Realize that the younger generations at work will read, respond to, and engage in a dynamic plan much more so than an old-fashioned static document. This is similar to what happened in many marketing departments. In the past, companies would blast their commercials to the masses in a one-way, static, informing way and hope that people reacted to it. But marketing is shifting with interactive media. Today’s companies are trying harder to engage the customer and get them involved. In that same way, we need to engage our employees at all levels rather than just statically inform them. Fortunately, the tools to do so are there, and the CIO knows what they are.
But this isn’t just about the younger workers who have shorter attention spans and who expect a dynamic strategic plan. The Baby Boomers and older workers running the companies are drowning in information yet searching for knowledge and wisdom. Most of them don’t have time to read long and static strategic plans. They, too, need dynamic plans in order to cut through the clutter and become engaged. Because the CEO and other C-suite executives don’t know what’s possible, they’ll never ask for a dynamic strategic plan. This task rests solely on the shoulders of the CIO.
With the rapid pace of change, the traditional static planning system is a dinosaur. Most people do it only because they have to. Now is the time to redefine what a strategic plan is — for the organization, for the employees, and for the limitless opportunities such a plan affords everyone involved.
Daniel Burrus is considered one of the world’s leading technology forecasters and business strategists, and is the founder and CEO of Burrus Research, a research and consulting firm that monitors global advancements in technology driven trends to help clients better understand how technological, social and business forces are converging to create enormous, untapped opportunities. He is the author of six books, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal best seller Flash Foresight: How To See the Invisible and Do the Impossible as well as the highly acclaimed Technotrends.