Looking back to look forward: “Chicken little redux” or strategic lessons learned

Issue title: NFAIS Miles Conrad Memorial Lectures

Subtitle: 2001 Miles Conrad Memorial Lecture, February 27, 2001

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hunter, Karen

Affiliations: Senior Vice President, Strategy, Elsevier Science, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010, USA

Abstract: In many organizations “strategic planning” is an annual exercise that results in a document reviewed once and then essentially forgotten. However, strategic planning should be the process of setting priorities and of creating the framework for decision making about where to invest resources, at what level and with what urgency. The process itself should include periodic assessment of the quality of the decisions made and their implementation. Looking back at 25 years of strategic planning with a major STM publisher, this paper provides an informal and highly personal reflection on some of the lessons learned. Emphasis is given to newbusiness ventures and models. It also includes broad recommendations on ways to approach planning and management for future development.

DOI: 10.3233/ISU-2004-24104

Journal: Information Services & Use, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 27-37, 2004