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Consulting / Non-Profit / Small Business / Strategic Planning

Why Your Strategic Plan Isn’t Working (and How to Fix It)

February 24, 2025

 

A strategic plan is meant to be a roadmap for your organization’s future. Too often, it turns into just another document gathering dust. If you’ve spent time crafting a strategic plan only to see little to no progress, you’re not alone. As a former non-profit executive, I’ve seen firsthand the most common reasons strategic plans fail – and more importantly, how to fix them. Let’s dive into those reasons.

1. Not Engaging Stakeholders

A strategic plan can’t succeed if it’s created in a vacuum. If leadership doesn’t engage staff, board members, and key partners in the planning process, the plan won’t work and it won’t raise any money for your organization.

2. Lack of Ownership

Even the best plan will fail if no one is responsible for making it happen. Assign clear responsibilities with deadlines.

3. Thinking Planning = Execution

Creating a strategic plan is only the first step. Execution requires discipline, resources, and leadership. Organizations that treat planning as a one-time event instead of an ongoing process probably won’t see see results. Regular check-ins, progress tracking, and adaptability are key.

4. Ignoring Communication

If leadership isn’t communicating the plan clearly and consistently, staff and stakeholders won’t know where the organization is headed. Make communication a priority by embedding the plan into regular meetings, updates, and decision-making processes.

5. Not Aligning Budget with Strategy

Your budget is a reflection of your priorities. If your strategic plan doesn’t align with financial resources, those priorities won’t get funded or done.

Ready to Create a Strategic Plan That Works?

If you’re tired of plans that don’t get implemented and want to start making real progress, let’s talk. I help non-profits and small businesses develop strategic plans that are actionable, effective, and designed for real execution. Schedule a complimentary 15-minute call to start the conversation.

And if you would like to see my most previous strategic planning work, head on over here.

About mkw+co

mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for small businesses and non-profits.

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  • On the blog this week: Donors are literally telling you what they need to stay engaged. Are you listening? 1️⃣ How to Communicate Donor Impact 2️⃣ How to Turn Donors into Social Media Ambassadors 🔗 Head to the link in bio and start giving your donors what they actually need. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for small businesses and nonprofits.
  • Nonprofits: Are you making fundraising harder than it needs to be? Your donors want to support you. They want to spread the word. They want to give again. But if they’re confused, uninspired, or out of the loop … they won’t. Let’s make it easy. DM me to get on the right track again. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
  • 🚨 Half of your donors are just waiting for an invite to be your biggest online cheerleaders. Maybe it’s time to ask them. 📣 WEIGH IN: Tag a nonprofit that does this really well! 📲 If you need help with your marketing strategy, drop a line or DM and we’ll get the conversation started. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for nonprofits and small businesses. (source: Nonprofit Tech for Good)
  • It was a pleasure to join so many fellow entrepreneurs at the @atlashouseinc event at @p30.indy last week. We talked about marketing basics — specifically how to make an impact with zero budget. Here’s the problem: too many small businesses and nonprofits struggle to get noticed because they think effective marketing requires big spending. In reality, success comes from knowing your audience, following industry leaders, and most importantly, engaging with your community. 💡 The good news: you don’t have to figure this out alone. mkw+co’s marketing coaching package will give you the strategy, tools, and confidence to market smarter, not harder. Let’s turn your audience into actual consumers and donors. 📲 Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Let’s build a strategy that works - and without the fluff. DM me to get started. 🌟 mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for nonprofits and small businesses.
  • Nonprofits and small businesses: You need actual support. Whether it’s strategy, leadership, marketing, or something else entirely, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Swipe through to see how we can work together, then let’s chat. 📩 DM me or leave a comment below to get the conversation started. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
  • Drop an emoji below if you get the bag reference. 🙋🏼‍♀️ For those of you who work from various places, you’re probably carrying around a mobile office in your bag too. 📣 WEIGH IN: what’s the one tech item you won’t leave home without? ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for small businesses and nonprofits. (Also, apologies to my mom who is probably embarrassed that I have a bag like this.)
On the blog this week: Donors are literally telling you what they need to stay engaged. Are you listening? 1️⃣ How to Communicate Donor Impact 2️⃣ How to Turn Donors into Social Media Ambassadors 🔗 Head to the link in bio and start giving your donors what they actually need. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for small businesses and nonprofits.
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On the blog this week: Donors are literally telling you what they need to stay engaged. Are you listening? 1️⃣ How to Communicate Donor Impact 2️⃣ How to Turn Donors into Social Media Ambassadors 🔗 Head to the link in bio and start giving your donors what they actually need. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for small businesses and nonprofits.
7 days ago
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1/6
Nonprofits: Are you making fundraising harder than it needs to be? Your donors want to support you. They want to spread the word. They want to give again. But if they’re confused, uninspired, or out of the loop … they won’t. Let’s make it easy. DM me to get on the right track again. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits: Are you making fundraising harder than it needs to be? Your donors want to support you. They want to spread the word. They want to give again. But if they’re confused, uninspired, or out of the loop … they won’t. Let’s make it easy. DM me to get on the right track again. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits: Are you making fundraising harder than it needs to be? Your donors want to support you. They want to spread the word. They want to give again. But if they’re confused, uninspired, or out of the loop … they won’t. Let’s make it easy. DM me to get on the right track again. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits: Are you making fundraising harder than it needs to be? Your donors want to support you. They want to spread the word. They want to give again. But if they’re confused, uninspired, or out of the loop … they won’t. Let’s make it easy. DM me to get on the right track again. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits: Are you making fundraising harder than it needs to be? Your donors want to support you. They want to spread the word. They want to give again. But if they’re confused, uninspired, or out of the loop … they won’t. Let’s make it easy. DM me to get on the right track again. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits: Are you making fundraising harder than it needs to be? Your donors want to support you. They want to spread the word. They want to give again. But if they’re confused, uninspired, or out of the loop … they won’t. Let’s make it easy. DM me to get on the right track again. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits: Are you making fundraising harder than it needs to be? Your donors want to support you. They want to spread the word. They want to give again. But if they’re confused, uninspired, or out of the loop … they won’t. Let’s make it easy. DM me to get on the right track again. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits: Are you making fundraising harder than it needs to be? Your donors want to support you. They want to spread the word. They want to give again. But if they’re confused, uninspired, or out of the loop … they won’t. Let’s make it easy. DM me to get on the right track again. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
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Nonprofits: Are you making fundraising harder than it needs to be? Your donors want to support you. They want to spread the word. They want to give again. But if they’re confused, uninspired, or out of the loop … they won’t. Let’s make it easy. DM me to get on the right track again. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
1 week ago
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2/6
@mollykwhiteheadco
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•
Follow
🚨 Half of your donors are just waiting for an invite to be your biggest online cheerleaders. Maybe it’s time to ask them. 📣 WEIGH IN: Tag a nonprofit that does this really well! 📲 If you need help with your marketing strategy, drop a line or DM and we’ll get the conversation started. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for nonprofits and small businesses. (source: Nonprofit Tech for Good)
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
It was a pleasure to join so many fellow entrepreneurs at the @atlashouseinc event at @p30.indy last week. We talked about marketing basics — specifically how to make an impact with zero budget. Here’s the problem: too many small businesses and nonprofits struggle to get noticed because they think effective marketing requires big spending. In reality, success comes from knowing your audience, following industry leaders, and most importantly, engaging with your community. 💡 The good news: you don’t have to figure this out alone. mkw+co’s marketing coaching package will give you the strategy, tools, and confidence to market smarter, not harder. Let’s turn your audience into actual consumers and donors. 📲 Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Let’s build a strategy that works - and without the fluff. DM me to get started. 🌟 mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for nonprofits and small businesses.
It was a pleasure to join so many fellow entrepreneurs at the @atlashouseinc event at @p30.indy last week. We talked about marketing basics — specifically how to make an impact with zero budget. Here’s the problem: too many small businesses and nonprofits struggle to get noticed because they think effective marketing requires big spending. In reality, success comes from knowing your audience, following industry leaders, and most importantly, engaging with your community. 💡 The good news: you don’t have to figure this out alone. mkw+co’s marketing coaching package will give you the strategy, tools, and confidence to market smarter, not harder. Let’s turn your audience into actual consumers and donors. 📲 Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Let’s build a strategy that works - and without the fluff. DM me to get started. 🌟 mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for nonprofits and small businesses.
It was a pleasure to join so many fellow entrepreneurs at the @atlashouseinc event at @p30.indy last week. We talked about marketing basics — specifically how to make an impact with zero budget. Here’s the problem: too many small businesses and nonprofits struggle to get noticed because they think effective marketing requires big spending. In reality, success comes from knowing your audience, following industry leaders, and most importantly, engaging with your community. 💡 The good news: you don’t have to figure this out alone. mkw+co’s marketing coaching package will give you the strategy, tools, and confidence to market smarter, not harder. Let’s turn your audience into actual consumers and donors. 📲 Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Let’s build a strategy that works - and without the fluff. DM me to get started. 🌟 mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for nonprofits and small businesses.
It was a pleasure to join so many fellow entrepreneurs at the @atlashouseinc event at @p30.indy last week. We talked about marketing basics — specifically how to make an impact with zero budget. Here’s the problem: too many small businesses and nonprofits struggle to get noticed because they think effective marketing requires big spending. In reality, success comes from knowing your audience, following industry leaders, and most importantly, engaging with your community. 💡 The good news: you don’t have to figure this out alone. mkw+co’s marketing coaching package will give you the strategy, tools, and confidence to market smarter, not harder. Let’s turn your audience into actual consumers and donors. 📲 Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Let’s build a strategy that works - and without the fluff. DM me to get started. 🌟 mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for nonprofits and small businesses.
It was a pleasure to join so many fellow entrepreneurs at the @atlashouseinc event at @p30.indy last week. We talked about marketing basics — specifically how to make an impact with zero budget. Here’s the problem: too many small businesses and nonprofits struggle to get noticed because they think effective marketing requires big spending. In reality, success comes from knowing your audience, following industry leaders, and most importantly, engaging with your community. 💡 The good news: you don’t have to figure this out alone. mkw+co’s marketing coaching package will give you the strategy, tools, and confidence to market smarter, not harder. Let’s turn your audience into actual consumers and donors. 📲 Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Let’s build a strategy that works - and without the fluff. DM me to get started. 🌟 mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for nonprofits and small businesses.
It was a pleasure to join so many fellow entrepreneurs at the @atlashouseinc event at @p30.indy last week. We talked about marketing basics — specifically how to make an impact with zero budget. Here’s the problem: too many small businesses and nonprofits struggle to get noticed because they think effective marketing requires big spending. In reality, success comes from knowing your audience, following industry leaders, and most importantly, engaging with your community. 💡 The good news: you don’t have to figure this out alone. mkw+co’s marketing coaching package will give you the strategy, tools, and confidence to market smarter, not harder. Let’s turn your audience into actual consumers and donors. 📲 Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Let’s build a strategy that works - and without the fluff. DM me to get started. 🌟 mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for nonprofits and small businesses.
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It was a pleasure to join so many fellow entrepreneurs at the @atlashouseinc event at @p30.indy last week. We talked about marketing basics — specifically how to make an impact with zero budget. Here’s the problem: too many small businesses and nonprofits struggle to get noticed because they think effective marketing requires big spending. In reality, success comes from knowing your audience, following industry leaders, and most importantly, engaging with your community. 💡 The good news: you don’t have to figure this out alone. mkw+co’s marketing coaching package will give you the strategy, tools, and confidence to market smarter, not harder. Let’s turn your audience into actual consumers and donors. 📲 Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Let’s build a strategy that works - and without the fluff. DM me to get started. 🌟 mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for nonprofits and small businesses.
1 week ago
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Nonprofits and small businesses: You need actual support. Whether it’s strategy, leadership, marketing, or something else entirely, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Swipe through to see how we can work together, then let’s chat. 📩 DM me or leave a comment below to get the conversation started. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits and small businesses: You need actual support. Whether it’s strategy, leadership, marketing, or something else entirely, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Swipe through to see how we can work together, then let’s chat. 📩 DM me or leave a comment below to get the conversation started. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits and small businesses: You need actual support. Whether it’s strategy, leadership, marketing, or something else entirely, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Swipe through to see how we can work together, then let’s chat. 📩 DM me or leave a comment below to get the conversation started. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits and small businesses: You need actual support. Whether it’s strategy, leadership, marketing, or something else entirely, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Swipe through to see how we can work together, then let’s chat. 📩 DM me or leave a comment below to get the conversation started. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits and small businesses: You need actual support. Whether it’s strategy, leadership, marketing, or something else entirely, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Swipe through to see how we can work together, then let’s chat. 📩 DM me or leave a comment below to get the conversation started. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
Nonprofits and small businesses: You need actual support. Whether it’s strategy, leadership, marketing, or something else entirely, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Swipe through to see how we can work together, then let’s chat. 📩 DM me or leave a comment below to get the conversation started. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
@mollykwhiteheadco
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•
Follow
Nonprofits and small businesses: You need actual support. Whether it’s strategy, leadership, marketing, or something else entirely, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Swipe through to see how we can work together, then let’s chat. 📩 DM me or leave a comment below to get the conversation started. ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
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@mollykwhiteheadco
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Drop an emoji below if you get the bag reference. 🙋🏼‍♀️ For those of you who work from various places, you’re probably carrying around a mobile office in your bag too. 📣 WEIGH IN: what’s the one tech item you won’t leave home without? ➡️ mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for small businesses and nonprofits. (Also, apologies to my mom who is probably embarrassed that I have a bag like this.)
1 week ago
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