STRATEGIC THINKING & BUSINESS PLANNING Why are we in business? What business are we really in? What are we trying to build? Why are we willing to live our lives in this organization? Interesting questions with even more interesting answers.   Ours is a comprehensive "inside-out" approach whose result is a complete implementation-based success plan. These plans include vision, core values, mission, critical success factors, internal and external assessments, sales and marketing plans, budget, and individual business unit goals and objectives. A strong focus on feedback systems ensures that the plan guides and propels the organization while also allowing the flexibility for today's rapidly changing markets. We typically facilitate this process over several sessions with as many key players in the organization as possible. The entire team will look at all aspects of the organization, including the external factors that could have an impact on the success of the organization. Internal resource evaluation will include people as well as tangible and intangible assets. Our belief is that every person in an organization can contribute to its success or failure. In a start-up situation, we work with the principal or partners. In a larger organization, we want to include anyone on the team who can make the company fail if they are not on board. If you are looking for commitment to the vision, there is no better way than to be one of the authors. Before we step into the first planning session, we will discuss and assess our client's needs, discuss and identify our mutual expectations, define the measurable results, and outline how attitudes and behavioral skills lead to success. Organizations don't plan to fail, but they do fail to plan. We can change that. Does my organization really need strategic thinking and business planning? Ask yourself one question: How important is a picture when you are trying to assemble a jigsaw puzzle that has no straight edges and includes extra pieces in the box? Running a company in today's markets is even more challenging than assembling that puzzle.