It seems that no matter how many hours we put into work, we can barely keep up with the ongoing demands and occasional crises, let alone set aside time for strategic thinking. All too often, we find ourselves doing what is urgent, rather than what is truly important. Maybe you do put together a marketing plan from time to time. Or perhaps your organization goes off on a retreat and creates a strategic plan. All too often, strategic planning is little more than a feel good exercise.
People get out of their offices and spend time doing team-building and visioning exercises.
While this may improve rapport and produce benefits for your company, these benefits are often short-lived. Committed to making changes in your organization or practices, you are once again swept up in the day to day work world. In a matter of weeks, the plan and your best intentions are forgotten. Through a carefully facilitated process, the MAP will provide you with the direction you need to make immediate improvements in your organization, products, processes, and strategy. A Market Action Plan or MAP is a facilitated action planning process that normally occurs over 16 to 20 hours during two to three days.