From August 1995

Business Planning

We are increasingly being commissioned to undertake projects where the client needs an effective business planning process introduced.

In order to properly manage this process Mark has developed a series of workshops that take the host organisation through all of the activities required to properly examine the environment within which it operates.

We have now found that the best results are obtained using a team approach. Each team member usually needs about 2 hours to prepare for each workshop and a further 3-4 hours is spent in small syndicate groups discussing the ideas generated.

To date ten workshops have been developed, each of which covers a critical stage in the business planning process. The last two workshops also cover the mechanisms used to manage the implementation and review the plan where required.

These workshops have now been successfully trailed with the following organisations:

• Abacus Transport Ltd
• Cle-Pol Manufacturing Co. Ltd
• Bethnal Green and Victoria Park Housing Association Ltd
• MSP (Southern) Ltd
• Pegden & Dubow Solicitors

One complete copy of all workshops has also been given to David Storer of Chrompack (UK) Ltd to review and read. David is currently part way through his diploma of management at Reading University so his comments will be especially helpful.

All comments and suggestions will be seriously considered so if anyone else would like to read the workshops prior to a business planning assignment we would be happy to provide copies.