Keys to a Successful Strategic Plan

The following terms help to define the key elements of a successful strategic business planning process.

Strategic. The process is strategic because it must define the best way for the organization to respond to a changing business environment and remain competitive.
Planning. A strategic plan must set goals and objectives for achieving a desired future and develop approaches to meeting those goals and objectives.
Discipline. There must be an appropriate focus and order to the process in order to keep it productive. Once completed, the plan requires commitment and sacrifice from all company employees in order to achieve its goals and objectives.
Decision. Critical choices must be made in defining the company’s specific strategic objectives and in selecting among limited resources to develop a plan that meet those objectives.
Action. In order to be ultimately successful, the strategic plan must involve a highly-defined set of tasks that will improve its processes and help to achieve goals and objectives.

To learn more or get started with your strategic planning, contact Jane Tabachnick at 212-442-2990 or jtabachnick@itac.org.

Catch the Green Wave: Green Building Products Workshop

The Construction Pipeline in NYC is booming. And a big trend for new construction is making it green! This is driven in part by City and State mandates and tax incentives for energy efficient buildings. A Bronx flooring company has seen 55% growth in sales in one year period, attributed largely to the growing demand for sustainable products.

Developing products for sustainability also encourages innovation and greater competitiveness in specialized niche premium markets resulting in increased sales! ITAC’s Workshop “Green Building Products: From Concept to Market” will give you all of the tools you need to figure out: Should your company enter the green building market? What makes a product green? How can you evaluate your products? How do you foster innovation within your company? What is the process to develop innovative new products How do you position your new products in the marketplace?

ITAC’s internal experts are partnering with Jacquie Ottman, a leading expert in Green Marketing. She is the author of numerous articles and quoted in the New York Times, BusinessWeek and MSNBC, etc. to create a new ITAC workshop. It will bring NYC manufacturers all of the information they need to bring innovative green products to market. ITAC’s Stefanie Feldman will present the opportunities for local manufacturers based on the growing green market. Ms. Ottman will describe strategies for designing environmentally friendly products. ITAC’s Tamar Gisis will guide participants through the Innovation process and how to apply it to new product development.

ITAC will be hosting this workshop on Jan 25, 2007 from 8 to 11:30 AM at ITAC’s offices, 253 Broadway. The workshop is free, but advance registration is required. Please contact RoseAnne Angus at 212-442-2990 or rangus@itac.org.

Attention Food Manufacturers, Distributors and Processors! The Food From New York Program Has Launched!

Food From New York is a city-wide initiative of the New York Industrial Retention Network. Food From New York aims to strengthen the food manufacturing sector by retaining and expanding small and medium sized specialty food companies and jobs in the food sector. It provides a comprehensive set of programs to help food manufacturers, from start-ups to well-established businesses. The program offers assistance in Real Estate and Relocation, Marketing, Workforce Development, Energy and Technology Assistance. The Food From NY website (www.foodfromnewyork.com) is a one-stop resource for:

the food manufacturer looking to grow his or her business;
the start-up entrepreneur;
distributors and food brokers looking for specialty and ethnic products;
retailers and other buyers who want to purchase locally manufactured foods;
and for industry service professionals.

Content and membership on this site is free. Member services include:

Resource Directory
Registered members have direct access to a growing searchable database of distributors and food brokers. In addition, members can find information about co-packers, equipment providers, consultants and more.

Real Estate Directory
Looking to relocate or expand in New York City? The Real Estate Directory provides up-to-date listings of industrial properties and vacant land for lease and/or for sale. We work closely with local industrial brokers and have our finger on the pulse of the city's industrial real estate market.

Ask A Food Industry Expert Archive
Find out about industry specific issues through the Ask A Food Industry Expert archive. You will find short articles written by industry professionals, such as "What is a Co-Packer" or "How to Bring Your Product to Market." The archive can assist you better understand the food industry and local market conditions so your business can grow.

Made in NYC
Search this business-to-business directory for NYC-based food companies. Register your business on the site so potential customers can find you. More than 1,100 food manufacturing businesses are located in New York City, which make everything from artisanal breads to tortillas, chocolate to fortune cookies. Most importantly, this is a great resource for sourcing local food products!

