Strategic planning is the backbone of a successful business, big or small. Knowing where you want to go and having a plan to get there is fundamental to success. Without a strategic plan you will constantly find yourself forced into "reactive" mode, fighting fires instead of getting on with achieving your ambitions.

Where do you begin? What does "strategic planning" look like in a small business? Join me in answering these and other questions, with answers that will equip you to "Do It Yourself" and organize your own strategic planning process.

I’ve got skills and experience in planning strategic meetings for small organizations, and I want to pass them on to you. By attending this workshop, you’ll learn my Super Seven Rules for strategic planning, which you can put into practice for your own business. You'll also learn about effectively using strategic planning tools like the SWOT Analysis, and get a preview of my new DIY Niche Marketing Plan model.

Come and join me for a lunch at the Victoria Executive Centre and find out how you can "Do It Yourself" and build a great strategic plan!

Susan Low - Principal Consultant, Directis Consulting

Susan Low is the founder and principal consultant of Directis Consulting Group, which was started in 2003 in Vancouver, BC. Susan has fifteen years of diverse professional experience in business communications, process improvement and facilitation.

Susan’s expertise lies in the areas of strategic planning, business analysis and facilitation. Clients have called her “dynamic, creative, organized and approachable” and noted her ability to learn the nuances of a new business or industry rapidly.

Aside from her consulting work with Directis Consulting Group, Susan is a term instructor in the School of Business at Camosun College, and writes monthly columns on small business for the Canadian Immigrant Magazine. Volunteering is a strong part of her personal values which she demonstrates by providing strategic planning and facilitation to non-profit organizations through her role as a Community Advisor for the Victoria Foundation.

Susan earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Calgary in 2002. Prior to that she started, built and sold a web design company (Phoenix Communications) and worked in a variety of freelance positions in quality management documentation and policy development. Her undergraduate degree was a BA in English and Professional Writing from UVic.

Susan was born and raised in Victoria, BC where she now lives with her husband, son and two cats. She is a competitive rower with the Gorge Rowing Club and recently competed at the World Masters Games in Sydney, Australia, placing in the top 20 in her age class in the single sculls. When not working, parenting or rowing, Susan enjoys blogging, sewing and reading.