Business models for strategic planning cover a wide range or models, plans and possibilities, the details of which are dependent on your individual company's goals and needs. Strategic planning models can also really add to a company's success, if done properly. The first step in effective strategic business planning is learning about the key terms and concepts involved.

For instance, there are several approaches you can take with your strategic business plans. There is the basic model, which is great for start ups who need to formulate a clear cut mission statement, action plan and strategy. There's also the issue based model, meant for companies that need to rework their goals to tackle a specific issue or problem. With either of these plans, companies must consider their resources, financial means (profit or non-profit) and how they can modify a standardized model to customize it for their needs. Some additional models include:

1. The alignment strategic business model, which helps companies realign wayward practices with their mission and original goals.

2. The scenario business plan model helps companies react to unexpected external forces, so they can continue to strive for success.

3. The organic strategic plan template embraces self organization and dialogue.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn basic strategic business models to understand planning key terms

Start by learning the very basic key terms that describe how business models relate and affect strategic planning. For instance, a SWOT analysis is a tool that helps identify weaknesses that can be corrected through business models that address strategic planning.

I recommend: The Free Management Library has an excellent overview of how business models affect strategic planning and basic key terms. AllBusiness.com has a comprehensive overview in an article by Bill Fiddler, which also defines several key terms.

Learn the more specific terms of a strategic planning model

Once you know the basic terms and what strategic planning and business models are all about, it's time to gain a more in-depth understanding. The more you know, the better your own business model will be.

I recommend: PlanningSkills.com has an extensive list of more specific terms with easy to follow definitions. The Balanced Scorecard Institute also has a helpful glossary of more specialized business models to learn more strategic planning terms.

Learn key terms of a software development model for strategic planning

More companies are turning to software and computer applications to create their business models and strategically plan their year. However, software of this nature comes with it's own lingo and set of key terms.

I recommend: CS Digital Library has a comprehensive research paper that explores key concepts and defines key terms regarding software development models for strategic planning. IEEE Xplore presents a reference model for global software development as related to strategic planning.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're considering hiring a third party to create a strategic business model for you, ask first for a free evaluation. This way you'll hopefully be able to see if the third party company can pinpoint and address your needs and goals.

Strategic planning models can help you identify the best methods for achieving your company's goals and create a foundation for growth. A strategic business model is appropriate both for creating a new company's initial growth strategy, and for re-evaluating and adapting this strategic plan along the way.

A strategic planning model is more than just a "to-do" list; it's a comprehensive plan that takes into account where your company is now, where it wants to be, and the most efficient ways to make that journey.

For example, businesses new to strategic planning might choose a basic model, in which it identifies its mission, and the goals it needs to achieve to fulfill that mission. As they grow, they may then move to a more comprehensive "goal-based" model, which analyzes a company's strengths and weaknesses, identifies major goals, and establish strategies and action plans to achieve these goals.

Business models for strategic planning can be used to:

1. Help a small organization grow during its first year
2. Evaluate possible outcomes of multiple scenarios
3. Identify a company's strengths and weaknesses and create a business plan model around these
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select strategic business models by assessing your organization

Choosing the right strategic planning model is largely dependent on your company's needs and goals. Once you have a strong sense of your business direction, you can determine which strategic business model is right for your business at this stage in its growth.

I recommend: Assess your company through online evaluation tools like the SWOT analysis at Mindtools, or hire a coach, such as Jim Harris, who does phone coaching, to help you set the goals that will determine what strategic business model you should choose.

Use a strategic plan template to develop your strategic business plan

Training materials can provide you with a model that you can adapt to your organization by simply filling in the blanks, or by adapting it to your organization's specific needs.

I recommend: Software from Instant Strategist takes you through the strategic planning process, and the Center for Simplified Strategic Planning offers a strategic planning manual and templates.

Learn about strategic business development from strategic business planning experts.

Especially if you're new to strategic planning, you may benefit from the hands-on instruction of a workshop. Experienced teachers can guide you step-by-step through the process of identifying your company's goals and needs, and identifying the model that most closely matches those.

I recommend: The Haines Centre for Strategic Management offers webinars in strategic planning and management; also consider signing up for their free newsletter.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't feel that you have to stick to one strategic business model for the life your company; in fact, business development models are more effective if they're continually re-evaluated and adapted to changing conditions in your organization and in the marketplace.

Are you confused as to which business plan model to implement in your organization? You’ve used a model that’s worked for several years. It’s been successful, but now it’s not as effective as it once was. The business landscape has changed. You need to change with it. You need information and education.

You can go to the bookstore or library and read about different business models for strategic planning. However, you don’t have the time. Use the Internet to your advantage and educate yourself on business development models by doing the following:

1. Learn how seminars can help understand business models for strategic planning.

2. Become familiar with the strategic planning model by listening to podcasts.

3. Learn how you can get business models for strategic planning education and training by reading white papers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about business models for strategic planning through seminars

One of the first ways of getting business models for strategic planning education and training is by attending seminars. You can hear different points of views on business development models from both keynote speakers and participants. You can also learn the pros and cons of a certain strategic business development model.

I recommend: Performance Prime has seminars on strategic planning models. The seminars are designed to help sales and executive staff and senior management deal with the challenges they face in a competitive business world. Performance Prime aims to help these professionals create mental skills to better handle these changes. Bernard Parks Small Business Seminars also offers several seminars on strategic business models. This company has a seminar designed for online businesses. The seminar covers four strategic business plans that are tailored for the Web, including information delivery, online communities, service sales, and product sales.

Learn about the strategic planning model through podcasts

Podcasts are effective tools to get business models for strategic planning education and training. One reason to listen to podcasts is so that you can get the latest trends on strategic business modeling. Through podcasts, you can learn the best strategic business models plans that will help your organization save money and time.

I recommend: Savings Beyond Price offers podcasts on strategic business planning that will help your company save money. Although the podcast is tailored to the health care industry, you can learn some of the strategies that you can apply to your business. The Lippis Report also provides a seminar on strategic business models.

Learn how white papers can help you with strategic planning education and training

White papers can help you quickly develop and create business models for strategic planning for your organization. White papers can define what business models are. They also educate you on the difference between a business model and strategy. Finally, you can learn how business models help you make money and deliver value to your customers.

I recommend: BNet has white papers on business development models. You’ll learn how business models differ from strategies. You’ll also learn how to use a strategic business model that will help you make money and produce value. TechRepublic also provides white papers on business development models.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't rush into replacing your existing business plan model with a new one. Once you have educated yourself on various business plan models, if there are some aspects of a new business plan model that you like, consider incorporating them into your existing one.