STRATEGY PLANNING FACILITATOR & MODERATOR: STRATEGIC CONSULTANT FOR HIRE

A strategy planning facilitator is a strategic consulting expert, keynote speaker and/or consultant who guides organizations through the complex process of developing and implementing strategic plans. Work is crucial in helping businesses, non-profits, and other entities chart their course for the future, align their resources, and with help from top strategy planning facilitators achieve their long-term goals.

Role and Responsibilities

The main thrust is to oversee and manage the strategic planning process. That means:

1. Preparation: Working with leadership to define the scope, objectives, and participants of the planning process.

2. Information Gathering: Collecting and analyzing relevant data about the organization’s internal capabilities and external environment.

3. Facilitation of Meetings: Leading strategy sessions, ensuring all voices are heard, and keeping discussions focused and productive.

4. Conflict Resolution: Mediating disagreements as top strategy planning facilitators and helping the team reach consensus on key issues.

5. Documentation: Capturing ideas, decisions, and action plans that emerge from the planning process.

6. Follow-up: Assisting with the implementation and monitoring of the strategic plan.

Skills and Qualities

Experienced strategy planning facilitators bring myriad upsides to the table:

1. Strong Communication: Ability to articulate complex ideas and listen actively to diverse perspectives.

2. Analytical Thinking: Capacity to synthesize information and identify patterns and opportunities.

3. Impartiality: Maintaining objectivity and avoiding bias in guiding discussions.

4. Leadership: Inspiring trust and motivating participants to engage fully in the process.

5. Project Management: Organizing and managing multiple aspects of the planning process.

6. Industry Knowledge: Understanding of business principles and familiarity with the client’s sector.

Benefits of Using a Strategy Planning Facilitator

Organizations often choose to work with a facilitator for several reasons:

1. Objectivity: An external facilitator can offer an unbiased perspective, free from internal politics or preconceptions.

2. Expertise: Facilitators bring specialized knowledge and experience in strategic planning methodologies.

3. Focus: By managing the process, facilitators allow organizational leaders to fully participate in content discussions.

4. Efficiency: Skilled facilitators can keep the process on track and ensure productive use of time.

5. Fresh Perspective: Outside facilitators can challenge assumptions and bring new ideas to the table.

Methodologies and Tools

Strategy planning facilitators employ top methodologies and tools, including:

1. SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
2. Balanced Scorecard
3. Scenario Planning
4. Porter’s Five Forces
5. Design Thinking
6. Agile Strategy Development

The choice of tools depends on the organization’s needs, industry, and specific challenges.

Steering through the terrain of strategic planning and providing structure, expertise, and impartial guidance, strategy planning facilitators enable organizations to develop robust, actionable strategies that drive long-term success. A knack to harmonize diverse viewpoints, challenge assumptions, and maintain focus on long-term objectives ensures that consulting services leaders are always in-demand.