Resources

Below are articles written by our team that have been published in BoardRoom Magazine and other industry publications. Sharing our industry knowledge is part of our mission. If you have questions, please contact us.

Board Expectations for Strategic Planning

Boardroom Magazine, by John R. "Jack" Sullivan, Jr., CCM

Today with most club boards of directors understanding the reality that a private club is a business and should be run like one, the use of strategic planning as an important business tool has become a common practice at the majority of clubs.

In fact, it is the opinion of many, that strategic planning is one of the most important duties of a private club board member. However, all too often, once a plan is developed, it may find an unfortunate home on a general manager’s, club president’s or strategic planning committee member’s shelf or computer.

So what should a board’s expectations be for the strategic planning process?…

Strategic Planning, a Plan or a Process?

Boardroom Magazine, by John R. "Jack" Sullivan, Jr., CCM

Strategic planning in the private club industry is a best practice that has long been used in corporate and other businesses. It determines who you are, what you do and who you do it for.

It is the road map for the club’s future, providing consistency in direction, particularly in an environment where those in leadership positions are continuously changing.

While 25 years ago, very few private club took advantage of this common business tool, today the majority of successful clubs have some form of a strategic plan. However, this is where the process is as important as the document…

Education and the Strategic Planning Process

by John R. "Jack" Sullivan, Jr., CCM

We consider the Strategic Planning Committee to be one of the most important committees in the Club. However, we often find that while those undertaking the strategic planning process are leaders within the organization (often the Board of Directors), many of those participants do not have a good grasp of the strategic planning process as it relates to a private club. Before you begin to develop a strategic plan at your club, it is critical that everyone involved fully understands the framework of the process. Several factors play a crucial role in the plan’s success. They are…

Strategic Planning in Private Clubs – Who Should Take Charge?

by John R. "Jack" Sullivan, Jr., CCM

Years ago at a CMAA World Conference educational session, participants were asked if their clubs had a strategic plan. The answer was less than ten percent! Fortunately when that question is asked today, the answer is often more than thirty-five percent and climbing. So what are club executives coming to realize that those in the other business world have known for some time; a strategic plan has the following characteristics…

Strategic Visioneering

by John R. "Jack" Sullivan, Jr., CCM

At a Florida meeting of more than 150 club management professionals, strategic planning in the club industry was discussed. It was agreed that as our economy strengthens, more clubs are considering the strategic planning process, or are dusting off their old plan and reevaluating their current strategy (even though this was just as important to do so during the downturn).

Strategic Planning is an organization’s process of defining its strategy or direction and making decisions and allocating resources to pursue this strategy including capital and people. Although many private clubs have a strategic plan, only about half of those review their plan annually…