Case Study

Strategic Planning Process Consultation

Introduction

An organisation providing key services, primarily for seniors, engaged a consultant to support the development of its strategic planning process. To enhance this process, BlueSalt Consulting was brought in to conduct an independent assessment of stakeholder perceptions regarding the organisation’s performance and reputation. The goal was to gather insights into stakeholder experiences and expectations to inform the organisation’s strategic direction.

Situation

As a key service provider, the organisation sought to ensure its strategic planning was well-informed by the perspectives of both service users and strategic stakeholders. Recognising the value of diverse feedback, leadership aimed to better understand strengths and identify areas for improvement. To achieve this, a structured consultation process was required to gather qualitative insights from stakeholders.

Solution

Working closely with the consultant overseeing the strategic planning process, BlueSalt Consulting designed and implemented a targeted consultation plan. This plan involved two key components:

Engagement with Service Users: Conducted telephone interviews with 30 randomly selected service users, focusing on their experiences with the organisation’s services and their perceptions of strengths and areas for improvement.

Engagement with Strategic Stakeholders: Held 23 video call meetings with CEOs and director-level representatives from relevant government agencies and sector organisations. Discussions focused on strategic alignment, partnerships, and opportunities to enhance the organisation’s role in the sector.

Outcome

The consultation process resulted in a de-identified summary report outlining key findings and recommendations, including:

Recognition of key strengths, such as the organisation’s commitment to supporting seniors and delivering impactful services.
Identification of specific stakeholder concerns, with actionable insights to address these areas.

This report served as a valuable input into the organisation’s strategic planning process, ensuring informed decision-making aligned with stakeholder expectations and priorities.