Ideas for a strategy day?

[amaze]

Hi,

As a solo entrepreneur for most of my career any "strategy days" and "think tanks" have been conducted in my own mind.

Now I have a senior management team of 4 (inc me) I have arranged a strategy day in the next few weeks off site to really look into the next 1-3 years and our prime focuses.

So has anyone partaken in any similar days and have any feedback to what has worked really well and what hasn't? I want to build a framework \ agenda for the day. So far I have the following:



A presentation from me explaining what I feel we should do and why.
Ask questions releated to the above which will obviously include debate.
Ask for additional ideas\thoughts from the team.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks :)

[KidsBeeHappy]

The best ideas come in generally random situations. Being "forced" to sit and think about strategy isn't always the best.

When you did it yourself, did you dedicate specific days as "strategy days" or did you think of an idea in the car/shower/walking etc, and then go back and develop it into a strategy afterwards.

It's the initial ideas that are the gems, without them strategy goes nowhere.

[amaze]

Hi,

Yes I guess my best ideas have come while laterally thinking. To ensure all ideas are processed via the team a strategy day is essential. I will propose my ideas and they can fire me back feedback...

Any other ideas for a framework?

Cheers

[sm1]

How about getting everyone to think in advance and bring what they think is their best idea. Give them at least a couple of weeks maybe to try?

Cheers :)

[profitxchange]

Yes prepare the team. I would suggest you at least are able to articulate your picture of the business in 3 - 5 years. Where will it be in market? size, customer types, profitability etc etc.
Then debate whether this is what the TEAM also feel they want. You may get a surprise.
Once everyone is more or less on board map the strategy BACK to where you are now. its better than doing it forward.

Use a few "games, warm ups" to loosen up the team and help them get into creative mode.

Unroll some lining paper along a wall and use it to develop your time line and all the actions needed. make sure you assign responsibilities - in many cases more work will need to be done to make it workable.

Good luck - more small businesses should do this.