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Avoid Bogging Down
Medical group governing Boards often get mired down while addressing important group issues or trying to make decisions. They also have a tendency to micro-manage rather than govern. Following are some ways to overcome these challenges. Send It To Committee We will discuss committees and how to make them effective in more detail in a more…
Moving Towards Strategic Goals
I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, — but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor. — Oliver Wendell Holmes more…
Is Strategic Planning for Integrated Groups an Oxymoron?
When developing a strategic plan, every medical group faces constraints. In some cases the constraints are externally driven (e.g., a dominate payor or hospital in the region), and in other cases the constraints relate to internal issues (such as lack of resources to accomplish goals). Integrated Groups (those groups that are part of an integrated health more…
Strategic Planning for Larger Groups
Once a group grows to a certain size (say 25-30 physicians) it becomes increasingly difficult to conduct a planning retreat that meets the following criteria: All physicians attend the retreat. There is an in-depth and complete discussion of the important issues. The problem is group process – with 50 people in the room it is more…
Strategic Planning – After the Retreat
Once the retreat is over you’re done, right? Well, only if you want to get only ½ of the benefit from a planning process. Here are several other steps to get the most benefits. Report The work done and decisions made at the retreat should be documented in a report. It is important to do more…
Strategic Planning – Prioritizing Objectives and Strategies
Two of the toughest tasks in a planning retreat are: Making decisions as to which way to go when all do not agree. Agreeing on the priorities of objectives and strategies developed. Deciding on Initiatives At most retreats the participants identify a number of options, alternatives or solutions to deal with the challenges identified more…
Strategic Planning – At the Retreat
Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. — William Jennings Bryan The Retreat The big day for the strategic planning retreat is finally here. You’ve made sure all the participants will attend. You more…
Strategic Planning- Preparing for Success – Part 3 of 3
Let’s continue our discussion of the “nuts and bolts” of how your medical group can conduct a Strategic Planning Process by focusing on the meeting agenda, other necessary arrangements and pre-retreat communication. Agenda Once the preceding steps have been taken it is time to put together the agenda for the meeting. Your agenda might look more…
Strategic Planning-Preparing for Success – Part 2 of 3
Let’s continue our discussion of the “nuts and bolts” of how your medical group can conduct a Strategic Planning Process by considering the retreat facilitator, the data and information that needs to be pulled together to support planning process, and the Key Issues to be discussed at the retreat. Retreat Facilitator The group needs to more…
Strategic Planning- Preparing for Success – Part 1 of 3
In the last several articles we have discussed why all medical groups should conduct strategic planning processes and the 6 steps for developing a strategic plan: Developing Mission and Vision statements for the group. Identifying internal Strengths and Weaknesses and external Opportunities and Threats. Discussing Key Issues. Developing Objectives. Developing Strategies to achieve those Objectives. more…
Strategic Planning – Objectives and Strategies
A vision without a task is but a dream, a task without a vision is drudgery, a vision and a task are the hope of the world. – From a church in Sussex, England, ca. 1730 In a previous articles we addressed setting group Mission and Vision, and identifying Key Issues that need to be addressed more…
Strategic Planning – SWOT and Key Issues
Once you have developed the group’s Mission and Vision statements, it is time to identify the important issues that need to be addressed in the planning process. The first step in that effort is to conduct a SWOT Analysis. SWOT “SWOT’ stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. As part of the strategic planning process, more…