Full Service
Strategic & Business Planning
Strategic Planning
No matter what type of association or business you are in, a realistic, viable strategic plan is key to your ability to survive and achieve your stated mission. A sound strategic plan helps an association develop clarity of purpose and allows scarce resources to be targeted for maximum results. Creating a strategic plan that will enable your association to achieve these goals requires a disciplined approach that is results oriented, fact-based, measurable and ongoing. At DMG, we are experts at guiding associations of all sizes through the various stages of creating or updating their strategic plans. Our consultants help you not only create a better plan, but a better planning process.
Strategic Environmental Analysis
Given all the demands on association leaders today, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. When it comes time for strategic planning and long-term decision-making, developing a broader perspective through environmental analysis should be the starting point. A thorough environmental analysis allows your Board and staff to correctly position your organization within your industry and identify those issues most crucial to your membership.
DMG's consultants help you:
- Review current economic, political and social trends that affect your association; Determine the impact of such trends on your long-range goals and objectives
- Determine threats and opportunities for your association;
- Assess your association's strengths and weaknesses;
- Assess strategic opportunities for your association.
Defining Long-Range Goals and Objectives
Once an environmental analysis has been completed, DMG helps your association develop long-range goals and objectives. These include a vision statement for the organization, a concise mission or purpose statement, a list of needs or goals, and an action plan showing how to meet them.
We Fit Our Services to Your Budget
DMG tailors its services to fit your association's size, membership and budget. Your association may require a full strategic plan or simply need guidance with environmental analysis, membership surveys, focus groups, mission/vision statements or action plans. Our consultants will work closely with you to determine which of our services best meet your association's needs and budget.
Business Planning
Sound strategic and business planning are the solid foundation upon which a well- managed association is built. Once an association's strategic plan has been developed (see Strategic Planning), a comprehensive business plan should be created to carry out stated goals and objectives and ensure they are adequately financed.
Let DMG's Team of Experts Work for You
Developing a long-range strategic business plan for an association is a multi-tiered, concise process. With over 20 years of experience in the association management/consulting field, DMG has the expertise to position your association for a sound future and give you the tools needed to get there and grow.
The Marketing Plan
The most important part of any business plan is a good marketing strategy. Marketing drives the association's programs and finances. DMG begins by conducting an analysis of your industry or profession along with researching macro-level market segmentation and competitive trends. We then develop a formal analysis of the basic structure and channels of distribution in your industry, including which associations serve particular segments. Using this macro-level data, we then create a microanalysis of your association, its membership and its benefits.
With this information, DMG professionals help you develop an internal marketing strategy along with plans for chapter relations, media campaigns and external organizational relations.
Operations and Organizational Plans
Using the data obtained in the marketing plan, DMG consultants help you establish intra- organizational goals and objectives, such as growth projections, personnel needs and equipment and office space requirements for the future.
In determining your organizational plan, it is important to consider the organization's structure. Organizational charts and job descriptions for all elected officials, Board members and committee chairpersons will be carefully compiled and studied by our experienced professionals.
The Financial Plan
Based on projected revenues from marketing efforts and operation expense projections prepared earlier in the planning process, our consultants will help your association develop a sound financial plan.
Management Evaluations
DMG consulting can review management effectiveness using a number of evaluative criteria with comparisons to industry benchmarks. Such evaluations can be very useful in pinpointing areas of potential productivity increases.