Francis WadeFramework Consulting · Consultant who solves tough strategy and productivity problems for corporations | Author | Web-Speaker | Jump Leap Long-Term Strategy Podcast

It's OK to cancel predictable strategic retreats snip 2

Name: It's OK to cancel predictable strategic retreats snip 2
Uploaded: 2021-05-03T19:02:09+00:00
Duration: 49 s
Channel: Francis Wade
Description: In this advisory monologue, the speaker argues that companies whose leaders nostalgically cling to "the good old days" often treat strategic planning as…

3 May 2021 · 1 min

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In this advisory monologue, the speaker argues that companies whose leaders nostalgically cling to "the good old days" often treat strategic planning as a low‑stakes, routine ritual, which traps them in a planning rut. The speaker urges leaders to transform their next retreat into a proactive, game‑changing event, especially when major disruptions occur. They recommend distinguishing between major and minor opportunities: for big disruptions, hold a breakthrough retreat; when conditions are unchanged, cancel the retreat, reuse the prior plan, and make only minor adjustments. The core message is to make retreat decisions early, signaling a clear difference between routine updates and strategic pivots.

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Companies whose leaders long for a return to "the good old days" are the least likely to get themselves out of a strategic planning rut. They are probably accustomed to treating the activity as an everyday, low-stakes ritual. If this strikes a chord, use the opportunity to declare your next retreat the one that creates proactive, game-changing plans. While it may not be possible to achieve every year. There should be a clear distinction between major and minor opportunities. When there's a big disruption, as there is now, go for a breakthrough retreat. If nothing much has changed, cancel the event, pull out last year's plan, and perform some minor adjustments, showing your executives that there is a difference. But above all, make the decision early.