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Now Available from Canadian Scholars' Press Inc.
Strategic Planning in Social Service Organizations
A Practical Guide
Gayla Rogers, Phd, Donna S. Finley, MBA and John R. Galloway, MBA
Social service organizations are under increasing pressure to strengthen the level of professional management. Reduced government funding, increasing number of service providers and growing societal demand for responsible, accountable and effective social services are causing these organizations to seek ways to enhance organizational effectiveness and service delivery. In particular, there is a need to strengthen management planning skills and knowledge and use of appropriate planning tools to succeed in an increasingly competitive and under-funded market.
While many professional management practices and techniques have been developed for and implemented in the corporate sector, few of these have been adequately adapted to the specific circumstances of the social service sector. This textbook introduces and demonstrates a systematic approach for undertaking effective strategic planning in this sector. Practical, field-tested frameworks and worksheets for improving an organization’s strategic and long-term focus, and enhancing the rigor of its decision-making supplement the material.
The purposes of this book are to assist social work/human service students and professionals:
- understand the relevance and benefits of strategic planning within the nonprofit sector
- understand the strategic planning process, expected outcomes and what is involved in undertaking a strategic planning initiative
- provide a practical guide for undertaking a strategic planning process as "informed implementers and consumers"
- demonstrate, by a consistent and practical example relevant to the social services sector, the application of the tools and methodologies discussed in the book.
This book is distinguished from others written on the same topic by its focus on a market-based approach to strategic planning. A market-based approach encourages an organization to examine the current and evolving needs of key stakeholders and develop segmentation based on these needs. From an understanding of the environment and the organization’s capabilities and desired strategic direction, the organization is able to identify which segments it can best serve given its limited resources. The organization’s effectiveness and impact is greatly enhanced by aligning the organization’s processes, practices and delivery mechanisms to priority segments.
Gayla Rogers is Dean and Professor of the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
Donna S. Finley is President of Framework Partners in Planning Inc.
John R. Galloway is Vice President of Framework Partners in Planning Inc.
Each book is $29.95* plus shipping and GST
($8.00 for the first book and $1.00 for each additional book shipping and handling)
*$24.95 US
