Strategic Plan Part II

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StrategicPlanning2.docx

Running head: CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES 0

STRATEGIC PLANNING 4

Strategic Planning

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The strategic plan is to be developed for the Pizza Inn franchising company and it will be implemented specifically in the sales department. The strategic plan will be developed and implemented simultaneously across all outlets across the world.

There are specific reasons why there is need to develop a strategic plan in the sales department. One of the reasons why the strategic plan is important is to provide focus, clarity and direction to the organization. The main purpose is to connect the vision and the mission of the organization. This will help all workers know what is exactly required of them through the written document. The strategic plan also will eliminate any confusion among all the sales staff and their management. This is because all employees will have their duties clearly defined, time limits and any other conditions especially for deliveries and customer service. Another reason why strategic planning is important for the sales department of the Pizza Inn is because it will drive the department’s alignment. This means that all the employees will be involved in the planning process. This means that all the employees will contribute towards making the whole department a success. Collection of ideas from all employees in the sales department will ensure that there is maximum use of resources to attain the set goals. The other reason why the strategic plan is essential is because it acts as a communication device. It is not enough to have a plan in the mind or just vaguely written because this kind of a plan has minimal chances of success. However, if a plan is well written and is known to all employees there will be a very big chance that the aim of the sales department will be achieved (Knezevich, n.d.).

There are several challenges that are faced during the process of strategic planning. One of the challenges includes lack of leadership. If those who are in charge of overlooking the process of implementation are not for the process, then the process will definitely fail. The leaders are supposed to be present and be dedicated to making sure that the strategic plan is working and that results are realized. The sales managers in all Pizza Inn outlets should be very careful and involved in making sure that the set goals in that department are realized. If other staff realize the dedication of their seniors, they will work with more dedication to make sure that they remain relevant to their seniors. Another challenge facing the process of strategic planning is the lack of consensus. Strategic planning builds a lot on all sectors in the organization are working together in harmony to achieve the goals set. If all the departments do not work together, then the strategic plan will fail. All stakeholders need to communicate, participate and collaborate in the process of implementation; this will make sure that the strategic plan achieves its purpose. The other challenge facing the strategic planning process is over ambition. Sometimes the people responsible for setting limits might be over ambitious and set limits that are impossible to achieve. The set goals should be achievable both financially and within the set time; they should also be realistic goals such that they are not too many for the specific strategic plan. The other challenge that may face the implementation of the strategic plan is the failure to incorporate it in the culture of the department. If the developed plan is not accepted by the department as part of its life, then the plan will receive rejection. This also applies for the financial bit of the plan. If the department is not able to support the plan financially then it will fail (N. Karl Haden, n.d.).

References Carter, M. (2012). strategic sales plan, the five key components. Retrieved from www.salesmanagementworkshop.com/strategic-sales-plan-the-five-key-components/ Gartestein, D. (2018). azcentral. Retrieved April 30, 2018, from why is strategic planning important to an organization: yourbusiness.azcentral.com/strategic-planning-important-organization Jim Swaffield. (n.d.). strategic planning for sales departments and sales personnel. Retrieved April 30, 2018, from www.jimswaffielsd.com Knezevich, C. (n.d.). achieveit. Retrieved April 30, 2018, from 3 reasons why corporate strategic planning is important: www.achieveit.com/resources/blog/3-reasons-corporate-planning-important/ N. Karl Haden, P. P. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2018, from five common challenges to strategic planning: www.aalgroup.org/newsletter/?p=279 Queensland Government. (n.d.). Business Queensland. Retrieved April 30, 2018, from sales strategies and planning: www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/marketing-sales/sales/sales-plan/strategy