Consultant explains whys and hows of strategic planning
Feb. 21, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Even small businesses need strategic plans to guide their actions, according to an expert who will speak at a Western Michigan University presentation Thursday, March 6.
Mark Kinnich, owner of Mark Kinnich & Associates, will present "Strategic Planning: Getting the Most From Your Business's Resources" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Federal Room of the Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce building, 346 W. Michigan Ave. Part of a monthly series of workshops offered by WMU's Women's Business Development Center, the program is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Patricia Guenther at (269) 387-2714 or <patricia.guenther@wmich.edu>.
"We all know that global organizations spend tons of dollars with large consulting firms on strategic planning," says Kinnich. "What perhaps isn't obvious is that it is just as critical for small organizations to have documented plans. Strategic plans identify what direction the organization intends to go in, how it plans to get there and what will indicate success. Effective strategic planning improves allocation of resources, speeds internal decision making and provides each employee with a clear map of how to contribute to the business."
Kinnich will give an overview of the elements of strategic planning and describe how they can be applied in organizations with one to 50 employees. Strategic planning templates will be available to those who want them.
For nearly a quarter century, Kinnich has been helping organizations improve performance. He started his first consulting firm in Minneapolis at age 25, and has since worked with all manner of companies, from one-person shops to multinational giants. His firm's services include strategic planning, organizational assessment, development system design, organization design, team building and conflict resolutions. Kinnich earned his master's degree and did doctoral work at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.
WMU's Haworth College of Business established the Women's Business Development Center in 1999 to offer support to female professionals and entrepreneurs by providing training, problem-solving consultation, current business information and networking opportunities.
Media contact: Jessica English, 269 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu