title: Strategic Planning: A Practical Primer for the Healthcare Provider: Part I.
abstract: Entrepreneurs are known for opportunity recognition--that is, "How can I start a business to make money from this opportunity?" However, once a commercial entity is formed to take advantage of an opportunity, the leadership priority shifts from entrepreneurial to strategic. A strategic perspective leverages limited resources to position a business for future success relative to rivals in a competitive environment. Often, the talents needed for one priority are not the same as those needed for the other. This article, the first part of a two-part article, intends to simplify the transition from an entrepreneurial to a strategic focus. It walks an entrepreneur through the strategic management planning process using a fictional business. The various tasks in the process (i.e., mission, vision, internal analysis, external analysis) are illustrated with examples from a typical primary physician's private practice. The examples show how the strategic management tasks are interrelated and ultimately lead to a philosophical approach to managing a business.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: Erich N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Brockmann
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lacho
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010934:Planning Techniques; D011216:Practice Management, Medical