FFNY Discussion Forums
A web-based forum where you can post real estate, equipment & employment classifieds, ask questions and share industry news with FFNY members. Don't miss this great opportunity to connect with other foodies! For more information, visit www.foodfromnewyork.com

Relocation Services for NYC Manufacturers: MoveSmart/StayLeanProgram

Are operations in your facility getting a little tight? Lease coming up for renewal, and don’t know what your options are? Is your firm’s neighborhood gentrifying, increasing your rents or even threatening your operation? Perhaps your firm is growing, and you are weighing relocation against reconfiguration of your current space. Whether you need to relocate to a new location or reconfigure your space to improve efficiency there are important actions your firm should take to assure that your space will continue to meet future business needs.

ITAC’s MoveSmart/StayLean program can help your firm plan ahead and get the most out of your facility. ITAC has over 18 years experience in workflow, plant layout and relocation planning. ITAC’s team of experienced staff can help you get the most out of your current space.

The MoveSmart/StayLean program includes project planning and decision support, such as:

Space and Operations Assessment
Relocation Planning Workshops, Timelines, and Budgets
Workflow and Operational Improvements
Space Requirements, Site Selection, and Schematic Layouts

For a limited period of time your firm may be eligible for a grant to cover costs associated with relocation planning or plant configuration. This program is offered with support from the New York City Council. Applications are due February 15, 2007.

To learn more or apply, contact Jane Tabachnick at 212-442-2990 or jtabachnick@itac.org.

Upcoming Events

Lean Manufacturing 101 Workshop
Date: January 11, 2007, 8:30 am 4:30 pm
Location: ITAC Offices, 253 Broadway, Suite 302, New York, NY
Cost: $95

Would you like to produce faster, better and less expensively with your existing resources? What if, in doing so, you could increase your sales, improve customer satisfaction and increase profitability? Principals and key managers at local manufacturing firms should attend this workshop to learn how Lean Manufacturing techniques help firms produce more with existing resources by eliminating non-value added activities. Workshop simulation exercises help participants experience first hand how Lean techniques increase space utilization, improve quality, reduce cycle time, improve delivery performance, and reduce work-in-process. Application of Lean techniques enables firms to increase profits, improve customer satisfaction and become more competitive.

For more information contact RoseAnne Angus at 212-442-2990 or rangus@itac.org.

Green Building Products: From Concept to Market
Date: Jan 25, 2007 from 8 to 11:30 AM
Location: ITAC Offices, 253 Broadway, Suite 302, New York, NY
Cost: free, but registration is required.

Developing products for sustainability also encourages innovation and greater competitiveness in specialized niche premium markets resulting in increased sales! This workshop will give you all of the tools you need to figure out:
Should your company enter the green building market?
What makes a product green?
How can you evaluate your products?
How do you foster innovation within your company?
What is the process to develop innovative new products
How do you position your new products in the marketplace?

ITAC’s internal experts are partnering with Jacquie Ottman, a leading expert in Green Marketing. She is the author of numerous articles and quoted in the New York Times, BusinessWeek and MSNBC, etc. to create a new ITAC workshop.

For more information contact RoseAnne Angus at 212-442-2990 or rangus@itac.org

About ITAC

ITAC is a non-profit economic development organization dedicated to creating and retaining jobs for New Yorkers. We provide indepth one-on-one technical assistance for New York City manufacturers and technology firms to help them stay competitive in the marketplace. ITAC's unique combination of business expertise and expert resource network makes us a valuable partner to help NYC companies grow, change and thrive.

ITAC receives significant financial support from the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR), New York's high-technology economic development agency, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). ITAC serves as NYSTAR®'s designated Regional Technology Development Center for New York City and one of nearly 350 MEP locations across the country and works directly with regional companies to increase their competitiveness and profitability.

December 2006

Strategic Planning - The Key to Your Success in 07

Catch the Green Wave: Green Building Products Workshop

Attention Food Manufacturers, Distributors and Processors! The Food From New York Program Has Launched!

