Tools for Living Well Toolkit - Canadian Association of Occupational ...

Program Tools
Program Tool 4: Strategic planning
exercise
Instructions
Step 1: List the 5 top rated businesses in each category.
Step 2: For each business, note the strengths from the “Setting Priorities” exercise and other information
that the team knows about the business.
Step 3: Plan on a strategy for each approach. The strategy should outline not only who might be best
suited to approach the business, but also the business case that is most likely to be successful in the
approach.
Example of strategic planning exercise with retailers
The “Old Time Hardware Store”, as we saw earlier, has been identified as a business to target in your
community. They offer senior discounts every Tuesday, are situated close to seniors’ residences, and
one of your volunteers, Joe, knows the owners, at least casually. In addition, Joe used to work in retail,
so appreciates how busy and unpredictable the retail industry can be.
The “Average Mall Pharmacy” is also a priority rated store. They already handle canes and a small
number of other assistive devices not related to fall prevention. None of your team knows the owners,
but they routinely offer senior discounts.
Business Relevant information Strategic Approach
The Old Time
Hardware
Store
Average Mall
Pharmacy
Senior Friendly Tuesdays
Closely situated to seniors
housing
Offer seniors discounts
Carry canes but not bathtub
bars, benches and mats or
hip protectors
No contacts
Emphasis will be on the large market that they
service and the impact it could have on the well-being
of many seniors.
Offer some displays and suggest that you may be
able to staff a display on one of the Senior Tuesdays.
Someone in your group knows the manager, and will
make a phone call introducing you.
The approach will emphasize that there are many
other types of assistive devices that they could carry
to increase their market share.
Tools for Living Well
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