CLASSMATE 1

Why do organizations need to develop strategic plans? (Discussion 9)

In order to understand the importance of a need of a thing, it is first important to know what that thing is. A strategic plan can be defined as an organizations game plan (David & David, 2017). When I envision a strategic plan, I think of football and basketball teams. Coaches develop different plays to utilize to assist the team in bringing home the win. So, it is with strategic planning. Strategic planning derived in the 1950’s and have emerged over the years. Strategic planning assist organizations to not only plan for now, but also optimizing opportunities for the future. It is imperative that leaders understand the significance of strategic planning.

Benjamin Franklin once stated, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail (Hall, 2019). This statement alone speaks volume as I can personally relate. No one was prepared for COVID-19. There are plans in place in the event a natural disaster occurs, an attack occurs, etc. However, when the pandemic hit, there was no plan. Although this pandemic may be one of the biggest pandemics, with more than expected or wanted fatalities. However, envision if there was a plan developed that would have decreased the number of cases as well as the number of deaths surrounding the COVID-19.

Organizations are constantly competing with one another. Therefore, it is vital for leaders to ensure that their strategic plan is effectively developed. Part of developing a strategic plan is first envisioning where the owner/leader desires for the organization to be. Based on where the organization is going, the vision, mission, assessing internal abilities and external threats and opportunities, assessing strategies, and prioritizing those strategies can assist in the formulation of a strategy, within the organization (David & David, 2017). Goals and objectives are also established within the organization. Another element essential to having an effective strategic plan is developing policies and procedures. Policies and procedures can assist organizations with maintaining order within as well as the do’s and don’ts within the organization. Some policies can include, safety, risk, trainings, health concerns, leave, etc. It is imperative to recognize that each component of the strategic plan is vital to the success of the organization. Therefore, it is vital for organizations to develop a strategic plan, to be prepared for adversity, even before it arises.

David, F. R., & David, F. R. (2017). Strategic management: A competitive advantage approach. Boston: Pearson.

Hall, S. (2019, August 01). PR Insight: If You Fail to Plan, You Plan to Fail. Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.cumanagement.com/articles/2019/08/pr-insight-if-you-fail-plan-you-plan-fail

CLASSMATE 2 

        Discussion 9

Topic: Why do organizations need to develop strategic plans?

             The development of an effective strategy can assist a company in ensuring long-term profits and the maximum growth of the company. However, in order to secure this success a strategic plan must be developed and implemented. According to Bryson and Alston (2011), strategic planning is defined as a set of concepts, procedures, tools, and practices designed to help an organization’s (collaboration’s or community’s) leaders, managers, planners, staff, and other stakeholders to think, act, and learn strategically. Strategic planning assists business owners and leaders in knowing what to do to alleviate a problem and how to do it. This process is a direct guide that aids businesses in traveling from where they currently are to where they want to be. Bryson and Alston (2011) highlights six benefits of utilizing strategic planning. The first benefit is that strategic planning can be used to help organize and manage effective organizational processes. The second benefit is that strategic planning assist with improved decision making. The third benefit is that strategic planning enhances the organizations effectiveness, responsiveness, and resilience. The fourth benefit is that strategic planning enhances the legitimacy of the organization. The fifth benefit is that strategic planning enhances the effectiveness of broader societal systems. The last benefit is that strategic planning can directly benefit the people involved. These benefits demonstrate the vitality of employing strategic planning.

            In Martin Reeve’s video (2014), “Your strategy needs a strategy”, he mentions that one approach to strategy doesn’t fit all. He furthers that the approach to strategy has to match the issue. For example, I work for a very large mental health agency and this agency has been around for a very long time. As one can imagine, things in health care are constantly changing. Consequently, the company has to stay on top of those changes and the issues that arise because of those changes. The changes that occur in health care effects the business, their consumers, their employees and so on. Therefore, it’s impossible to implement only one strategy and then apply it to each issue that arises within the company. As a result, the company is constantly developing plans to assist with problems as they arise within the business.

Bryson, J.M. & Alston, F.K. (2011). Creating your strategic plan: A workbook for 

          public and nonprofit organizations. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Reeves, M. (2014, October). Your strategy needs a strategy . Retrieved from

https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_reeves_your_strategy_needs_a_strategy#t-367254

Communication Plan
Visit
https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/quality/toolbox/508pdfs/developingqiplan.pdf
The experts explain that a communication plan should describe needs and expectations. It should also be specific to need to know parties, as well as being consistent and timely. Why do you think this is this so important? What are the positive effects of the well thought out success plan and the negative?

 

6-1 Discussion: Data Analysis and Planning

Contains unread posts Available on Saturday, October 17, 2020 11:59 PM EDT

Review the case study data related to your research problem and describe potential analysis tools and methods you will use to answer your research question. Be specific: Reference specific descriptive and inferential statistics from your textbook that you plan to use in your analysis. To support your plan, reference a business research study that implemented this method, and explain why you believe it was appropriate.

1. Alignment of HRM and Business Strategies
   Instructions
   Select a publicly-traded company to research. Evaluate its human resource (HR) and business strategy, HR department job positions, and ways it markets its company regarding human capital. The following are some of the company websites that provide this information:
   • Allstate: Human Resources Careers.
   • State Farm: Human Resources & Training Careers.
   • Ford: Careers.
   • Aruba Marriott Careers. (You can also search for other companies from the Marriott website.)
   • In addition, refer to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticswebsite, which identifies detailed roles for HRM personnel and offers you some insight into HRM positions.
     Requirements
     Write a 2 to 3 page paper in which you:
   • Propose how you would ensure the HR strategy is in alignment with the business strategy.
   • Describe the HR job positions and the responsibilities listed for that HR department.
   • Determine which HR job positions you would prefer and explain why.
   • Analyze how the selected company can establish HRM strategies to improve competitive advantages.
   • Propose three ways that the company can increase diversity.
   • Use at least three high-quality academic resources in this assignment. Consider beginning with your course textbook and quality sources that can be found in the Strayer Library.
     Note: Wikipedia does not qualify as an academic resource.
     This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
     The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
   • Propose how to align human resource strategies with business strategies to increase competitive advantage, including increasing diversity.
2. By submitting this paper, you agree: (1) that you are submitting your paper to be used and stored as part of the SafeAssign™ services in accordance with the Blackboard Privacy Policy; (2) that your institution may use your paper in accordance with your institution’s policies; and (3) that your use of SafeAssign will be without recourse against Blackboard Inc. and its affiliates.

Assume you are the local emergency manager for your community. You have conducted a risk analysis and identified a hazard that presents an imminent threat to your community.

Draft a proposal of an emergency operations plan for your mayor or commissioners that covers preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery for the identified hazard. Your plan should include, at a minimum, the following information:

• an overview of the hazard and your analysis of the threat;
• the sequence of events, resources, and any participants that you and the planning committee would include in the emergency operations plan;
• how to share this plan with city/county officials, response organizations, and the public and if there be opportunity for feedback;
• the identification of specific roles in the plan; and
• whose buy-in and support you need to ensure the effectiveness of the plan and how you propose to secure it.

You should ensure your plan presents a clear argument based on your analysis of the situation. You should use a minimum of five sources of evidence to support your analysis and plan. These sources may include applicable federal, state, or local laws, as well as research or other sources relevant to your analysis and plan.

Your proposal should be a minimum of three pages, not including your title and reference pages. All sources used must be properly cited. Your proposal, including all references, should be formatted in APA style.