Sunday, April 3, 2016

Week 12 Reading Reflections

What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

The author talks about strategic planning like a republican talks about climate change.   Is it real? Maybe, research says it is but I’m not a scientist… Think I’m exaggerating?  Here is a quote from the section titled “The Value of Strategic Planning:”

Does strategic planning pay off? Research shows it does. A number of studies have focused on the impact of planning on entrepreneurial firms. These studies support the contention that strategic planning is of value to a venture. Most of the studies imply—if they do not directly state—that planning influences a venture’s survival. In one study of 70,000 failed firms, lack of planning was identified as a major cause of failure,

  •  Research shows it does?  How about YES… it does…


  • These studies support the contention… what’s the other contention?  That strategic planning is a waste of time?

  •  Most studies imply… what is that? I’ve never heard a study imply anything.  Either it says it or it doesn’t; it’s research not an episode of Two and a Half men…


Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I’m not entirely sure during the portion on the “Lack of Strategic Planning” why the author didn’t chastise a bit more those that would scale back strategic planning for the reasons portrayed.  Strategic planning and analytical insights are two of the most important factors in endeavoring on a new venture.  Yet the author came back with a “On the other hand, many benefits can be gained from such planning.”  As if to say it’s good but if your time is really too scarce then it isn’t pivotal.  It’s Pivotal!! 

If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

Is it extremely necessary to have as complex of a diagram for the strategic management process? I’m not asking for the silver bullet but the reality is that the process is either twice as complicated as that in the “weeds” of it or half as complicated as that at the “forest” level.  Otherwise I’m still on strike from asking questions.  Seriously there isn’t one TA that’s answered a question yet… this is getting crazy. 

Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I’m not a huge fan of this chapter.  It should have been a major component.  After all if nothing else hasn’t this entire entrepreneurial class been about setting up a strategic plan for our ventures?  How do we sell it? Who do we sell it to? What are the competitors?  Yet this chapter is now backing off one of the largest portions of a successful entrepreneur.  Do you think companies like Amazon, Facebook, Apple, or Google made it a day without a strategic plan? 



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