In This Issue:
Screening Acquisition Targets
Questions & Answers
Article Archives
Strategic Planning Resources
Screening Acquisition Targets
By Robert W. Bradford
The following article provides a six step plan for screening potential acquisition targets.
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Questions & Answers
This column is intended to answer common questions related to strategic planning and strategy in general. In each issue we will answer questions posed by seminar attendees, our clients and our readers. Please send your questions to Elizabeth Tidd, E-mail: simplifiedstrategicplanning@cssp.com ~ Mail: CSSP, Inc. P.O. Box 851 Ann Arbor, Michigan 06890-0851 ~ Fax: 203-255-9191.What is the optimum level of participation for the CEO during the planning meetings?
Which should come first, Structure or Strategy?
Click to continue...Did You Miss These Recent Articles?
Three Recession Strategies for a Strong Businessby CSSP, Inc.
Even during slow business cycles the world does not come to a screeching halt. Three things you should do to keep your business strong!
Strategic Evaluation of Acquisition Targets
by Robert W. Bradford
Robert Bradford takes a quick look at four strategic factors that may dramatically change your assessment of the value of an acquisition target.
Strategic Thinking: 11 Critical Skills Needed
by J. Glenn Ebersole
Decision-making can be enhanced when you apply strategic thinking to the process. Following are 11 critical skills you need to develop in order to improve your strategic thinking.
Acquisitions: 8 Steps to Success
by Denise A. Harrison
When evaluating an acquisition, thoughtful consideration of these 8 steps can lead your company to success!
How Can I use Simplified Strategic Planning at the Corporate Level?
by Robet W. Bradford
The principles of Simplified Strategic Planning can be applied on a corporate level, however, attention to certain aspects and details will result in greater success.
Can HP teach an Old Dog New Tricks?
by CSSP, Inc.
There are lessons to be learned for small to mid-sized companies, by watching how Fortune 500 companies handle their mergers and acquisitions.
Acquisition Candidate Selection
by Denise A. Harrison
Once it is determined that an acquisition is part of the solution to achieving a company's strategy, potential candidates must be evaluated. In this article, two of the criteria will be evaluated: fit with strategy and examining the excess baggage that will come with the acquisition.
Is Your Marketing Working for You?
by M. Dana Baldwin
Good marketing helps pave the way for good sales. Effective marketing can be one of the leading factors in successful innovations and product or service enhancements. Marketing can also be one of the first expenditures cut when times get tough. Here is a strategic approach to evaluating your marketing efforts.
Your Strategic Tool Kit
by J. Glenn Ebersole
Ten commitments you can make to adapt your business and your personal career to the rapidly changing global workplace.
Fixing Your Balanced Scorecard
by Robert W. Bradford
Are you dissatisfied with your Balanced Scorecard program? Balanced Scorecard is just one part of the Strategic Planning process. Here are several reasons why you might not be getting the results you desire and what you can change.
SWOT analysis Revisited
by Robert W. Bradford
The traditional SWOT analysis might not give your company the information it needs to develop a truly distinct competitive advantage.
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About Center for
Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc.
Strategic Thinking
Success in today's business environment requires that a company's leaders have the ability to create a vision of the organization's future direction as well as the course it needs to get there.
While various business improvement techniques such as Total Quality Management and Re-engineering are often extremely beneficial to the ongoing progress of a business, correct Strategic Focus remains the single most important element in a company's success.
Since 1981, the Center for Simplified Strategic Planning (through its Strategic Focus on strategy and strategic management services) has provided client companies strategic planning tools and leadership required to obtain superior strategic results.
We understand the challenges typically faced by our clients in installing systems and practices necessary to support growth, while maintaining day to day operations.
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Simplified Strategic Planning for Small to Mid-Sized Companies
A Two-Day Interactive Seminar Specifically for Executives of Independent Companies and Subsidiaries of Larger Companies Who Want to Achieve Better Results Faster
Atlanta, GA
October 23 - 24, 2008
Troy, MI
Michigan State Education Center
October 23 - 24, 2008
Phoenix, AZ
November 13 - 14, 2008
Orlando, FL
Lake Buena Vista
November 13 - 14, 2008
Las Vegas, NV
December 11 - 12, 2008
San Juan, PR
January 22 - 23, 2008
Anaheim, CA
January 22 - 23, 2008
Company Presidents and CEOs attend free of charge when accompanied by one or more additional paid attendees.
Poor strategic planning is worse than no strategic planning. It can be a big waste of time and money. Even worse, it can lead to disaster. Avoid all this with Simplified Strategic Planning - a proven process to focus for superior performance without straining your resources.
Whether you've been doing strategic planning for years or starting from scratch, you can acquire a streamlined process for developing and implementing your strategy. In just two days, you will have learned this time-tested methodology, which has produced outstanding results for thousands of companies from a wide variety of business types.
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Full Day Strategy Tune-Up Workshop
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November 12, 2008 Orlando, FL with Robert Bradford |
Want to get more out of your strategic planning?
Does your strategy deliver outstanding results? Would fine tuning your strategic focus improve your profitability in the next few years? This program is perfect for companies that are already doing strategic planning but want to get even BETTER results.
You will have the opportunity to go over key elements of your strategy, getting specific feedback and recommendations that will help develop new, more profitable ways to think strategically about your business. Every company will get at least an hour in the "hot seat", addressing some of the most difficult but powerful concepts in strategic planning.
Because we will be discussing important issues for your company, we take special care to assure that none of your competitors will be in attendance.
Click here for more Strategy Tune-Up information.
Speaking Engagements
National Speakers Association Fall Conference
Presenter: Robert Bradford
Topic: Sell Your Speaking When You Stink at Sales: How to Stand Out in the Speaking Marketplace
Location: Phoenix, AZ
November 22, 2008
Contact: NSA Fall Conference