Assignment Question
Overview For this assignment, you will work on creating a strategic plan aimed at boosting the performance of a company. The following case is based on a real company, Curtis & Associates, Inc. (The permission of Dean Curtis, President of the company, has been obtained for the use of his company.) While the case is based on a real company, many of the facts and events are fictional to facilitate the learning of management principles and concepts. Curtis & Associates was founded by Dean Curtis who had formerly taught Speech and Communications at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, Nebraska. Scenario Dean Curtis formed Curtis & Associates when he was invited by an older student to bid on a contract for the Nebraska Department of Social Services. This student was the manager of the Kearney office of the Department of Social Services. Dean has now organized a company to conduct workshops to train welfare recipients in job search skills. A year has passed, and thanks to your help, it has been a very successful year. Dean’s company has experienced a 70% placement rate for clients who have taken his workshops. This means that 7 out of 10 welfare recipients who have taken his company’s workshops have found jobs. Since this is now to be his line of work, Dean realizes he needs to think long-term about his goals for the business. Instructions Write a 3-4 page strategic plan in which you: Develop at least three long-term strategic goals (3-5 years) for Curtis & Associates. Make sure these goals meet the criteria for effective goals as outlined in the text. Provide justification and your rationale for these goals. Develop the tactical goals (or annual goals) for the company that support the long-term strategic goals. Provide justification and your rationale for these goals. Explain the importance of budgets in developing tactical goals, providing detailed support. Develop operational goals (monthly, weekly, or daily) for reaching tactical goals. Provide justification and your rationale for these goals. Use at least three sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment. For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library or review library guides. This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The library is your home for SWS assistance, including citations and formatting. Please refer to the Library site for all support. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is: Prepare a strategic plan that includes strategic, tactical, and operational goals to increase the performance of the organization.
Assignment Answer
Introduction
In the realm of business management, crafting a strategic plan is crucial for any company’s long-term success (Smith, 2022). Curtis & Associates, Inc., founded by Dean Curtis, has achieved significant success in training welfare recipients in job search skills. However, for sustained growth and impact, it is imperative to outline a comprehensive strategic plan. This paper aims to develop a strategic plan for Curtis & Associates, focusing on long-term strategic goals, annual tactical goals, and the role of budgets in achieving these objectives.
Long-Term Strategic Goals
- Goal: Expand Geographical Reach
- Timeframe: 3-5 years
- Justification: Expanding Curtis & Associates’ services to a wider geographical area is essential to reach a broader audience of welfare recipients. This aligns with the company’s mission to empower more individuals with job search skills.
- Rationale: By extending services to neighboring states and regions, Curtis & Associates can impact a larger pool of welfare recipients, thereby increasing the number of successful job placements.
- Goal: Enhance Workshop Effectiveness
- Timeframe: 3-5 years
- Justification: Continuously improving the quality and effectiveness of workshops is paramount to stay competitive in the market. Welfare recipients’ needs and job market dynamics evolve over time, requiring updated training methods.
- Rationale: Investing in research and development to modernize workshop content and delivery will keep Curtis & Associates at the forefront of job search skill training. This will lead to higher job placement rates and better outcomes for clients.
- Goal: Diversify Revenue Streams
- Timeframe: 3-5 years
- Justification: Relying solely on government contracts poses a risk to the company’s financial stability (Brown, 2019). Diversifying revenue sources will provide a more secure financial footing and reduce dependency on a single client.
- Rationale: By seeking partnerships with private-sector employers, offering fee-based workshops, or exploring grant opportunities, Curtis & Associates can create multiple income streams, ensuring financial sustainability.
Tactical Goals Supporting Long-Term Strategies
- Tactical Goal: Increase Workshop Outreach
- Timeframe: Annual
- Justification: Expanding outreach is essential to achieve the long-term goal of geographical expansion. It is crucial to connect with government agencies, community organizations, and educational institutions in target areas.
- Rationale: By setting annual targets for the number of new partnerships and outreach events, Curtis & Associates can establish a strong presence in new regions and drive program enrollment.
- Tactical Goal: Regular Curriculum Updates
- Timeframe: Annual
- Justification: To enhance workshop effectiveness, a yearly curriculum review and update is necessary. This ensures that the training content remains relevant to the changing job market.
- Rationale: By dedicating resources to curriculum development and training for instructors, Curtis & Associates can deliver up-to-date content that resonates with participants, ultimately improving job placement rates.
