Strategic and Business Planning

The following services are provided by St Lawrence & Associates Consulting Services. If you require assistance for a related service that is not listed, please contact us as we may be able to help out, even if it’s a referral to an associated business. Additional services can be accessed from the navigation bar on the left.

However, if you are a Northern Rivers based business that has received business assistance from NORBEC, St Lawrence & Associates is unable to provide these services due to a real or perceived conflict of interest. Local government, community based and not-for-profit organisations in the Northern Rivers remain eligible.

Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning is undertaken by businesses and organisations to ensure they are operating at maximum performance. It is critical to effective management and clearly defines the purpose of the entity and identifies the Critical Strategic Themes of action, and the goals and actions required to achieve the organisation's vision and mission.
The strategic planning process focuses on four main stages:

  • Who are we & where are we now? (Current situation)
  • Where do we want to go & who do we want to be? (Vision )
  • What do we have to do to get there? (Drivers)
  • How do we monitor our progress?

During the planning process the critical success factors and the barriers to achieving success will be identified whilst taking a 360 degree analysis of the business. This involves the four segments of: clients/customers; learning & development; internal business processes; and legal & financial obligations.

The Critical Strategic Themes group the main activities that must be pursued for optimum performance and will be used to provide a summary one page Strategic Plan that highlights the outcomes to be achieved within time frames.

Project & Client Examples

  • Valley Vision 2020 the corporate strategic plan for the Clarence Valley Council January - July 2008.   Valley Vision 2020 1.90 Mb

  • Strategic Plan for the Grafton Community College, 2008

  • Aboriginal Employment Strategy for Clarence Valley Council, 2008

  • Development of the Clarence Valley Conservatorium Inc Strategic Plan 2007—2010.

  • Development and facilitation of a 3 year Strategic Plan, Marketing Plan, Business Plan & MOU with Clarence Valley Councils for the Clarence River Tourism Association Inc. December 2002 – February 2004.

  • Review & Update of the Grafton Community Economic Development Strategic Plan for the Clarence Valley Council – November/December 2005.

  • Facilitation of Strategic Planning session of the Clarence Valley Council’s Senior Executive Group – July 2005.

  • Provision of a refresher session on corporate strategic planning processes for Greater Taree City Council. March 2004.

  • Training Workshop to assist with the development of the Strategic Plan for Murwillumbah Community Support Centre Inc. July 2003.

  • Community Management & Strategic Planning Training Workshop for Bellingen Neighbourhood Centre. January 2003.

Business Planning

We will work with you to develop a Business Plan that clearly sets out a description of your business or organisation including its legal structure, management & personnel, location, buildings & equipment, services and products, appraisal of the competition, and marketing, financial, strategic and operational plans.

A Business Plan is developed at the commencement, expansion or change of direction of the business or organisation. It is an absolute necessity if you are approaching a financial institution to raise capital. It demonstrates your understanding of the industry and how your business will operate within it, and of course how you will generate cash flow and profit.

In developing the Plan the many components that contribute to a successful business or organisation are explored and the actions & timeframe required to achieve the desired outcomes are documented.

In some cases the undertaking of business planning indicates that the proposal is not feasible. How much better it is if the disappointment happens at that point, rather than with a failed business.

The confidentiality of clients is respected by not listing on the web site.

What’s the Difference?

Strategic Plans tend to operate at a higher organisational level and set direction for an entity. Organisational Divisions may develop a Business or Operational Plan with a shorter timeframe to achieve the Strategic Plan goals. However some Business Plans also function as a Strategic Plan particularly in smaller organisations.