In today's economy, many companies have responded to the credit crunch and lack of sales by lean- sizing their companies: cutting their staff and cutting their expenses. While in many cases this was necessary, companies are now finding that the aftermath to this decision has left employees feeling anxious that they might be the next to go, scared not knowing what the direction of the company is, and lost in the unknown. In order for companies to thrive in this economy it is critical that they get a clear strategic plan. What does this mean?

While many companies have corporate goals, the strategic planning process in most companies tends to break down at the department and individual level. In order to create a synergistic team and renew the enthusiasm of your employees, a company must make its corporate goals meaningful by helping each department manager to see how their department fits in to add value to these company goals. This would mean that each department would have 3 to 5 goals that would help meet the corporate goals. For example, if the sales goal for the company is to increase sales by 3%, what might the manufacturing department do to help make this happen? Certainly one department goal for them might be to have 100% accuracy of orders, in order to create satisfied and repeat customers. The shipping department for example may have a 100% on time delivery goal in order to create satisfied and repeat customers. The billing department may have a goal around accuracy of billing. Note how this helps to increase sales because each department is working together to create customer satisfaction. The mindset of the company shifts to the understanding that each person in the company is actually a part of the sales team and their role is critical in reaching the sales goal. The sales goal is no longer thought of as only the sales department's responsibility, but as a team effort.

In order to make the strategic planning most meaningful, the plan would be clear to each individual, so each individual would know what projects and activities would be expected from them specifically. Performance plans would be re-written to ensure that their performance was being measured against the actual delivery of these expectations. Furthermore, because each individual sees their direct impact on the company and their value to its growth, they will feel more appreciated and important and less anxious about being left behind.

What are you doing to combat these economic times?

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