Relocation Services for NYC Manufacturers: MoveSmart/StayLeanProgram

Upcoming Events

About ITAC


	December 2006 Strategic Planning - The Key to Your Success in 07 Catch the Green Wave: Green Building Products Workshop Attention Food Manufacturers, Distributors and Processors! The Food From New York Program Has Launched! Relocation Services for NYC Manufacturers: MoveSmart/StayLeanProgram Upcoming ITAC Events About ITAC Strategic Planning - The Key to Your Success in 07 Looking ahead to 2007- How to make it your firm's best year ever! As this year comes to a close, it is a good time to reflect back and assess what you achieved; how you succeeded and what you would have liked to do better. This review can help shape your goals and success for 2007! Committing your goals to paper increases the likelihood of your achieving them by one-thousand percent!--Brian Tracey ( best selling author] Strategic planning is a coordinated and systematic process, establishing the overall future direction of the company to achieve the maximum potential in an ever-changing competitive environment. A successful plan will ensure that the company’s goals and objectives are appropriate, and that company's resources (labor and capital) are properly focused toward achieving those goals and objectives. In essence, a strategic plan will answer the following three questions. Where is our organization today? Where do we want to be in the future? Where and how should our organization focus its resources in order to get to where want to be?
	Keys to a Successful Strategic Plan The following terms help to define the key elements of a successful strategic business planning process. Strategic. The process is strategic because it must define the best way for the organization to respond to a changing business environment and remain competitive. Planning. A strategic plan must set goals and objectives for achieving a desired future and develop approaches to meeting those goals and objectives. Discipline. There must be an appropriate focus and order to the process in order to keep it productive. Once completed, the plan requires commitment and sacrifice from all company employees in order to achieve its goals and objectives. Decision. Critical choices must be made in defining the company’s specific strategic objectives and in selecting among limited resources to develop a plan that meet those objectives. Action. In order to be ultimately successful, the strategic plan must involve a highly-defined set of tasks that will improve its processes and help to achieve goals and objectives. To learn more or get started with your strategic planning, contact Jane Tabachnick at 212-442-2990 or jtabachnick@itac.org. Catch the Green Wave: Green Building Products Workshop The Construction Pipeline in NYC is booming. And a big trend for new construction is making it green! This is driven in part by City and State mandates and tax incentives for energy efficient buildings. A Bronx flooring company has seen 55% growth in sales in one year period, attributed largely to the growing demand for sustainable products. Developing products for sustainability also encourages innovation and greater competitiveness in specialized niche premium markets resulting in increased sales! ITAC’s Workshop “Green Building Products: From Concept to Market” will give you all of the tools you need to figure out: Should your company enter the green building market? What makes a product green? How can you evaluate your products? How do you foster innovation within your company? What is the process to develop innovative new products How do you position your new products in the marketplace? ITAC’s internal experts are partnering with Jacquie Ottman, a leading expert in Green Marketing. She is the author of numerous articles and quoted in the New York Times, BusinessWeek and MSNBC, etc. to create a new ITAC workshop. It will bring NYC manufacturers all of the information they need to bring innovative green products to market. ITAC’s Stefanie Feldman will present the opportunities for local manufacturers based on the growing green market. Ms. Ottman will describe strategies for designing environmentally friendly products. ITAC’s Tamar Gisis will guide participants through the Innovation process and how to apply it to new product development. ITAC will be hosting this workshop on Jan 25, 2007 from 8 to 11:30 AM at ITAC’s offices, 253 Broadway. The workshop is free, but advance registration is required. Please contact RoseAnne Angus at 212-442-2990 or rangus@itac.org. Attention Food Manufacturers, Distributors and Processors! The Food From New York Program Has Launched! Food From New York is a city-wide initiative of the New York Industrial Retention Network. Food From New York aims to strengthen the food manufacturing sector by retaining and expanding small and medium sized specialty food companies and jobs in the food sector. It provides a comprehensive set of programs to help food manufacturers, from start-ups to well-established businesses. The program offers assistance in Real Estate and Relocation, Marketing, Workforce Development, Energy and Technology Assistance. The Food From NY website (www.foodfromnewyork.com) is a one-stop resource for: the food manufacturer looking to grow his or her business; the start-up entrepreneur; distributors and food brokers looking for specialty and ethnic products; retailers and other buyers who want to purchase locally manufactured foods; and for industry service professionals. Content and membership on this site is free. Member services include: Resource Directory Registered members have direct access to a growing searchable database of distributors and food brokers. In addition, members can find information about co-packers, equipment providers, consultants and more. Real Estate Directory Looking to relocate or expand in New York City? The Real Estate Directory provides up-to-date listings of industrial properties and vacant land for lease and/or for sale. We work closely with local industrial brokers and have our finger on the pulse of the city's industrial real estate market. Ask A Food Industry Expert Archive Find out about industry specific issues through the Ask A Food Industry Expert archive. You will find short articles written by industry professionals, such as "What is a Co-Packer" or "How to Bring Your Product to Market." The archive can assist you better understand the food industry and local market conditions so your business can grow. Made in NYC Search this business-to-business directory for NYC-based food companies. Register your business on the site so potential customers can find you. More than 1,100 food manufacturing businesses are located in New York City, which make everything from artisanal breads to tortillas, chocolate to fortune cookies. Most importantly, this is a great resource for sourcing local food products! FFNY Discussion Forums A web-based forum where you can post real estate, equipment & employment classifieds, ask questions and share industry news with FFNY members. Don't miss this great opportunity to connect with other foodies! For more information, visit www.foodfromnewyork.com Relocation Services for NYC Manufacturers: MoveSmart/StayLeanProgram Are operations in your facility getting a little tight? Lease coming up for renewal, and don’t know what your options are? Is your firm’s neighborhood gentrifying, increasing your rents or even threatening your operation? Perhaps your firm is growing, and you are weighing relocation against reconfiguration of your current space. Whether you need to relocate to a new location or reconfigure your space to improve efficiency there are important actions your firm should take to assure that your space will continue to meet future business needs. ITAC’s MoveSmart/StayLean program can help your firm plan ahead and get the most out of your facility. ITAC has over 18 years experience in workflow, plant layout and relocation planning. ITAC’s team of experienced staff can help you get the most out of your current space. The MoveSmart/StayLean program includes project planning and decision support, such as: Space and Operations Assessment Relocation Planning Workshops, Timelines, and Budgets Workflow and Operational Improvements Space Requirements, Site Selection, and Schematic Layouts For a limited period of time your firm may be eligible for a grant to cover costs associated with relocation planning or plant configuration. This program is offered with support from the New York City Council. Applications are due February 15, 2007. To learn more or apply, contact Jane Tabachnick at 212-442-2990 or jtabachnick@itac.org. Upcoming Events Lean Manufacturing 101 Workshop Date: January 11, 2007, 8:30 am 4:30 pm Location: ITAC Offices, 253 Broadway, Suite 302, New York, NY Cost: $95 Would you like to produce faster, better and less expensively with your existing resources? What if, in doing so, you could increase your sales, improve customer satisfaction and increase profitability? Principals and key managers at local manufacturing firms should attend this workshop to learn how Lean Manufacturing techniques help firms produce more with existing resources by eliminating non-value added activities. Workshop simulation exercises help participants experience first hand how Lean techniques increase space utilization, improve quality, reduce cycle time, improve delivery performance, and reduce work-in-process. Application of Lean techniques enables firms to increase profits, improve customer satisfaction and become more competitive. For more information contact RoseAnne Angus at 212-442-2990 or rangus@itac.org. Green Building Products: From Concept to Market Date: Jan 25, 2007 from 8 to 11:30 AM Location: ITAC Offices, 253 Broadway, Suite 302, New York, NY Cost: free, but registration is required. Developing products for sustainability also encourages innovation and greater competitiveness in specialized niche premium markets resulting in increased sales! This workshop will give you all of the tools you need to figure out: Should your company enter the green building market? What makes a product green? How can you evaluate your products? How do you foster innovation within your company? What is the process to develop innovative new products How do you position your new products in the marketplace? ITAC’s internal experts are partnering with Jacquie Ottman, a leading expert in Green Marketing. She is the author of numerous articles and quoted in the New York Times, BusinessWeek and MSNBC, etc. to create a new ITAC workshop. For more information contact RoseAnne Angus at 212-442-2990 or rangus@itac.org About ITAC ITAC is a non-profit economic development organization dedicated to creating and retaining jobs for New Yorkers. We provide indepth one-on-one technical assistance for New York City manufacturers and technology firms to help them stay competitive in the marketplace. ITAC's unique combination of business expertise and expert resource network makes us a valuable partner to help NYC companies grow, change and thrive. ITAC receives significant financial support from the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR), New York's high-technology economic development agency, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). ITAC serves as NYSTAR®'s designated Regional Technology Development Center for New York City and one of nearly 350 MEP locations across the country and works directly with regional companies to increase their competitiveness and profitability.