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Planning For Your Business
THE
EDGE... The Truth About the Power in Planning - Up Close
and Personal
Learn the secrets of the
integrated planning process in "The Truth About the
Power in Planning." Patrick J. Below of CEO
Consulting Services of Madison, Wisconsin shares
some of the secrets on how he has done for over 35
years. Below is also the author of the highly
acclaimed "The Executive Guide to Strategic
Planning" which has been chosen by China's
Productivity Center as one of the top ten books on
business management. Learn the essence of the
"Integrated Planning Process," which if followed
precisely guarantees sustainable growth and
profitability year in and year out. Below also
reveals some underlying spiritual principles that
have resulted in him being one of the most respected
strategic planner in the nation.
In our desire to create,
design, and develop sustainable business success, we
are often times caught in the dilemma about how in
fact we should go about manifesting this reality in
our daily lives.
In these times in which we
live in, we are ever reminded of how once successful
businesses, out of expediency for short term profits
coupled with erroneous thinking, found themselves in
a ditch. Planning without the multitude of wise
counselors is summed up aptly in the book of
Proverbs…
Many are the plans in a
man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that
prevails. Proverbs 19:21
God’s intent for business
success and longevity is chronicled very precisely
in the Biblical record, as He lays out the
foundation that will best serve His eternal purpose
for business success that genuinely honors and
glorifies His name.
“For I know the plans I have
for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray
to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me
and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I
will be found by you," declares the LORD” Jeremiah
29:11-14
I recently had the
opportunity to speak with Patrick Below, President
and CEO, of CEO Consulting Services, headquartered
in Madison, WI. Below is a leading strategic
thinker, management writer and business consultant
specializing in the areas of business strategy and
growth. He is also affiliated with Leadership
Management, Inc., LMI is a national franchise
organization with a nationwide network of over 200
independent partners.
Since 1970, Below has
personally consulted with over 200 small and
medium-size clients across a wide variety of
industrial and service sectors. He is the co-author
of the The Executive Guide to Strategic Planning
which was selected by the Chinese Productivity
Center in Taiwan, as one of the “ten best books on
management” and has been translated into Chinese.
His most recent book, The CEO Challenge … A New
Paradigm for Delivering Sustainable Results was
published in 2004.
Below has extensive
experience and a proven track record of working with
CEOs and their executive team to put in place a
proven management system focused on developing
people and strengthening their planning process to
produce improved results.
I fielded a series of
questions to Below to capture the essence of both
his philosophy and practical first-hand knowledge
and experience.
Q: Why do you feel planning
is the top priority of Business Owners and CEOs?
Running an organization of
any size is a complex and demanding job. In fact, it
may well be one of the most challenging positions I
can think of.
“The bottom line of leading
and managing a company boils down to two words;
“improved results.” This could be improved sales,
improved profitability, or improved people attitudes
and skills.
“The Planning Process, when
done correctly and consistently, is the best
management tool I know of for ensuring improved
results, year after year.”
Q: What do you mean by
planning? How would you describe what “correct
planning” is?
“A great question. Every
business plans – some better than others. But not
every Business owner plans effectively.
“Over the years, I have
developed a planning framework called the
“Integrated Planning Process” (See diagram). In the
past 36 years, we have used this process with over
200 organizations ranging in size from 50 employees
to 500.with amazing results. This diagram depicts
what we mean by our practical, results-oriented
planning process.” As we continually remind all our
clients, the purpose of planning is not to produce
plans, it is to produce results!”
Q: How does one begin?
“As simple as this sounds, I
would read a credible book on planning.
Unfortunately, while there are many books on both
planning and management, there are very few on
exactly how to go about planning. In 1987, I
co-authored a book entitled The Executive Guide to
Strategic Planning (Jossey-Bass). After almost 20
years in print, this book continues to sell.”
Q: Who does one involve in
the planning process?
“Ultimately, everyone in the
organization should be involved in at least some
aspect of your planning process. If a person
receives a paycheck, they have a mind that can
contribute to both your plans and results.
“Strategic planning clearly
involves the senior management team. But don’t stop
there. I would look for people within the
organization that are good strategic thinkers and
could bring different perspectives to the strategic
planning process.
“Operational or tactical
planning, on the other hand, should involve all
managers, supervisors, and employees. Operational
planning is the implementation vehicle for your
Strategic Plan. And everyone in the organization is
capable of having one or two written goals that
directly support the overall organization goals.
“Results Management, the
third leg of the Integrated Planning Process, is
often given short shrift in most organizations.
Results Management keeps everyone honest. This is
where the “rubber meets the road” in terms of
implementation and execution. This process also
makes planning come alive and stay alive. It also
keeps plans fresh, relevant, and dynamic in terms of
plan correction and adjustment.”
Q: Any final thoughts on
planning?
“Yes, Planning always starts
with and continually requires a high degree of
faith, belief and solid thinking. The longer I’m in
this field, the more I have witnessed and personally
experienced the hand of God in guiding both myself
and my clients to realized improved results.
“One of my favorite Bible
verses is Proverbs 29:18. “Where there is no vision,
the people perish.” Another way of stating this
verse is: “Where there is a Vision, the Company will
flourish!
“One other personal thought.
I start every day reading my Daily Word , which I
also call my Daily Bread . I have rarely missed a
day in the past ten years. This disciplined habit
allows me to start every day being centered and
feeling totally at peace regardless of what happens
that day.
On January 1, 2000, a
significant day for many reasons, I am continually
inspired by the message that was listed in my Daily
Word. “Thought by thought, I am helping to create a
new Vision for a New World.”
I am so blessed and grateful
for the daily guidance I receive from the Holy
Spirit which, in turn, enables me to guide and
counsel my clients.”
Well there you have it, sage
insights and wisdom from Patrick Below, perspective
that is inspired by Godly thought and purpose. As
you delight yourself in the Lord and his thoughts,
then and only then can you realize and rest in your
planning decisions and vision that He has directed
you towards.
As the Scripture clearly
states in the book of Proverbs… “in the multitudes
of counselors, there is safety.” By proactively
engaging Godly perspectives from trusted counselors,
the executive team and all employees, you will spawn
the productive action that will assuredly produce
the sustainable and the eternally minded profitable
results that you are seeking.
THE EDGE … Up Close and
Personal with Patrick J. Below, CEO & President of
CEO Consulting Services
The Truth About the Power of
Planning
Wisdom in business planning…
“in the multitude of counselors there is safety”
Geary Morales
Innovative Success Solutions
P.O. Box 04122
Milwaukee, WI 53204
geary.morales@gmail.com
(414) 755-2183
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