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• We know that without a clear strategy leadership is ineffective and people don't know how best to prioritise their efforts.

• The trouble is that decision-makers become frustrated in strategy meetings because many of the questions they must answer seem nebulous.

• When faced with so many imponderables and many answers depending on other things happening, people are afraid to commit themselves.

• Another cause of frustration is the strong differences of opinions amongst senior decision-makers.

An independent and experienced facilitator can help by:

• Getting people to do the preparation at least two weeks before the event

• Helping the strategy team to formulate those questions that must be answered

• Prepare all the paperwork and agenda

• "Cajoling" colleagues to give some answers to those difficult questions

• Picking up on apparently insignificant statements or comments which can lead to whole new perspectives

• Advising on new ways forward and potential difficulties in any course of action

• "Keeping the peace!"

• Recording and writing-up the results of the Strategy Meeting.

Dear Bill

Your facilitation of our strategy meeting was extremely helpful. These events can prove contentious at the best of times and your tactful but firm approach kept us on track. The many questions you posed were of great benefit in helping to focus and refine our thinking. I am pleased to recommend your services to others.

Andy Wallis, Managing Director, BW Group plc

 

Bill

The results of the three-day Strategy Review you facilitated for Santa Fe have been well received by our Head Office in Dallas. Starting with a "blank sheet" the team came away with twelve major directions for further study - valuable information in deciding the direction of our business. The senior managers and engineers you worked with are very experienced and have strong opinions. It is credit to you and them that the team came away with a thorough product in three days. Santa Fe is considering doing similar events in other regions.

Roger K. De Freitas, Regional Manager, Santa Fe Drilling.

Bill

Your help and assistance has been valuable and much appreciated. The straightforward advice you gave us on our longer term strategy helped us question our plans and highlighted several areas where we needed to pay more attention. You helped us grasp the nettle and do what we now know we had to do in this highly competitive business. Your candid yet cordial nature was, and still is, much appreciated and the lasting effects of having employed your services continues to stand us in good stead.

John A. Crawford, Chairman & Managing Director, Hayfield International.