Strategic Planning Information

Benefiting from Strategic Thinking


I recently took an organizational behavior class where my professor conducted a strategic thinking exercise in which groups of students were to be a part of a scholarship committee. The purpose of our committee was to use strategic thinking on allocating a scholarship budget to reward several incoming freshmen to our university. I, along with some classmates represented freshmen candidates who would receive the scholarship.

These candidates all had different strengths that would live up to the standards and reputation of the university. For example, my candidate was a high school senior who would not be able to attend college without a scholarship. Her strength was found through music and should she receive a scholarship to the university, she would contribute to the school's music program. Another candidate was a gifted athlete who would be an asset to the school's basketball team. A third candidate was an intellect who would thrive in the academic realm. Moreover, my argument on why my candidate deserved the scholarship was among competing arguments from classmates who wanted the same for their candidates.

We had a few options to consider:

  • Are some candidates more in need of funding than others?
  • Do some candidates deserve more funding than others?
  • Should we evenly distribute the scholarship fund so that everyone benefits?
  • Should we give all scholarship money to the best-rounded candidate who would make the biggest impact on the school's reputation?

After hearing each representative make their case about the needs of their candidate, a few classmates pulled out of the debate because they felt their student did not need the money as much as others. One classmate stated that his student came from a financially stable household and that the lack of funds would not keep him from going to college. Another classmate mentioned that her student had the time to get a part-time job and would be okay without scholarship money. With strategic thinking among the committee members, we were able to figure out how everyone would benefit from the situation. Our committee's final consensus left two students without scholarship money, but benefited three recipients with a part of the scholarship money, based on their needs and accomplishments.

Strategic thinking involved a group effort of brainstorming ideas, initiating change, and finding solutions to our dilemma. With our strategic thinking process, we were able to effectively factor in the highest priorities of our candidates.

Stephanie Tuia specializes in internet marketing for CMOE.

If you would like to learn more about CMOE's Applied Strategic Thinking Workshop, contact one of their Regional Managers at (801) 569-3444.


MORE RESOURCES:

'No strategic planning' in government sector
The Tribune
The results, the IDB said, showed the Bahamas "lacks a legal framework to regulate economic planning and, as a consequence, no strategic planning is ...



Strategic Planning: Can We Bridge The Gap Separating IT and Finance?
CIO
Strategic planning is critical for your success, yet new research shows it often falls short in even the best organizations. Sign up for this webcast to ...



MEC China hires Theresa Loo as new head of strategic planning
Media Asia
SHANGHAI - MEC China has appointed Theresa Loo (pictured) as head of strategic planning, analytics and insight, ...
MEC China Hires New Head Of Strategic PlanningAsia Media Journal

all 2 news articles »


Meinig '61 Says Trustees Will Play 'Interactive' Role in Planning Process
Cornell University The Cornell Daily Sun
By Sun Staff The Sun sat down with the chair of the Board of Trustees, Peter Meinig '61, to discuss the strategic planning process, the University's ...



Marine Log

Tidewater Announces Promotion of Matthew A. Mancheski
MarketWatch (press release)
Mr. Mancheski will be responsible for overseeing information technology, software applications, and all strategic planning initiatives of the Company. ...
Tidewater promotes two executivesNOLA.com

all 31 news articles »


Codexis Names Vonnie Estes to New Technology Strategic Planning VP Role
PR Newswire (press release)
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Codexis, Inc. today announced that Vonnie Estes has joined the company as Vice President, Strategic Planning, ...

and more »


Tidewater Appoints Matthew A. Mancheski as VP, Chief
TransWorldNews (press release)
Prior to the promotion, he served as Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Financial Analysis. His promotion went into effect on March 4, 2010. ...



Commentary: Hospital moves on future are good steps
West Central Tribune
Rice Memorial Hospital is taking a positive step of strategic planning for the hospital's services offered, reviewing its facilities development and ...

and more »


Globe and Mail

Getting more from less
Globe and Mail
... will affect the company's vision and goals, efficiency, use of resources, labour relations, strategic planning, marketing, product lines, and more. ...

and more »


Optometry Today

Orthoptists meeting helps eye care planning in Wales
Optometry Today
Optometry Wales (OW), the professional group for primary eye care in the Principality, hosted a strategic planning 'away day' designed to encourage ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2006