Our Tools
Below are some of the tools we employ to develop collaborative solutions with you.
P.I.L.L.A.R.S.©
Objectivity is a key factor in strategic decision making. However, we realize being objective becomes infinitely more elusive when immersed in the day-to-day obligations of running an organization. PILLARS© is a process by which we work with you to take you and your leadership team from thinking reactively to thinking creatively through examining seven components of your organization. Walking through the multiple components that make up PILLARS© presents you and your leadership team with the opportunity to take that necessary “step back” in order to create the flexible and inclusive structure that will serve to create immediate change as well as a model for long-term strategic decision making.
For more information, please feel free to download the PILLARS© one-pager
Organizational Maturity Model
In 2007, Careerbuilder.com identified 84% of Americans are unhappy with what they do for a living. Although many of those interviewed may have liked what they did, they did not like the person or company for whom they worked. An excellent leader will provide an environment that not only provides a stable paycheck but also makes an employee feel valued overall. You may recall Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs describes in graphic form the basic human requirements from life. As organizational leaders, we should remember that our organizations are made up of human beings with those basic human needs. A mature organization will provide an environment that allows and encourages employees to grow, perform, and excel in their workplace. An even more mature organization will treat the company as though it is a living, breathing organism, and thereby create an engaged employee.
For more information, please feel free to download the Organizational Maturity Model one-pager
Business CT Scan
The Business CT Scan is a modified SWOT analysis that is used as a strategic planning tool. During this dynamic white-boarding activity, we ask the questions, and by listening to you we discover any roadblocks in the 5 “C” areas: capital, communication, controls, culture/community, and consumer experience. The Business CT scan is used most effectively as a starting point, which identifies opportunities for improvement as identified by you and your organization that are specific to you and your organization. From there Operational Strategies works with you to make a customized and actionable roadmap that you can follow to success. The Business CT Scan uses the intelligence within your company to find solutions, avoiding using templates and imposing our own thinking.
For more information, please feel free to download the Business CT Scan one-pager
OAKS©
Developing and maintaining a competitive edge within an industry requires knowledge. Yet knowledge is one of the least understood business concepts in the world today. Too often, information is mistaken for knowledge, prompting many companies to invest heavily in information technology with little tangible benefit to their operations. A more productive approach to increasing an organization’s viability and competitiveness begins with a systematic analysis of (1) its knowledge needs, (2) its mechanisms for constructing and maintaining that knowledge, and (3) its ability to translate that knowledge into effective and timely business decisions. The OAKS© knowledge auditing system provides a business organization with clear insight into each of these areas through a comprehensive examination of its knowledge management needs and practices.
For more information, please feel free to download the OAKS© two-pager
Operational Mini-Assessment
Small businesses, as well as large corporations, can benefit from conducting routine assessments to get an objective view of daily operations. Companies that do not look at both daily operations and long term plans can be caught by surprise. It isn’t enough to have a strategic plan–it must be a plan that is actionable at the operations level so the organization can be intentional and deliberate regarding its long-term sustainability.
Download Operational Strategies’ guide to complete you own Operational Mini-Assessment.
