Abstract:
A strategic planner has a roadmap, a tabbed planning section, tabbed dividers, a calendar section and a notebook divider. The roadmap has a planning matrix of rows and columns displayed according to planning categories and planning concepts. The tabbed planning section has planning pages. One set of tabbed dividers is interleaved with the planning pages and are labeled according to the planning categories. The calendar section has calendar pages interleaved with a second set of tabbed dividers labeled according to months of the year. The notebook divider is located within the calendar pages according to the current month and the current day of the week and displays cells listing the planning concepts. The cells are organized according to the planning categories and have blank areas for recording planning objectives derived from the planning concepts and planning categories.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/277,495, filed Sep. 25, 2009, titled Strategic Planning Method and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/366,912, filed Jul. 22, 2010, titled Strategic Planner, all of the above-referenced applications hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF COPENDING RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0002]    The present application is related to U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/______, filed Sep. 27, 2010, titled Notebook Divider, incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Strategic planning is an important activity for both business and personal endeavors. Strategic planning typically includes devising goals and strategies and setting objectives and tasks. Goals specify accomplishments needed to achieve an overall result, such as the stated mission of an organization. Strategies are the methods or processes required to achieve those goals. Objectives provide specific milestones toward achieving goals. Tasks are those activities designed to meet each milestone according to the identified strategies. Part of strategic planning is also the regular evaluation of the planning process and its implementation so as to assess whether goals are being achieved and determine whether the plan should be modified or updated. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A strategic planner advantageously integrates all of the elements needed for both business and personal planning including a notebook binder, a roadmap, a planning section, a multi-purpose notebook divider and calendar pages. The roadmap defines a methodology for developing goals and strategies according to multiple categories. These categories define the conceptual framework of the strategic planner. The planning section provides sheets organized by tabbed dividers, which define subsections corresponding to the roadmap categories. Each subsection allows the user to write out specific goals and strategies according to the tabbed category and to derive objectives accordingly. The notebook divider is typically positioned at the current date within the calendar pages. The divider provides areas labeled according to the roadmap categories. One use for these areas is to temporarily record objectives derived and recorded in the tabbed planning section. When objectives are met or modified, new objectives can be recorded. The divider and its specified objectives can then be used to derive detailed tasks written on the calendar pages. In an embodiment, a portion of the divider can be used to record the success or failure of tasks and corresponding objectives, which can be used as feedback to the planning subsections to modify goals and strategies accordingly. 
         [0005]    One aspect of a strategic planner comprises a roadmap, a tabbed planning section, first tabbed dividers, second tabbed dividers, a calendar section and a notebook divider. The roadmap has a planning matrix of rows and columns displayed according to planning categories and planning concepts. The tabbed planning section has planning pages. The first tabbed dividers interleaved with the planning pages and are labeled according to the planning categories. The calendar section has calendar pages interleaved with the second tabbed dividers, which are labeled according to months of the year. The notebook divider is located within the calendar pages according to the current month and the current day of the week and displays cells listing the planning concepts. The cells are organized according to the planning categories and have blank areas for recording planning objectives derived from the planning concepts and planning categories. 
         [0006]    In various embodiments, icons identify the roadmap planning categories and the notebook divider cells. The notebook divider is foldable and movable between an open position, a closed front-side position and a closed back-side position. The open position displays the cells, the closed front-side position displays the categories and concepts and the closed back-side position displays the categories and has blank areas corresponding to the categories. The notebook divider has an inner panel, an outer panel and a hinge that rotatably connects the inner panel and the outer panel so that the notebook divider is foldable. The inner panel comprises a front side, a reverse side, holed edge and a hinge edge opposite the holed edge. The inner panel front side displays the categories and the concepts and the reverse side displays the categories and the blank areas. The outer panel has a front side, a reverse side and a hinge edge. The hinge edges of the inner and outer panels are interleaved so as to form the hinge. The outer panel front side displays cells listing examples of planning concepts according to the categories. The outer panel reverse side displays the categories and the concepts. 
