Like many people I have a SatNav and to be perfectly honest, I think it’s saved my marriage!

Gone are the days when we argue with each other about the route – now we argue with the woman on the SatNav.

It’s such a simple concept really. Decide where you want to go, give a clear indication of the destination to the person charged with getting you there and let them decide how to do it.

As an analogy for strategic thinking in the workplace, it’s a great one.

But as anyone that has used a SatNav knows, there are pitfalls!

Have you ever ended up somewhere you didn’t intend with the voice from the SatNav proclaiming

You have reached your destination

and you thinking, no I haven’t – or words to that effect?

When that’s happened to me I’ve discovered that it can be one of a number of things that translate quite well to strategic vision:

1. The place I thought I was going wasn’t the place I really wanted to go to. So getting the right vision is obviously a very important first step.

2. I might have inadvertently entered the wrong postcode. So getting the vision clear and accurate when you pass it on is step two.

3. The SatNav has a different interpretation of the postcode than me or the post office. Bugs can creep into even the most sophisticated systems. Lesson three, therefore, is to ensure that the other person’s understanding of the vision is the same as yours.

Where my analogy breaks down is that people aren’t machines. The SatNav lady is unlikely to decide to do something else instead of directing me to my destination. People on the other hand will; so if you want them to deliver on a vision, inspiration is crucial.

On our strategic planning course we look at how to develop a clear vision, communicate it to others and inspire them to deliver.

If you’d like to join us, the postcode is EC1N 7SU – do find us!