HOLOMUA Volume 26 Issue 9

The Power of Strategic Planning

As a company, it’s important to step back regularly and take a broader view so we don’t lose sight of the bigger picture, miss emerging risks, or overlook new opportunities.

To FICOH’s credit, strategic planning has long been a cornerstone of how we operate at the executive and officer level. Each year, our Annual Planning Session (APS) gives us the space to focus on FICOH’s short -, mid-, and long-term future. Holding the session off-site helps us step away from daily operations and fully engage in forward-thinking discussions. Preparation for APS begins months in advance. Under the guidance of Lance Kawano, Ken Kamoda (AVP, Strategic Planning), and Jun Wada (Manager, Strategic Planning), the Senior Leadership Team carefully vets and selects topics. Officers are then assigned to develop presentations that frame and guide our conversations at the off-site.

“ Over the years, our approach to annual planning has evolved. What was once a ‘ blue sky ’ brainstorming session, often generating 20 to 30 ideas with limited follow - through, has become a more focused and disciplined process. ”

Over the years, our approach to annual planning has evolved. What was once a “blue sky” brainstorming session, often generating 20 to 30 ideas with limited follow-through, has become a more focused and disciplined process. Today, we prioritize quality over quantity. We aim for a manageable list of actionable outcomes, grounded in feasibility and aligned with our strategic goals. Many of these initiatives require little to no IT programming, making them easier to implement and track.

I was very pleased with the energy and thoughtfulness everyone brought to the table at this year’s APS in late August. Thanks to thorough pre-work and strong participation from our officer team, we had rich, productive discussions.

For a full recap of this year’s session, please see page 5.