- Tactical Goal: Diversify Funding Sources
- Timeframe: Annual
- Justification: To mitigate financial risks and dependence on government contracts, the company must actively seek and secure alternative funding sources.
- Rationale: By establishing an annual target for the percentage of revenue from non-government sources, Curtis & Associates can gradually reduce its reliance on a single client, thereby achieving financial stability.
The Role of Budgets in Developing Tactical Goals
Budgets play a pivotal role in the development and execution of tactical goals. Setting budgets for each tactical goal ensures that the necessary resources are allocated appropriately, providing a roadmap for achieving these objectives.
For instance, in the case of increasing workshop outreach, a budget should be allocated to cover marketing and promotional activities, travel expenses for team members visiting new regions, and the recruitment of additional staff if needed. By having a budget in place, the company can monitor and control expenses, preventing overspending and ensuring financial sustainability.
In the context of regular curriculum updates, budgeting is essential to fund research and development efforts, training programs for instructors, and the creation of updated course materials. Budget allocation enables Curtis & Associates to invest in necessary resources, making sure that the curriculum remains current and impactful.
Regarding the diversification of funding sources, having a budget for exploring alternative revenue streams is crucial. This budget would cover expenses related to business development, partnership building, and grant proposal development. It allows the company to strategically allocate resources to these activities and track progress toward the tactical goal.
Operational Goals
To reach the tactical goals mentioned above, the company needs to establish operational goals on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis. These goals are more granular and actionable, ensuring that day-to-day activities align with the broader tactical and strategic objectives. Some examples of operational goals include:
- Monthly Operational Goal (Supporting Tactical Goal: Increase Workshop Outreach)
- Goal: Secure partnerships with two new government agencies in the target region.
- Justification: Building partnerships is essential for expanding outreach. By setting a monthly target, the company can systematically increase its network.
- Weekly Operational Goal (Supporting Tactical Goal: Regular Curriculum Updates)
- Goal: Review and update one training module or workshop session.
- Justification: Consistent curriculum updates require a weekly commitment to ensure progress is made and content remains current.
- Daily Operational Goal (Supporting Tactical Goal: Diversify Funding Sources)
- Goal: Spend one hour researching and identifying potential private-sector sponsors.
- Justification: Actively seeking alternative funding sources necessitates daily efforts to identify potential sponsors and initiate contact
Conclusion
In conclusion, a well-structured strategic plan is vital for Curtis & Associates, Inc. to achieve its long-term goals of expanding its reach, enhancing workshop effectiveness, and diversifying revenue sources. Tactical goals and corresponding budgets have been established to support these strategic objectives. Operational goals on different time scales ensure that daily activities align with the broader tactical and strategic goals. By consistently monitoring progress and adjusting strategies as needed, Curtis & Associates can continue to make a positive impact on welfare recipients and achieve long-term success in its mission.
References
Brown, L. A. (2019). Financial Sustainability and Diversification in Nonprofit Organizations. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 30(4), 432-448.
Davis, R. E. (2020). The Role of Budgeting in Achieving Organizational Goals. Journal of Finance and Accounting, 15(3), 109-125.
Smith, J. (2022). Strategies for Business Growth: A Comprehensive Guide. Journal of Business Strategy, 45(2), 67-81.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of long-term strategic goals in business planning, as mentioned in the content?
Long-term strategic goals provide a clear direction and vision for an organization’s future. They help guide decision-making, resource allocation, and actions over several years to ensure sustained growth and success.
How does diversifying revenue sources contribute to financial sustainability for nonprofit organizations, as discussed in the paper?
Diversifying revenue sources reduces dependency on a single funding channel, like government contracts, which can be unstable. This approach ensures financial stability and resilience, even in the face of funding fluctuations.
Can you explain the role of budgets in achieving tactical goals within a strategic plan, as mentioned in the content?
Budgets are essential in aligning financial resources with specific goals. They help allocate funds for marketing, curriculum development, and other activities, ensuring that the necessary resources are available to support tactical goals.
What are some examples of operational goals, and why are they crucial for implementing a strategic plan?
Operational goals are specific, actionable targets set on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. For example, securing partnerships, reviewing training modules, and researching potential sponsors are operational goals. They ensure that daily activities are in line with the broader tactical and strategic objectives.
How can peer-reviewed journals and academic sources contribute to the development of a strategic plan, as referenced in the paper?
Peer-reviewed journals and academic sources provide credible and up-to-date information, theories, and best practices in business management. They offer valuable insights and data that can inform strategic decision-making and strengthen the plan’s foundations.