in eliminating ideas that are hard to do and aren’t likely to have a high impact. Focus on progress.

Kickstart a habit of thinking and a practice of planning.

• Make time for strategic thinking.
• Create space for practical planning.
• Focus priorities and action.
• Celebrate progress.

Move beyond business as usual!

MELANIE SCHMIDT

Melanie Schmidt opened Timpano Group in 2003 to link disciplines of management consulting, executive coaching, organizational development and strategic communications. The creative consultancy builds upon Melanie’s experiences executing turnarounds within publicly traded entities, private companies and nonprofit organizations; handling executive transitions across sectors; and crafting compelling communications for diverse audiences.

Timpano Group leverages various techniques to facilitate progress and:

·       help leaders think strategically or get “unstuck”

·       unpack complex issues and help articulate solutions

·       infuse energy and direction on mission-critical initiatives

·       leverage communication as a strategic business tool

Melanie is known for getting to the core of issues and framing actions necessary to align intentions, actions and impressions. Her professional background includes leadership positions running an award-winning advertising and marketing firm, advancing public affairs for state government agencies, handling external and executive communications for an international utility, managing fuel and operational planning for a regional energy company, and directing institutional affairs within higher education. She's also had the unique opportunity to lead the State of Wisconsin's COVID‑19 operational response during the height of the pandemic.

Melanie is equally comfortable providing direct service to clients and working as part of a consultant team or as an in-house partner to address broader needs.