Strategic_Planing

Strategic Planning 1 Running head: IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT IN THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Strategic Planning and Management University of Phoenix Integrated Business Topics/ 475 July 20, 2009 Strategic Planning 2 Strategic Planning and Management In this paper I will expound on defining strategic management and planning, the importance of strategic plan in my organization, and the management functions: organizing, planning, controlling, and leading based on the concepts of starting a new business. In the surrounding of the environment today, one should be able to recognize and implement the aspects to make sure of the business success. My hypothetical new business will show examples based on the integrating of these components into my comprehensive business plan. Upon completion, a business plan will give a total picture of the business and where it will be in the next years to come. Strategic Planning and Business Management My new business will be a community car wash called Sherry’s Car Wash. My goal is to open my community car wash having a type of city wide appeal in the Baton Rouge area. Strategic management is defined a being an organized analysis of factors that are associated with having internal organization and external meaning having customers and competitors providing the concepts of rethinking the current management practices. My main goal is to be able to achieve a much better alignment with strategic priorities and corporate policies. A strategic plan does not necessarily have to be a plan for the upcoming year, but can forecast many years to come. The actual definition of a strategic plan is “an organization process of defining its strategy, or direction and making decisions allocating its resources to pursue its strategy, including its capital and people” (Wikipedia, 2009). All Strategic Plan 3 companies must have a strategic plan in order to survive. Having a strategic plan is very important with my business because the plan is the best option of responding to the circumstances within the business environment. The strategic plan will show clarity pertaining to the business objectives and awareness based on the business’ resources while incorporating the information of being alert to the dynamic environment. The plan sets goals and develops a mere approach in wanting to make sure these goals are accomplished. I must have discipline within myself in order to be able to focus according to the plan. The planning process involves many questions which can provide aid to the planners testing of assumptions and gathers information pertaining to the present but at the same time anticipating the conditions of the future of the business operations. The planning process contains basic actions and decisions which are required as a way of answering the basic questions such as what to do, why to do it and how to go about doing it. Four Functions of Management The management functions come in four areas such as planning, organizing, controlling, and leading. Planning The function of planning is known as being the most logical thinking on goals and decision making in regard to what needs are to be accomplished in order of establishing the company’s objectives. Planning is also the “foundation where the other functions should Strategic Plan 4 be built upon. Planning requires for me as being the manager to be able to evaluate the status of where the company is at now is and where the company may be in the next years to come. From that point the obtaining the company’s objectives and goals is then implemented and then determined” (Robinson, 2004). The process of planning always has been a constant ongoing concept of every company. The external factors which are beyond control are constantly affecting the company. Due to the circumstances an action of adjustment may be needed in order to be able to accomplish some of the company’s specific goals. Organizing Organizing is the second function of management which is based on the organizing of the company’s resources as a way of being able to implement the sources of action that is determined within the planning process. With the process of getting organized, management will have to determine the internal organizational structure, establish and maintain relationships, and to be able to provide allocation based on the necessary resources (Robinson, 2004). While determining my business’ structure, as a manager I must look at the different divisions, direct staff and be able to settle the most efficient ways of learning how to handle tasks. Management allows the division of work to be done and to be able to make the assignments within suitable departments and responsibilities allotments. Leading The management works as an overseer based on the performance of the staff in being able to achieve the organizations goals. The leading control can be gained through Strategic Planning 5 the concepts based on motivation, communication, and leadership. Effective communication is very important in the maintaining of a dynamic work setting. By having a more understanding of the communication process and the working areas which may need some type of improvements aids the managers in becoming better communicators. The best ways of finding areas which need improvements is to sometimes ask others how he or she may be doing. Controlling Controlling is the final function of management. This consists of the involvement of establishing and evaluating of job performance. Based on this information, the correction of preventative action can be designed. This process can be continuous. Conclusion In conclusion, I know that Sherry’s Car Wash will be effective in providing customers with the most outstanding services based on my strategic planning and functions of management which will help in the starting of my new business. Strategy Planning 6 References: Strategic Management: Formulation, Implementation, and Control, 9e ISBN: 007289024X   Author: Jack Pearce, Richard Robinson copyright © 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies