Community Foundation’s game plan positions it for future (AzBiz.com)
Today, all organizations should have a game plan — a business plan. Whether for-profit or not-for-profit, we want to execute well so we can be successful. Quick decisions and avoiding the "rush" with the desire to win could get us to halftime, but that might not be enough to come out on top at the end of the game. Increasing fear about what unanticipated "plays" might come at us (e.g. market instability) make it even more imperative that organizations remain committed to thorough business planning.
We know this well at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona where we have just completed our first business plan after 28 years in operation.Our story may not be much different from other nonprofits and small businesses: we had strategic plans and goals, but never the resources or time to execute them to completion.
My eyes have been opened. Like in football, we have a committed team, proper equipment, a game schedule and some tough competition. Now, with a business plan, we have the coveted playbook.
Different from a strategic plan that offers long-range goals and annual strategies, the business plan defines and aligns the strategies with people and processes.
In developing our business plan, we gained an in-depth understanding of our customers, products and services, competition, financials, leadership strategy, and the actual steps it will take to achieve our strategic goals.
Community Lifestyle : Community Foundation’s game plan positions it for future (AzBiz.com).