Strategic Planning & Accountability Go Hand-In-Hand

As strategy planning is just around the corner (if not already here), do you find yourself digging out your 2010 Strategic Plan to see what you have accomplished, or is your strategic plan routinely referenced to ensure your strategic objectives are being met?

If your strategic plan is dusty or even hard to find and you are wondering why ½ of the tactics are not yet implemented, there clearly may have been a breakdown in accountability and follow-through. Strategic Plans fail all too often because leadership does not hold employees accountable.

Accountability and follow-through are imperative in making your strategic plan a living, breathing document that truly guides your organization to fulfill your vision. To transform your organization through the strategic plan, leadership must build and sustain personal accountability starting with management and continuing through to frontline employees. The process is simple, but it makes a world of difference…simply determine who is responsible by when, set priorities for each person, and monitor progress.

This year, when you begin the Strategic Planning Process, assign accountability to the strategic objectives and then monitor your plan on a regular basis. Plans are monitored on a regular basis help to ensure personal accountability and organizational progress.

What’s the Internet Saying About You?

It’s no surprise that one of the first places consumers go to get information about your financial institution is an Internet search engine, but do you know what they are finding?

If you haven’t searched your financial institution in awhile, it's time. Searching your financial institution on Google, Yahoo, Bing and other popular search engines should be a regular step in managing your reputation. Also, it's important to search more than just the name of your financial institution. Keep in mind that when consumers are searching your financial institution, they’ll poke around for information on your services, locations, staff, and even complaints.

When searching your financial institution, it's the first page of results that's most important. Click each link on the first page to understand how your financial institution is being presented on the web. Results will vary:

• If you find only your website and great praise… congratulations and keep up the good work! 


• If you find only your company website… expand your presence by submitting press releases or getting your social media noticed.
• If you find negative comments… do something about it. 
If possible, take it down or move the negative content down the list by adding positive content. 

• If you don’t find your bank… look into Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which can get your financial institution to the top of the list.

You can also take it one step further and set up your search as an alert. A search engine alert will send you automatic updates and keep you informed of current search results about your financial institution.

Best,

Jamie