A strategic framework is the foundation for a growing business. It helps determine what the overall goal is and if everyone can collaborate to achieve that goal. Framework can act as motivation for not only the business owner, but the executives and staff too. When everyone is working toward the same thing at the same time, deadlines are met and everyone can focus on the next task. Applying a strategic framework helps with traffic coming in for the business and a happy staff.
Eleven members from Forbes Human Resources Council provide helpful tips to grow beyond the status quo. There is much to consider when trying to devise a plan for this. Actions like speaking to those who invest in your business and analyzing your market are a few ways this can work.
Forbes Human Resources Council members share their tips.
Photos courtesy of the individual members1. Involve Your Employees When Discussing The Company
Often these foundational statements come from leadership. Bring the insight of your employees into the process since they’re stakeholders, too. Employees are the most in touch with the products and the market wants, needs and what drives them to work for you. This practice is also valuable for creating a people-centric culture and communicates how important their contribution is to the company. - Bjorn Reynolds, Safeguard Global
2. Ask Yourself The Important Questions For Important Answers
The importance of doing a deep dive into your company's "why" should not be underestimated, as it is the cornerstone to building a strategic framework. Additionally, the mission statement, vision and values should be constantly reviewed with pivots occurring even before the expiry date of the current framework. A company that is agile with its strategic framework will grow beyond the status quo. - Melissa Banek, IMC - Trading
3. Have Everyone On The Same Page
Great organizations have a "True North" which drives their strategy and corporate values. Having absolute clarity in the aspirational outcomes of any organization, big or small, is the first step to creating a framework to achieve it. And remember — great companies are comprised of like-minded people, entry level to executive, who share in your vision. - Ron Lippitt,
4. Ask People In High Positions The Necessary Questions
The best way to build a strategic framework is to bring the top executives for a meeting and request them to answer the following questions: 1. What is the deeper purpose of our existence in the market? 2. What we do to achieve our purpose? 3. How do we get there to that destination? The responses to the above questions will help to frame the vision, mission and values of the company. - Prakash Raichur, Taghleef Industries
Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?
5. Understand That The Biggest Question Is Always ‘Why?;
Defining your “why” is the first step. Ours was to make wellness universally accessible and affordable. Establishing this early on allowed us to rally people behind our mission, create clarity towards the goal we’re pursuing and shape our vision and values. This “why” has helped guide our decision-making to ensure the entire organization is moving in the same direction. - Nikki Salenetri, Gympass
6. Venture Out For Some Professional Advice
One of the best ways to build a strategic framework is to consider a consultant to aid the process. Often when you are actively involved or have been working in an organization for a long time, there are concerns with respect to change and tendencies to protect what exists. They provide a fresh perspective and help compile input from key players in the organisations, employees included. - Tiersa Smith-Hall, The Hartling Group
7. Include Your Strategy When Hiring Others
Build this into your recruitment and onboarding process. While mission, vision and values are important, your differentiating factor is equally as important and often overlooked. What makes your organization standout amongst the competition is what will drive it passed the status quo. It starts with an employee's ability to understand your competitive advantage and effectively communicate it. - JacLyn Pagnotta, Allied Partners
8. Connect With Everyone In the Building
Conduct due diligence upfront, including deep one-on-ones, skip-level meetings, round-tables and focus groups to inform on the mission, strategy, framework and prioritization. - Britton Bloch, Navy Federal
9. Remind Your Personnel What The Company Stands For
One of the best ways to build a strategic framework to grow beyond the status quo is engaging with your organization's stakeholders, internal and external. Based on the strategic priorities of the organization do your mission, vision and values still resonate or do they need a refresh? Then the strategic framework needs to be branded and implemented with every talent management process. - Sherry Martin, Government Administration
10. Have A Map For The Future Of The Company
Start by asking where you want the organization to be in the near future—three, five or seven years, depending on your business roadmap. Write those ideas in specific, outcome-oriented statements. From there, break down those statements into actionable tactics that help determine the business structure, innovative technology and company culture that lead to that overarching mission and goal. - David Tripp, Sage Dental
11. Share What You Know With Everyone In The Company
Build a strategic framework that is rooted in trust and knowledge sharing. Some of the most powerful people recognize that to empower others you must share knowledge freely. Companies well-poised for success are those that realize the power of psychological safety and teamwork in creating environments where individuals collaborate and share information. - Gianna Driver, Exabeam
