News: New Strategic Planning Programme Launch

“If you don’t know where you’re going any road will take you there”. Lewis Carol.

Heritage Thinking Differently is proud to introduce the 2/5/10 Strategic Planning Programme, originally developed by esteemed cultural consultant Nick Winterbotham. Following a distinguished career in senior leadership and consultancy, Nick has entrusted his strategic planning methodology to Helen Sharp and me, ensuring its continued impact in the sector.

From 2025, Helen and I will be leading this transformative Strategic Planning Programme, equipping heritage organisations with a clear, structured approach to long-term planning. Our schedule is already full until March, but we would love to collaborate with you in the spring to shape your organisation’s future.

If you don’t have a strategy, that IS your strategy!

Our process harnesses the insight and ambition of your stakeholders to craft a compelling vision for your organisation’s future. The programme focuses on defining clear goals for the next 2 and 5 years, while also outlining a strategic direction for the next decade. What sets Nick’s approach apart is its emphasis on a concise, adaptable working document, ensuring your strategy remains relevant and responsive to change.

Consider where your organisation was ten years ago and how valuable a structured roadmap might have been. Recent upheavals, such as the pandemic, have demonstrated the necessity of agile, forward-thinking planning. In an unpredictable world, having a robust yet flexible strategy is essential.

Why a Strategic Plan Matters

A well-defined strategic plan is often the first step towards securing funding and investment, providing confidence to major donors and grant bodies. Beyond financial benefits, this process strengthens internal cohesion, ensuring key staff and stakeholders actively contribute to shaping the organisation’s direction.

Many national institutions have successfully adopted Nick’s model, using it to refine their objectives annually and adapt to emerging challenges. Additionally, this framework is highly effective for brand development and vision-setting, and we are happy to explore how it can be tailored to your organisation’s specific needs.

Funding Support & Next Steps

We understand that financial constraints can be a barrier, which is why we can assist in securing funding to cover the cost of a financial review. Many small funding bodies offer grants that support strategic planning initiatives, and we can incorporate this into our programme to ensure accessibility.

By investing in strategic planning, you open doors to new funding opportunities, greater resilience, and sustainable growth. We look forward to working with you to unlock the ambition, resources, and financial support needed to realise your organisation’s full potential.

I hope you found this article insightful. I invite you to explore my blog, where I discuss various aspects of museum management, strategy, and sustainability.

Paul Baker

Links

Heritage Thinking Differently - Strategic Planning

Blog: New Home for Planning Programme