We recently held our annual Strategic Planning meeting. This year, instead of doing the same old SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) we tried a new approach called SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results).

The SWOT method has worked for many years, and is still a valid way to make a business plan and set goals. However, we were looking for a way to get more employees involved and to take a more positive approach to the overall process.

One of NetDirector’s owners and their daughter have been utilizing the SOAR method with other companies with much success and suggested that we try it too.

The strategic planning meeting was open to the entire company, which over half were able to attend. It was a full day event and held off-site so that there were no major work distractions.

The main goal of this meeting was to get as many new ideas as possible with the underlying theme that no idea is bad, which kept the meeting on a positive note throughout the entire day.

Attendees were broken down into 3 groups based on their personal interests: New Industries, Strategic Partnerships, and Employee Recognition. From these groups, many great ideas were born. Whether or not these ideas are actually viable, is still to be determined, but everyone took away their specific tasks to return at a later date with more information.

1. There were 3 big takeaways from this year’s Strategic Planning meeting:
2. Data Exchange for Animals/Pets, Vets, Pet-Owners, Zoos, and more to use
3. Enhance the Employee Recognition Program to continue to motivate employees
4. Enhance Partnerships with affiliates, resellers, vendors, suppliers, etc.

Each group developed a plan with action items to develop out these ideas further with research and more discussion over the next 3 months. Please stay tuned for an update at the end of our 90 day plan; mid to late February.

A nice added touch to the whole day was having two very talented artists in attendance to help us visually capture our ideas. We now have these amazing depictions to help continue the creative process in the future.

Stay Tuned for Part 2 follow-up