As an entrepreneur and president of an engineering company, I've seen how difficult and elusive it is to get an advantage over your competitors. Many companies have started something new only to see it copied or substituted in short order. What is the "secret sauce" that companies like Apple, Southwest Airlines, and Starbucks have, and how... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are clear, specific metrics that measure an organization's progress toward a corporate goal. They generally have a time component, because they track the execution of a corporate strategy. They are the "scorecard" part of a balanced scorecard. To develop KPI's, it helps to divide them into three categories: Target Relative Progress Target... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
The Balanced Scorecard is a system for the implementation of corporate strategy. It is a performance measurement tool that helps an organization execute its strategies and turn them into measurable results "on the ground." In its practical form, a balanced scorecard is a 4-quadrant itemized list of key performance indicators (KPI's) that the organization strives... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
A PEST Analysis is not a way to rid your office of undesirable rodents, although I suggest you take care of that first if it is a problem. Rather, it is strategic analysis technique which analyzes the external environment within which an organization operates. It is designed to give an organization a good overall picture... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Strategic planning involves the development of actions that support the achievement of a corporate goal. The corporate goals must be defined first, and the strategic plan becomes the "how to" manual to achieve the goals. Business schools make strategic planning more complicated than it is. If you understand these 8 tools, you've mostly mastered the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
In today's ultra-competitive business environment, strategic planning is more than ever a necessary tool to growing a successful business. Even large companies are not immune to sharp downturns and failed strategic plans. Strategic planning is a process that results in the development of a strategic plan (really!). The strategic planning model in use by businesses... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Corporate Strategy refers to the methods with which an organization achieves its goals. In the world of corporate strategy, the development of strategy is the third in a three step process, in this order: Corporate vision defines the state the organization wants to be in over the long term. Corporate goals define the metrics to... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
In this article, we will take a leisurely stroll through the strategic planning process. This includes the model most used in textbooks and courses on corporate strategy. The strategic planning process consists of the following steps: Vision Statement Mission Statement Corporate Goals Corporate Strategy Metrics Vision Statement A vision statement is a statement of where the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
