Strategic Agility: Moving from Strategic Planning to Strategic Thinking

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Strategic Agility Moving from Strategic
Planning to Strategic Thinking

• Break for Lunch
• May 13, 2010

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Workshop Objectives

• What is meant by strategic thinking agility
• How does an organization develop a strategic
  mindset?
• Some tools that may help
• Barriers to success
• How did they do it? Conservation Resource
  Alliance
• Questions

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What is Strategic Thinking

• Culture that is open to dialogue consideration
  of the possibilities
• Is a way of life- not a one time event
• Involves posing pondering important questions
• Requires acceptance from the group that the
  discussion may not have an immediate solution but
  is still crucial to success
• Is worthy of a leadership time
• Requires the boards engagement

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Why is it important for nonprofits?

• Circumstances and the environment are going to
  change in unpredictable ways
• Speed of execution is often essential
• Need to get comfortable with change
• Positions organization to seize opportunities
• Prevents conflict

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What is a Strategic Thinking

• Moving from
• Yearly objectives Vision
• Annual budget 3 to 5 year financial plan
• Programs/ services Partnerships/
• Strategic Alliances
• Management Leadership

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Characteristics of a Strategic Thinker

• Someone without too many preconceived ideas open
  minded
• Imaginative
• Risk-taker
• Team builder
• Does not complain about what is wrong today but
  is aware of the needs of the future
• Looks at strengths not weaknesses of organization
• Thinks comprehensively not departmentally
• Gives equal weight to all program areas not just
  financial
• Looks for and thinks in terms of opportunities
• Feels comfortable with a compass not a roadmap
• Creates a climate for creative thinking

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What is Strategic Agility?
The ability to sense and take advantage of
opportunities by planning and executing far
reaching business changes swiftly and effectively
as needed.
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What is Strategic Agility?

• The ability to constantly respond to changing
  environment opportunities adapt and adjust
  strategic direction
• Ability to increase capabilities quickly

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How does an organization develop a strategic
mindset?

• Creates opportunities for strategic discussions
• Learns together
• Gets to know and trust members of the team
• Acknowledges the value of diverse styles and
  perspectives
• Works at being comfortable with ambiguity,
  discussion and debate

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How does an organization develop a strategic
mindset?

• Eliminate cynicism avoid looking for negative
• Humor
• Read, observe, remain alert
• Hire or work with strategic thinkers
• Stop spending time on mundane or unnecessary
• Put strategic thinking into job descriptions,
  performance appraisals

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Some tools

• Consent agenda
• Leadership style assessments
• Scenario planning
• Contingency budget
• Ground rules
• Decision matrix
• Balanced scorecard
• Dashboard report
• Partnerships/ alliances

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Barriers to Strategic Thinking Agility

• Too many priorities
• Inadequate information flow
• Central command and control
• Denial, nostalgia, and arrogance
• Poor talent management practices
• Lack of a systems thinking approach
• The power sits within functional silos
• Running the nonprofit on an annual cadence
• Inability to reprioritize resources when needed
• Extensive job description/competencies complex

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How did they do it?
The Conservation Resource Alliance Story
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Resources that will assist you

• www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org
• www.boardsource.org
• www.independentsector.org
• www.boardcafe.org

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Thank YouContact NorthSky at231.929.3934Pam
Evans231.929.3934, x 208pevans_at_northskynonprofit
network.org
Special Thank you to