Elate

🚨 Project Management ≠ Strategic Planning 🚨 Too often, we see organizations blur the lines between project management and strategic planning. While both are crucial, they serve different purposes—and confusing them can lead to a cluttered, siloed approach that lacks true business impact. 💼 Project Management: It's about tasks, milestones, and getting from point A to point B. Focused and action-oriented, but sometimes too granular when viewed through a strategic lens. 🎯 Strategic Planning: This is your big-picture vision. It's cross-functional and long-term, aligning teams across the company. When we mistake project tasks for strategy, we end up with long lists of objectives—but without real clarity on what success looks like. As Abby Parker shares, the key is bringing these two together in a way that makes sense. Keeping them distinct but connected ensures you understand not just what you're doing, but how it's impacting your business. 📊 The goal? Clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and the ability to pivot if things aren't going as planned. As we focus on 2025, let’s stop checking off boxes and start achieving meaningful results. #strategicplanning #projectmanagement #strategysnack

This time of year we get to work with countless Strategy and Operations Leaders as they try to ensure delivery on 2024 Strategy, while looking towards 2025 Planning. Yet, one of the biggest challenges is how to uncover unseen risk in their strategy. Both while the Plan is in motion, as well as when it is being built. Organizations build these massive, audacious plans—often scattered across different formats with lagging data—and spotting risks before they become costly setbacks feels nearly impossible for most. This challenge is something we've been thinking about at Elate since we built the company. How can we surface these risks for Strategy and Operations leaders before it’s too late? And more importantly, how can we empower leaders to take action on those risks to keep moving forward? Well, I’m *elated* to share that we’ve come up with a solution: Insights. Set to be released at the end of October, Insights will automatically surface potential risks, giving leaders the ability to see around corners, avoid costly setbacks, and take action when it matters most. Next Tuesday, we’re hosting a sneak-peak into the release of Insights. For those Strategy and Operations Leaders interested, we'd love to have you join us to see what our team will be rolling out in a few weeks. You can find the registration details on the Elate LinkedIn page or the comments below!

The previous edition of The Pulse—Why 2025 Planning Must Be a Priority—seemed to strike a chord! 💭 It generated the most responses we've seen to date. Among all the questions, one stood out: “Do you have examples of companies doing this well?” So in Edition 32, we’re switching things up and bringing you exactly that—real examples from a company practicing and executing strategic planning at a world-class level. Thank you to HEAPY for sharing your story! Welcome to The Pulse.

Back with some more Themes... ✨ Themes act as the conduit between a visionary CEO's big ideas and the tactical execution by the entire organization. They bridge the gap between high-level strategy and actionable steps, helping employees connect their work to the broader company goals. Brooks Busch shares how these focused Themes help align the entire organization and turn visionary energy into meaningful outcomes. #strategysnacks

Strategic plans are complex, and identifying your biggest risks has always been a challenge—until now. 💥 Join us next Tuesday, October 15th at 2 PM EST as we introduce Insights—a powerful new feature designed to help Strategy and Operations Leaders maximize their plan’s potential. Insights automatically surfaces risks, enabling you to make timely adjustments to stay on track and hit your operating plan. This is a great opportunity if you’re: ➡ A current customer wanting an in-depth look at what’s coming to Elate in the next few weeks ➡ Considering Elate and want a commitment-free look at the software ➡ Currently using a tool similar to Elate but curious about what else is out there ➡ A Strategy and Operations Leader looking to level up your skills and learn best practices as we head into 2025 planning season Can't make it? Register and we'll send over the recording so you can watch at your convenience. Learn more below.

Let’s talk about Themes. Last week, we covered Operating Metrics and Mission/Vision/Values, so today we’re diving a layer deeper into the strategic planning framework. What are Themes? 🤔 As Jacey Liechty puts it perfectly, Themes are the categories or buckets that capture your top priorities for the year, giving meaning to the work ahead. Think of them as the glue or connective tissue between the operating plan you’re setting out to achieve and how you’re going to get there. How do you define Themes at your organization?

Were we planning on posting Strategy Snacks three days in a row? Not really, but there seems to be an appetite, so we're going to keep it rolling. Today, we're discussing the differences between long-term vision and long-term strategy—and how they play into each other. #strategicplanning #strategyexecution #planningseason

Let's start at the top. Where do Mission, Vision, and Values fit into the strategic planning framework? Often, when rolling out a plan, leaders tend to overlook these foundational elements. But as you’ve probably guessed, they matter—a lot. In fact, they are critical components of any effective strategy. Jacey Liechty explains why in today's Strategy Snack. 🍪 #strategicplanning #strategyexecution

One of the most common gaps we see in strategic planning is the disconnect between an organization’s strategy and its operating plan. 🚫 But the two should always go hand-in-hand. Brooks Busch explains why below. By the way, over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing bite-sized strategy tips to help you sharpen your focus and get the most out of your strategic planning process during 2025 planning season. #strategicplanning #strategysnacks #strategyexecution

It’s no secret—there's a lot of uncertainty in the air right now. Market dynamics are shifting, and like most election years, unpredictability is at an all-time high, making it tough to plan for what’s ahead. If you’re feeling uneasy about the market or unclear on your organization’s direction, chances are, your employees are too. But this presents a unique opportunity for Strategy and Operations Leaders as we head into planning season. Edition 31 dives into this opportunity and shares how to seize it. It’s certainly worth a read. Welcome to The Pulse. #strategicplanning #planningseason #strategyexecution #okrs