Agricultural Marketing - Objections to Planning

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Objections to Planning

"Objections To Planning"

Dr. John L. Ward of Loyola University is one of the leading authorities on family business. He stresses the critical importance of strategic planning for growing firms that desire to continue through future generations. However, business owners have continual "objections" to the planning process. Here are some of those objections with responses to each.

(Please note: for those choosing the text only version of this web page the table below will not readily convert to text only. There are 2 columns, 1st column is the "Objection", 2nd column is the "Response". The columns will display as sentences, one after the other.)

Objection	Response
Planning is a "straitjacket" that limits flexibility.	Planning expands options and the ability to respond to change.
Too many uncertainties make planning impossible.	Planning generates more information and reduces uncertainty through better understanding.
Planning requires sharing sensitive information with others.	Planning motivates employees, increases the ability of the organization to understand how the business performs, and reduces unconstructive guessing as to what is going on.
Planning makes owners "go public" with ideas and prohibits them from changing their mind.	Planning allows others to better understand the need for change; "going public" increases the organization's ability to reach its goal.
Planning implies change from the comfortable (and Successful) to the uncomfortable (and unknown)	Planning anticipates inevitable change and better implements required change.
Planning often increases "focus" on certain markets at the expense of a broader strategy.	Planning helps conserve valuable resources.
Planning suggests changes that may "cannibalize" past success.	Planning suggests options to minimize that possibility while encouraging the business to compete.
Planning identifies changes that require moving managers beyond their current skills; therefore, it increases their dependence on others who can contribute or teach those skills	Planning helps perpetuate the institution beyond the lives of key managers.
Planning challenges business assumptions that contribute to clarity, consistency, and effectiveness.	Planning confirms many assumptions while addressing those that must change with the times.

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Last modified Saturday, August 13, 2005 11:13
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