         [0007]    Another aspect of a strategic planner is a strategic planning roadmap describing planning concepts according to planning categories. A planning section has pages divided into planning subsections and tabbed according to the planning categories. The planning concepts are referenced in the roadmap so as to develop goals and strategies for achieving those goals. The goals and strategies are recorded in the planning subsections under the corresponding tabbed categories. The planning subsections are referenced so as to develop objectives for achieving the recorded goals according to the recorded strategies. A notebook divider has spaces labeled according to the planning categories where the objectives are recorded. A calendar section has pages labeled according to months and days, and the notebook divider is generally located within a current date portion of the calendar section. Daily tasks are recorded within the current date portion of the calendar section according to the objectives listed on the notebook divider. 
         [0008]    In various embodiments a strategic planning roadmap displays a matrix of planning categories and planning principles. The notebook divider has an inner panel, an outer panel and a hinge attaching the panels so as to fold the notebook divider between the panels. The notebook divider is moved between an open position and a closed position via the hinge. Binder apertures are located along a holed edge of the inner panel for securing the notebook divider to a binder and moving the notebook divider between a closed front-side position and a closed back-side position. Planning categories and planning concepts are displayed on the notebook divider in the closed front-side position. Planning categories and blank areas on the notebook divider are displayed on the notebook divider in the closed back-side position. Objectives are recorded in the blank areas according to the planning categories. 
         [0009]    A further aspect of a strategic planner is a roadmap means for defining a strategic plan according to planning categories and planning principles listed in a roadmap matrix. A tabbed planning section means is for recording goals and strategies for the strategic plan according to the planning categories. A notebook divider means is for recording objectives based upon the recorded goals and strategies. The notebook divider means is placed at a current date within a calendar pages section. An icon means is for pictorially identifying the planning categories. The icon means is displayed on the roadmap matrix and the notebook divider. A cell means is displayed on the notebook divider for recording objectives. A hinge means is for selectively displaying portions of an inner panel and an outer panel of the notebook divider. A removable label means is for placing written objectives in the cell means. An erasable pen means is for writing objectives in the cell means. 
         [0010]    One aspect of a notebook divider configured to insert into notebook bound pages comprises a generally rectangular planar inner panel having an inner panel front side and an inner panel back side and a generally rectangular planar outer panel having an outer panel front side and an outer panel back side. A hinge rotatably connects the outer panel to the inner panel so that the outer panel can be moved between a folded position generally overlapping the inner panel and an unfolded position generally juxtaposed with the inner panel. In various embodiments, the notebook divider has a holed edge of the inner panel defining a plurality of notebook apertures for attaching the inner panel onto notebook binders. The inner panel and outer panel are movable in the folded position along notebook binders between a front-side position and a back-side position. An inner hinge edge of the inner panel is opposite the holed edge and the inner hinge edge defines inner hinge notches and adjacent inner hinge inserts. An outer hinge edge of the outer panel defines outer hinge notches and adjacent outer hinge inserts. The hinge comprises the inner hinge inserts and notches interleaved with the outer hinge inserts and notches. The inner hinge inserts each have a relatively narrow neck extending from the inner hinge edge and a relatively wide head extending from the neck. The neck inserts into an outer hinge notch so that the head is captured by the outer hinge notch. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of a notebook divider is a method comprising providing an inner panel and an outer panel and folding the inner panel onto the outer panel so as to temporarily hide at least a portion of the inner panel and outer panel front sides. In various embodiments, folding comprises interleaving a serrated inner panel edge and a serrated outer panel edge to form a hinge and rotating the inner panel about the outer panel. Interleaving comprises defining inserts and corresponding notches along the serrated edges of the inner and outer panels and interlocking the serrated edges so as to maintain the integrity of the hinge. Interlocking comprises configuring the inserts with relatively wide insert heads and relatively narrow insert necks, configuring the notches with relatively wide notch heads and relatively narrow notch necks and interleaving inserts on one of the inner and outer panels with notches on the other of the outer and inner panels so that the insert heads are captured by the notch heads. 
