Turning plans into action— A case study

This article focuses attention on the shorter term and on improving financial performance. The author puts forward familiar arguments that planning and action should be a continuous process involving line management and the major staff functions, the whole process directed by the Chief Executive.

The effectiveness of a Corporate Planning system is very much influenced by the extent to which it is seen to improve short term results and medium term potential for the business as a whole. The Corporate Plan should be conceived and used as a working document. The article illustrates how Simon Engineering set about meeting these criteria.