Leading the Strategic Planning Process - Club Managers ...

Exhibit 1 The Club Strategic Planning PyramidLeading the Strategic Planning Process 115Club Strategic PlanningResponsibility of board of governorsand GM/COOFunctional Strategic PlanningResponsibility of functionaldepartment heads (i.e., marketing,finance, IT, HR)Operations Strategic PlanningResponsibility of operationsdepartment heads (i.e., F&B,sports professionals)as marketing, finance, information technology, and human resources—usuallytake the lead in creating functional strategic plans (in conjunction withthe GM/COO). The primary planning issues include creating departmentalstrategies and initiatives to support the club’s overall strategic plan and to createand achieve departmental performance goals and objectives.• Operations strategic planning: The operations department heads—typicallyrepresented by the food and beverage director and the heads of the varioussports areas at the club (golf, tennis, swim, fitness, equestrian, etc.)—usuallytake the lead in operational strategic planning (again, in conjunctionwith the GM/COO). Primary planning issues include creating departmentspecificstrategies aimed at supporting the club’s strategic plan and creatingand achieving departmental performance goals and objectives.This chapter has been written under the assumption that no formal strategicinitiative exists at a particular club. Thus, the chapter is organized chronologically:GM/COOs and students can follow along, step-by-step, to see how anorganized and integrated strategic plan for clubs is put together. Realistically,however, the overwhelming majority of clubs will have at least some elements ofa strategic plan in place. In these cases, GM/COOs can look at the chapter moregenerally, to see the relationships among and general order of the strategic planningelements. While the individual elements work best in the order and mannerspecified, they can also serve supplemental functions alongside a given club’scurrent practices. In short, this chapter works as well for existing clubs seeking