         [0012]    A further aspect of a notebook divider comprises an inner panel, an outer panel and a hinge means for interconnecting the inner panel and outer panel so that the inner panel rotates about the outer panel. In various embodiments, the hinge means comprises an inner panel serrated edge means for defining an inner panel hinge portion, an outer panel serrated edge means for defining an outer panel hinge portion. The inner panel serrated edge means and the outer panel serrated edge means are interlocked. The inner panel serrated edge means has inner panel insert means for defining corresponding inner panel notch means. The outer panel serrated edge means has outer panel insert means for defining corresponding outer panel notch means. The inner panel insert means interleaves with the outer panel notch means, and the outer panel insert means interleaves with the inner panel notch means. The inner panel insert means inserts into the outer panel notch means and the outer panel insert means inserts into the inner panel notch means. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a strategic planner; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a strategic planner embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a detailed illustration of a notebook-size roadmap embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A-B  are detailed illustrations of a pocket-size roadmap embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 5A-D  are detailed illustrations of a notebook divider embodiment having open front, partially-folded front, folded front and folded back positions; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a general flow diagram of a strategic planning process; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 7A-B  are front and back views, respectively, of a 8.5″×11″ notebook divider inner panel embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8A-B  front and back views, respectively, of a 8.5″×11″ notebook divider outer panel embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 9A-B  are front and back views, respectively, of a 5.5″×8.5″ notebook divider inner panel embodiment; and 
           [0022]      FIGS. 10A-B  are front and back views, respectively, of a 5.5″×8.5″ notebook divider outer panel embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  functionally illustrates a strategic planner  100  and corresponding strategic planning process  150 . In an embodiment, the strategic planner  100  has a strategy roadmap  110 , a category-tabbed planning section  120 , a notebook divider  130  and a date-tabbed calendar section  140 . A corresponding strategic planning method  150  advantageously uses the strategic planner  100  to develop and refine a business or personal plan from general goals and strategies  152  recorded in the categorized planning section  120  according to the roadmap  110  to narrower objectives  154  recorded on the notebook divider  130  based on the planning section  120  and finally to specific tasks  156  set forth in the calendar section  140 . 
         [0024]    A strategic planner embodiment is described with respect to  FIG. 2 , below. Strategy roadmap  110  embodiments are described in further detail with respect to  FIGS. 3-4 , below. A categorized planning section  120  having tabs labeled according to roadmap categories is described with respect to  FIG. 2 , below. Notebook divider  130  embodiments are described with respect to FIGS.  5  and  7 - 10 , below. A date-tabbed calendar section  140  is shown in  FIG. 2 , below, and can be any of a variety of commercially-available preprinted calendar pages listing the day, week and/or month for a specific year and, likewise, tabbed according to month, as shown. A strategic planning method  150  is described in further detail with respect to  FIG. 6 , below. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a strategic planner  200  having a roadmap  300  with a planning matrix  301 , a tabbed planning section  220 , a calendar pages section  240  and a notebook divider  500 . Advantageously, a strategic planner  200  assists a user in constructing a strategic plan by category according to principles referenced on the roadmap  300 . Long term planning developed in the tabbed planning section  220  is translated to short term planning recorded on the notebook divider  500 , such as daily or weekly goals and objectives. The notebook divider  500  is referenced in generating task lists and setting priorities for completing tasks, which are written in the calendar section  240 . A planning method based upon the strategic planner is described in further detail with respect to  FIG. 6 , below. