Strategic Planning Kit For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

Everyone Is Part of Something Bigger

Gallup conducted a study of more than 80,000 managers in 400 companies to determine the most successful managerial behaviors. From that study, they drilled in on 12 key focus areas or traits that best correlate with business success, including the following:

• Aligning each employee with the mission
• Letting employees know what's expected
• Tapping in to the talents of employees
• Talking with employees about their progress

The process of strategic planning achieves the outcome of aligning each employee with the organization's mission. Although this study reinforces common sense, remember that everyone wants to be able to make a difference and have an impact every day.

To keep a good employee base, consider the following:

• Help the people in your organization understand how their day-to-day work impacts the larger mission of the company through a variety of ways, from engaging different groups in the planning process to linking performance to the broader mission. See Chapter 7 for more ideas.
• Provide your employees with the support they need, such as timely communication and the best tools and work environment, to do their jobs. Doing so goes a long way.
• Be sure to link your employee training programs to your overall strategy. Then everyone can be part of the process of helping the company succeed.
• Find the right skill sets for the job. We all know that a square peg never fits into a round hole.
• Appreciate your staff and, by all means, challenge ...