Hooray! The election season is finally done. The holidays are
close behind, and 2013 is just around the corner. And yet a good
many companies still don't have a formal strategic plan on the
books. Many don't even have a meeting scheduled before the end
of the year to create a strategic plan and align their team.
Often executives will manage for the current quarter with little
consideration for three to five year objectives or even a one
year plan.  Sadly, as the executives of these companies try to
navigate uncertain times, they will wonder the following:  Why
aren't we hitting our goals?  Why aren't we all on the same
page?  Why can't our people execute without having to ask
questions at every turn?  Why aren't we more prepared?  The
answer is simple... procrastination. That sounds harsh but those
of you regularly reading this magazine and website have seen
plenty of material about the value of long term strategy. You
have heard experts such as Collins and Peters, tout the benefits
of long term strategic pla