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a roadmap  300  that organizes a planning matrix  301  according to general categories  310  in rows and concepts  320  in columns. In an embodiment, the general categories include Purpose, People, Productivity, and Progress. In an embodiment, the general categories breakdown into more specific subcategories  330  that tie into the planning section tabs  220  ( FIG. 2 ). In particular, the Purpose category includes Philosophical and Intellectual subcategories corresponding to tabs  1  and  2 . The People category has Sociological and Influential subcategories corresponding to tabs  3  and  4 . The Productivity category has Physical, Environmental, and Financial subcategories corresponding tabs  5 ,  6  and  7 . The Progress category has Developmental, Operational, and Consequential subcategories corresponding to tabs  8 ,  9  and  10 . The roadmap  300  also has tab references  340  corresponding to the planning section tabs  220  ( FIG. 2 ). In an embodiment, the subcategories  330  include readily recognizable mnemonic icons. In an embodiment the concepts  320  include a key concept  322 , a personal plan  324  and a business plan  328 . In other embodiments, plan categories  310 ,  330  may have various types of divisions and subdivisions besides or in addition to those described above. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the planning matrix  301  contains cells corresponding to each subcategory and each concept/plan type. In an embodiment, Philosophical cells include Get the Big Picture; Core Values—Attitudes and Beliefs and Mission Statement—Corporate Culture. Intellectual cells include Do the Homework; Education and Studies and Continuing Education Training. Sociological cells include Think: Team Sport; Roles and Duties and Positions and Duties. Influential cells include Get the Word Out; Personal Address and Phone and Business Address and Phone. Physical cells include Keep in Shape; Health and Fitness, and Products and Services. Environmental cells include Enjoy the View; Residence Maps and Place of Business Equipment. Financial cells include Add Value; Personal Finances and Business Finances. Developmental cells include Pick a Target and Strategies and Goals. Operational cells include Make It Happen; Key Dates and Calendar and Systems and Operations. Consequential cells include Leave a Legacy; Personal Journal and Business Journal. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate a 3.5″×4.0″ pocket planner  400  embodiment that folds along a fold line  405  to a standard 3.5″×2.0″ business card size. The pocket planner  400  serves as an abbreviated planning roadmap, somewhat comparable to the full-sized roadmap  300  ( FIG. 3 ), described above. In an embodiment, the pocket planner  400  has an outside  401  and an inside  402  (when folded). As shown in  FIG. 4A , the outside  401  has an undedicated section  410  that can be printed with a variety of information ranging from business card data to advertising, as examples. The outside  401  also has a dedicated section  420 , which in an embodiment is printed with a definitional matrix having subcategories  426 , such as described with respect to the roadmap  300  ( FIG. 3 ), above. Personal plan cells  428  and business plan cells  429  have preprinted definitions corresponding to the subcategories  426 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 4B , the inside  402  has an abbreviated planning matrix  430  having categories  432 , subcategory icons  434  and subcategory titles and corresponding concepts  436 , as described with respect to the planning roadmap  300  ( FIG. 3 ), above. Further, the abbreviated planning matrix  430  has blank cells for writing or otherwise recording specific goals, strategies and objectives, as described herein. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5A-D  illustrate a notebook divider embodiment  500  having an inner panel  700  that attaches to the notebook binder rings and an outer panel  800  that attaches to the inner panel  700 . A hinge  510  rotatably connects the panels  700 ,  800  so that the notebook divider  500  can be folded between an open position  FIG. 5A , a partially closed position  FIG. 5B  and a closed front-side position  FIG. 5C . Further, in the closed position  FIG. 5C , the divider can be flipped on the notebook binder rings between a front side  FIG. 5C  and a back-side  FIG. 5D . In this manner, the divider can be used with complete flexibility for the purposes described with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 , above. In an embodiment, the notebook divider  500  is sized for an 8.5″×11″ notebook. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 5A , in an open position the notebook divider roughly corresponds to the layout of the roadmap  300  ( FIG. 3 ). In particular, general categories, subcategories and corresponding icons  520  are displayed on the left side and corresponding tab numbers  550  are displayed on the right side. Further, concept cells  530  are displayed next to the categories and subcategories  520 . In an embodiment, the concept cells  530  may include labels listing the key concepts and blank areas for recording objectives related to the key concepts, as described above. Adjacent the tab numbers  550  are personal cells  540 . In an embodiment, the personal cells  540  may be preprinted with personal planning questions. In an embodiment, the key concepts include Get the Big Picture; Do the Homework; Think: Team Sport; Get the Word Out; Keep in Shape; Enjoy the View; Add Value; Pick a Target; Make It Happen; and Leave a Legacy. In an embodiment, the personal planning questions include What makes me tick?; How do I keep informed?; Who is on my side and who&#39;s my competition?; How do I communicate?; How do I keep myself (or product) in shape?; What are my surroundings like?; How do I add value to others and myself?; Looking at 1-7, what are my goals?; What did I do daily to reach my goals? and How do I keep the lessons I&#39;ve learned? 