Strategic Planning

Make your vision crystal clear

Set goals and develop a plan to achieve them

Merin Coutts facilitating a strategic planning session

Our Process

1. Where are you now?

Understanding your current state, your competitive advantage, and what is going on in the world around you that will impact your future.

2. Where do you want to go?

What does your envisioned future look like?  How do you define success?  And what is getting in your way?

3. How will you get there?

What path will you take, what are the priorities and how will you monitor progress?

4. How will you know you’ve arrived?

What metrics & processes are in place to track your progress, identify risks, and adjust the course along the way?

“This was the best strategic planning session I’ve ever done!”

— Kristi Hines, Board Chair

Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce

What it looks like to work with us

A facilitated process to bring CLARITY to the future, ALIGN the team, and SIMPLIFY decision-making.

Imagine what having a solid plan could open up for you & your team ...

  • More time

  • More confidence

  • No more second-guessing decisions

  • Know what to say 'no' to and how to allocate your resources

  

Together, we will build a concise plan that articulates where you are headed and your desired impact.  

We will address your stumbling blocks, and set priority areas with corresponding goals to exceed in the next 12- 36 months.

Most organizations are choosing to build 3-year rolling plans that provide more detail in year 1 and high-level goals & measurables for the subsequent years.

This step-by-step process aligns management (& the Board) on key priority areas and how success will be measured to simplify decision-making.

TIME IS OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET

We need to use it wisely.

Overcome the relentless distractions, align decisions to the things that will move you forward, and gain traction towards the future you desire.

Looking to tackle Strategic Planning but don’t know where to start?

Of course, we are big promoters of using a facilitator, like Merin. But if you want to begin working through the steps, here is a workbook to help get you started.

Fill out the form below, and we will send it your way.

Understanding Strategic Planning:

  1. Identifying Current State: Understanding the industry, niche, and ideal customer profile. 

  2. Setting Goals: Establishing long-term visions and short-term objectives. 

  3. Addressing Challenges: Identifying obstacles and planning how to overcome them. 

  4. Measuring Success: Defining metrics to track progress and success. 

What clients have to say

  • “Thank you for facilitating such an engaging and informative session. Our team is energized and looking forward to all we can accomplish!”

    Denean Robinson, Fort McMurray Airport

  • "Merin is a strategic powerhouse! She is dedicated to results and propelled our organization toward success with incredible momentum. Her facilitation brought cohesion and alignment while respecting everyone's time and abilities. If you are a business owner looking to elevate your performance, we highly recommend Merin."

    Chad Waldner & Chad Leverick, Alliance Energy

  • "I do not hesitate to recommend Merin to any organization looking to get itself better organized to meet the challenges and identify the market opportunities."

    Jaydan Tait, Attainable Homes Calgary

  • "Merin did a good job of gathering the relevant information on the organization, challenges faced and membership feedback. She did a great job of facilitating the board through the session, and got to a very good end point and did it all with time to spare in the day!!! Her diverse background, including significant board experience was an asset."

    Graham Ure, Ft McMurray Chamber of Commerce

  • "The Board at EAC is large & diverse, and required a well-conceived approach to be successful. Merin’s facilitation skills and ability to distill the day’s results into a succinct plan was enormously helpful. We look forward to working with Merin again in the future."

    Laura Dickson, Epilepsy Association of Calgary

  • "Merin is a pleasure to work with. She has incredible insight and is quick to build strong connections that allow for a lasting impact. She is sincere, full of purpose, and committed to building her community. It is very easy to recommend Merin enthusiastically!"

    Jay Stark, Lakeview Church

  • "Merin was very well prepared, kept the group on track and capitalized on the time allotted. I would highly recommend her for any Board Development, Strategic Planning or Governance work."

    Trevor Koot, Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission

  • "I would recommend MC2 in any strategic undertaking. Merin was able to set the stage to allow our directors the opportunity to meaningfully contribute their knowledge to set a path forward that will allow our company to thrive in the near and long term."

    Keith Haraburda, BILD CR Association

  • "Merin and her team were incredibly responsive from the lead-up through execution of our latest Strategic Plan. They made the entire process easy while providing us with a clear, concise, and actionable plan that had the unified support of our Board and Staff."

    Scott Fash, CEO BILD Albert

Tips: “Mapping your Path to Success”

  1. Set the Destination

  2. Plot the Course

  3. Assess Resources

  4. Anticipate Challenges

  5. Course Correct

  6. Celebrate Victories