Setting a Direction
Vision, Goals & Objectives
The first component-mental creation-involves drafting a vision statement, articulating value-based goals to guide one’s firm, and defining measurable objectives that when reached.
We encourage companies to develop goals and objectives in these major categories:
• Quality
• Operations
• Human Resources
• Marketing
• Finance
This creative process usually occurs in off-site planning sessions, frequently in retreat settings. Our role is to facilitate these retreats, to foster people to think about the important issues and to lead them through creative visioning and goal-setting.
Strategies to Achieve Objectives
Once the larger picture is envisioned and defined, next comes the development of strategies to achieve those goals and objectives. Frequently this planning is done in smaller groups that focus on a single category, such as ‘quality.’
The written result of this planning activity is a Strategic Plan, which will guide a company for several years.
"Mark understands that while design firms share common problems, the solutions for each firm are unique. His repeated effectiveness across the broad range of services he has provided derives from an ability to understand our particular nature as individuals and as a firm. As we have evolved he has remained our first contact for guidance, merging extensive current knowledge of the industry with an intuitive understanding of us to help us find our unique answers. We regard Mark as an invaluable professional resource and as a good friend."
Randy Reid
Principal
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
"Mark Cameron helped us through our strategic planning process. We most appreciate that it was ‘our’ process and not that of another firm or a generic approach. We had very specific issues that needed to be addressed, and Mark formulated a unique process in response to ‘our’ needs. His guidance, facilitation, and expertise enabled us to effectively arrive at strategic decisions that will significantly improve the overall health and focused direction of our firm."
Lee Salin
Principal
HMC Architects