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, the cells  530 ,  540  have blank areas for writing or otherwise recording objectives. In various embodiments, these blank areas may be recorded with one or more of an erasable pen or pencil, individual removable paper labels corresponding in size to each cell or removable paper strips corresponding in size to an entire column of cells, to name a few. The paper labels or strips may be preprinted with the key concepts or personal planning questions described above and/or written on by hand with pen, pencil or other writing implements. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 5C , in a closed front-side position, the outer panel  800  is completely folded over onto the inner panel  700 , exposing the outer panel reverse side. On the reverse side, the outer panel  800  advantageously reproduces the roadmap  300  ( FIG. 3 ) general categories  810 , subcategories  830  and key concepts  820  or principles. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 5D , in a closed back-side position, the inner panel  700  is completely folded over onto the outer panel  800 , exposing the inner panel reverse side. On the reverse side, the inner panel  700  advantageously reproduces the roadmap  300  ( FIG. 3 ) general categories  710  and subcategories  730  and also provides blank areas  720  where planning objectives can be recorded corresponding to the roadmap  300  ( FIG. 3 ) key concepts or principles. These blank areas  720  may be recorded with one or more of an erasable pen or pencil, individual removable paper labels corresponding in size to each blank area or removable paper strips corresponding in size to an entire column of blank area, to name a few. The paper labels or strips may be preprinted with the key concepts or personal planning questions described above and/or written on by hand with pen, pencil or other writing implements. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates an organizational process  600  for using the strategic planner  200  ( FIG. 2 ). Advantageously, the roadmap  300  provides an organized structure for deriving goals and strategies  610 . In particular, the roadmap  300  lists planning principles according to categories and relates these categories to tabs in the planning section  220 . The roadmap  300  is described in detail with respect to  FIG. 3 , above. 
         [0036]    Also shown in  FIG. 6 , the tabbed planning section  220  advantageously provides various pages to record, modify and organize a strategic plan according to the roadmap categories. The tabbed planning section  220  also allows a quick and easy lookup and reference to the strategic plan according to these categories, which are printed on the tabs. 
         [0037]    Further shown in  FIG. 6 , the hinged notebook divider  500  locates daily or monthly pages in the calendar section  240 . In addition, the notebook divider  500  advantageously functions as a short term planner. In particular, goals and strategies  610  developed in the planning section  220  can be translated to specific objectives  620  recorded on the divider  500 . As such, these objectives  620  can be easily referenced and translated to daily tasks  630  written in the calendar pages  240 . The divider  500  may also be used to record objective modifications  640  gleaned from the calendar pages  240 , which functions as feedback from the performance of daily activities. Similarly, goals and strategies recorded in the tabbed planning section  220  may be reviewed and modified  650  according to notes made on the notebook divider  500 , described in detail with respect to  FIGS. 5A-D , above, and further with respect to  FIGS. 7-10 , below. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7-8  illustrate a divider inner panel  700  ( FIGS. 7A-B ) and outer panel  800  ( FIGS. 8A-B ) embodiment having a front side  701  ( FIG. 7A ),  801  ( FIG. 8A ) and a reverse side  702  ( FIG. 7B ),  802  ( FIG. 8B ). The inner panel  700  is a generally elongated, rectangular sheet having a protruding top, which extends from the pages of a strategic planner  200  ( FIG. 2 ) to function as a page divider, as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 1-2 , above. The inner panel  700  has a holed edge  750  and an opposite hinge edge  760 ,  770 . The holed edge  750  has multiple apertures, which may closed, as shown, or partially open so as to allow the divider to be inserted into the planner without opening the planner rings. The outer panel  800  is a generally elongated, rectangular sheet that is somewhat smaller than the first sheet in both dimensions so that the outer panel  800  does not cover the holed edge  750  or the protruding top in the folded position ( FIGS. 5C-D ). The outer panel  800  has a straight edge and an opposite hinge edge  860 ,  870 . 
