Annual stategic plan | VARIOUS CLIENTS

How do you help a team step back from the details to see the big picture? Solution: First, energize and distinguish the definition of objective, strategy and tactic. Then, let people create a giant puzzle (called “The Wall”)… with their hands! It’s simple, low-tech and effective.

22 new product ideas | CANADIAN DEPOSITORY FOR SECURITIES

How do you find new revenue in the company’s existing competencies? Solution: Work with directors to define 22 new products and characterize them in terms of investment required and speed of financial return i.e., quick wins, big wins and breakthroughs.

Thunder and Lightning Tour | BAYER

How do you infuse more innovation into marketing plans when the annual planning conference is time-crunched? Solution: In advance, conduct a cross country tour to collect 600+ ideas from regional sales teams using BayerStorm techniques. At the conference, vote for the ideas with the most value to marketing plans.

Grand opening | ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE

How do you ensure all aspects of the opening of the Weston Innovation Centre, in fact, say innovation? Solution: Bond cross-functional team members by inviting them to define three event strategies (for event design, media and donors) and a vision of success. Then, give them ways to test that all event tactics are aligned with strategies and success measures.

Galida gUS | ASTRAZENECA

How do you bond a new product team under pressure to immediately create business strategy? Solution: Create two events – an inspiring mix of business planning and team building. For example, transform the flowchart of team priorities into a mascot and the team’s long-term objectives into a rap song (see CD cover, opposite).

Quarterly Action List | ASTRAZENECA

How do you maximize the contribution of cross-functional team members who sit on other teams? Solution: Create a Quarterly Action List as a catalyst for discussion; focus on maximizing the value and opportunity of each function’s actions to the team as a whole.

“A controlled rant” | ASTRAZENECA

How do you help a team change their way of doing business in order to comply with new industry guidelines? Solution: Create a “controlled rant” about the loss of the old way and gently shift it to a discussion about opportunities to be found in a new way.

The definition of priority | ASTRAZENECA

How do you help a Regulatory Affairs department identify priorities when everything related to essential government approvals feels like a priority? Solution: Create consensus for the definition of priority and then decide which projects comply with it.

Strategy session for volunteers | IABC

How do you create a cohesive strategic view among an association’s volunteer Board when their role orients them toward tactics? Solution: Use the annual meeting to create a simple common view (a 3-part pyramid) of strategic concerns and make it all measurable!

Costa Rica! | AMERICA’S CENTRAL SECURITIES DEPOSITORY ASSOCIATION

How do you inspire an international team to build a 3-year strategic plan in a short 2-day meeting in Costa Rica? Solution: Take them through a step-by-step build and allow them to clarify their ideas with each other in Spanish before putting them in English.