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The Father of Strategic Planning

"Planning is the CEO's top priority."

By Dean OdlePublished 3 years ago 3 min read

Patrick J. Below is a well-known consultant and author in the field of strategic and operational planning. He is commonly referred to as the "Father of Strategic Planning" and recognized for his expertise in helping organizations to achieve their goals through effective planning and implementation. With over 25 years of experience in the corporate world and 45 years consulting companies from start-up to large corporations, he has developed a unique perspective on the challenges that executives face and the strategies that are required to overcome them. Below is famous for insisting a CEO's main job and top priority is planning and keeping the organization and employees focused on and accountable to the strategic plan. He is also adamant that all plans must be reviewed regularly and re-planning is required to keep ahead of an ever changing environment and market conditions.

Below has written several books on these topics, including "The Executive Guide to Strategic Planning", "The Executive Guide to Operational Planning" and "The CEO Challenge". These books have been well received by executives, managers and business owners alike, and they are considered must-reads for anyone looking to improve their organizational performance.

In "The Executive Guide to Strategic Planning", Below lays out a comprehensive framework for planning and executing a successful strategic plan. He covers key topics such as understanding your organization's vision and mission, defining your business model, performing a SWOT analysis, setting achievable goals and objectives, and developing a plan to achieve them. He also provides practical advice on how to engage your employees and stakeholders in the planning process, how to monitor and evaluate your progress, and how to make course corrections along the way. Additionally, Below introduces his Integrated Planning Process which is a comprehensive system that includes strategic planning, operational planning, and performance management. At the time of publication, these concepts particularly performance management were very innovative and contributed to the Objectives and Key Results or OKR methodology utilized by several major companies including Microsoft and Amazon.

"The Executive Guide to Operational Planning" is a practical guide to planning and executing day-to-day operations. Below covers the key elements of effective operational planning, including defining your target market, understanding your customer needs, developing processes to meet those needs, and measuring your success. He also provides insights into managing resources, aligning your operational plan with your strategic plan, and overcoming common operational challenges. The operational plan of a company should reflect the year-by-year "how to" plan for achieving thee Strategic Plan visions and strategic objectives.

In "The CEO Challenge", Below shares his insights into the unique challenges that CEOs face, and the strategies they can use to overcome them. He covers topics such as leading change, building a high-performing team, developing a culture of innovation, and balancing short-term and long-term goals. He also provides practical advice on how to manage risk, make tough decisions, and create a legacy that will last long after you leave the organization.

Aside from writing books, Below also provides consulting services to organizations looking to improve their planning and implementation processes. He has worked with a wide range of organizations, from start-ups to large multinational corporations, and he has a proven track record of success. He is known for his ability to work closely with executives and their teams, and for his ability to help them identify and overcome the challenges that are preventing them from achieving their goals.

In conclusion, Patrick J. Below is a leading consultant and author in the field of strategic and operational planning. With his expertise and practical experience, he has helped countless organizations to achieve their goals and to achieve greater success. Whether you are an executive, manager or business owner, his books and consulting services are a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their organizational performance.

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About the Creator

Dean Odle

Business consultant and entrepreneur.

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