         [0039]    Advantageously, the hinge edge  760 ,  770  of the inner panel and the hinge edge  860 ,  870  of the outer panel are configured to mesh so as to form a hinge  510  ( FIGS. 5A-C ). The inner panel hinge edge is serrated with multiple protruding inserts  760  defining multiple notches  770 . The outer panel hinge edge is also serrated with multiple protruding inserts  860  defining multiple notches  870 . The inner panel inserts  760  are sized to mesh with the outer panel notches  870 , and the outer panel inserts  860  are configured to mesh with the inner panel notches  770 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIGS. 7A-B , each inner panel insert  760  has a body having a relatively wide head  762  and a relatively narrow neck  768 . Except for the top and bottom inserts, each insert  760  has a pair of opposite facing ears  764  extending from the head  762 . The top and bottom inserts  760  have only one ear  764  extending away from the top edge and bottom edge of the panel  700 , respectively. Each inner panel notch  770  defines a relatively wide head  774  and a relatively narrow neck  778 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 8A-B , each outer panel insert  860  has a body having a relatively wide head  862  and a relatively narrow neck  868 . Each insert  860  has a pair of opposite facing ears  864  extending from the head  862 . Each outer panel notch  870  defines a relatively wide head  874  and a relatively narrow neck  878 . The top and bottom notches terminate along the top and bottom edges of the outer panel  800 , respectively. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , the hinge edges  760 ,  770  ( FIGS. 7A-B ) and  860 ,  870  ( FIGS. 8A-B ) mesh so as to form a hinge  510  ( FIGS. 5A-D ). In particular, the insert ears  764  of the inner panel  700  are wider than the notch heads  874  of the outer panel  800  so that the ears  764  are captured behind the heads  874 . Similarly, the insert ears  864  of the outer panel  800  are wider than the notch heads  774  of the inner panel  700  so that the ears  864  are captured behind the heads  774 . Also, the panel ears  764 ,  864  interlock so as to hold the hinge  510  ( FIGS. 5A-D ) in place. The panels  700 ,  800  are constructed of sufficiently stiff material so that the hinge, once meshed, remains meshed during normal operation of folding and unfolding the panels. Further, the panels  700 ,  800  are constructed of sufficiently flexible material so that the panels, if so intended, can be easily separated or meshed together. Hence, the hinge  510  ( FIGS. 5A-D ) is advantageously configured and constructed so as be easy to manufacture and from individual panels, providing a flat surface that is easy to print. Also, the hinge  510  ( FIGS. 5A-D ) is advantageously easy to assemble from the individual panels and yet retain the hinge integrity during use. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 9-10  illustrate another notebook divider embodiment having an inner panel  900  ( FIGS. 9A-B ) and a outer panel  1000  ( FIGS. 10A-B ). The panels  900 ,  1000  attach along a serrated edge to form a hinge, as described with respect to  FIGS. 5 ,  7 - 8 , above. The notebook divider  900 ,  1000  is adapted for a (smaller) 5.5″×8.5″ notebook but is otherwise comparable to the notebook divider  500  ( FIGS. 5 ,  7 - 8 ) described above. 
         [0044]    A strategic planner has been disclosed in detail in connection with various embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed by way of examples only and are not to limit the scope of the claims that follow. One of ordinary skill in art will appreciate many variations and modifications.