S/Y/N Associates

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We take a different approach to strategic planning for maximum impact. Our Approach Our approach has four elements: One: Strategic Outlook We believe strategic thinking and strategic action need to be woven into the very fabric of any organization, whether it’s in the for-profit, nonprofit, or public sector. The world is changing too quickly and becoming too complex to put strategic planing on a fixed calendar—strategy needs to be a part of daily awareness. Here’s an example of why we believe this: A client’s revenue stream relied heavily on a single partner. When that partner announced it was closing down its regional operations, the client had to devise a new strategy and fast. Traditional strategic planning took too long, so using a novel approach that involved creating “strategy filters,” the client was able to adapt to the new situation quickly. Two: A Whole-Systems Perspective We take a whole-systems approach to strategic planning. We encourage our clients to dig deeper in a disciplined way to look at the interdependencies in their many systems—financial, information, and operational. We challenge clients to consider new ways of doing things by asking simple, yet provocative, questions from a “beginner‘s mind” point of view. For example, with a recent nonprofit client, we worked from the top down and the bottom up. From the top, we got agreement that the mission still reflected the organization’s purpose. Having done that, we looked at the nonprofit’s programs to make sure they supported the mission. Then, we looked at the operations to ensure they supported the programs. We analyzed the financial, information, and operational systems to make sure they were all aligned and working towards one common purpose—fulfilling the mission. By taking a whole-systems approach, we ensure that there is alignment between individuals, departments, and divisions throughout an organization. Three: Support Through Implementation Unlike other firms that simply facilitate the strategic planning proces, we continue to support our clients through implementation. Why do this? Because our goal is different than other firms—we want our clients to think and act strategically. We want to improve their strategic literacy, and, like anything new, that takes time to develop. As decisions and plans are made, we check to ensure they support the overall strategy. Monthly and quarterly check-ups make sure the organization’s on track and continuing to exhibit strategic awareness. Four: Sustainability Planning For those organizations committed to being environmentally and socially responsible—as well as being financially sound—we weave sustainability practices into strategic planning. We believe it needs to be a part of every organization's long-term strategy and integrated into its planning process. Simple steps like recycling, green cleaning and facilities maintenance, and lighting and energy audits are first steps towards sustainability that can be readily integrated into strategic planning.

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