(Seventh in a series of reflections relating to sustainable properties.)
The final article in our series brings us full circle to the beginning of this series with a topic of great importance: strategic asset planning. This sort of planning can really make or break a property in the long term. Some examples of these types of projects are probably pretty obvious and familiar to you, such as renovation, upgrades, additions, perhaps even gearing up to serve a new or different audience. At the beginning of this series it was stated that Lodgepole® began in 2001 with one main goal in mind: to help camps, conference centers, horse areas and similar outdoor properties to better manage their resources, thereby helping them thrive, grow and better serve their participants. Perhaps no other topic in this series of articles is more influential in determining your ability to achieve those very goals.
So that all sounds very pat on the written page, but then reality sets in and you ask: Where to begin? Strategic planning is a daunting task for most of us who are embroiled in the day-to-day myriad of tasks that need to be completed to run a safe and productive camp or retreat. One way to stay motivated and focused on this topic is to consider the time spent planning as an investment for the future. This is the kind of work that pays dividends in the future, even if there is a small opportunity cost in taking some time out of your busy, more task-oriented schedule. And speaking of those pesky tasks, proper long term planning can help protect you and your staff from burnout. A plan brings organization and a certain peace of mind to the whole staff, and sends the leadership message that you have your act together and are invested in the future of the property and the organization.
One of the simplest but most powerful tools in planning is the current state – future state analysis. This is just a fancy term for defining where you are today, where you want to be in the future, and an action plan to bridge the two states. It’s best to try to take egos out of the analysis. Most of us seem to want to project that we are a little better than we really are, but it is going to be difficult to get the results you want if an honest baseline is not established. There are templates and tools available to help do this. (For example, see the book, Outdoor Site and Facility Management, Wynne Whyman, Human Kinetics. Click on sidebar for more information)
Some words of wisdom from those who have gone before you. Be as specific as you can when doing your analysis and defining your action plan/projects. Set priorities, establish timeline goals that are reasonable and build 10-20% into time and cost margins. Establish one or two big, hairy audacious goals if you are up for it. A big stretch goal keeps everyone focused and inspired at the prospect of growth in an unexpected direction. (See my closing quote below to see how Ralph Waldo Emerson felt about this!) When making an action plan to reach those future states of grace, break the plan into bite-sized pieces and assign appropriate pieces to staff, even small bites to junior staff.
Recently we received some very positive feedback on the planning power of using Lodgepole® software. A camp owner in Michigan told us that because of its implementation, the organization was becoming proactive in its culture versus reactive, and had reduced overall stress levels of the managers and the team. This is high praise that we accept with humility. Many others have had similar experiences and this makes us very content, since we do what we do out of a love and passion for the outdoor experience.
We’re proud that we have been able to help many outdoor facilities grow and thrive, which is a life experience we see as a challenging but also a very exciting journey. Lodgepole® is committed making that journey with you.
More later and enjoy the kickoff to another active and outdoor summer!
– Eric Stromberg, Lodgepole Business Developer, eric@callippe.com
“The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature