Strategic Planning
Beyond the Buzzwords: Strategic Planning That Actually Works
Let’s be honest—“strategic planning” sounds great in theory, but too often, it’s a time-consuming exercise that results in a nice-looking document that sits on a shelf. Meanwhile, your business keeps moving, and you’re left wondering:
- Why aren’t we hitting our goals?
- Why does growth feel slow—or worse, stalled?
- Why do our employees seem disconnected or disengaged?
- Why do we keep chasing every opportunity instead of focusing on what really matters?
At Seventh Scout, we don’t do fluff. Our strategic planning process is built for real-world impact—practical, actionable, and tailored to where you are right now. Whether you’re building your company’s foundation with mission, vision, and values, or refining a short- or long-term plan to align leadership and execution, we help clear the fog and get you moving in the right direction.
With the expertise of our team—now strengthened by industry veteran Ellen Swanson of Sparkline Strategy—we offer a scaled, flexible approach designed to meet your business where it is today and propel it into the future.
Meet Ellen
My passion is helping others dig into the nitty-gritty (and sometimes not-so-fun stuff) to uncover their best path to positive change. I find the most fun to be had in business when challenging questions are asked, creativity is unleashed to move things forward—or take a total left turn—and everyone learns to communicate, communicate, communicate!
With more than 20 years of experience in product and service marketing, I’ve worked with teams and businesses to shape strategies that drive meaningful results. Before joining Seventh Scout to expand strategic planning services, I led the marketing team at a national professional services firm, where I served on the leadership team and gained firsthand insight into the critical role marketers play in shaping strategy. Now, I bring that expertise to businesses ready to make bold, strategic changes that align with their goals and values.
Outside of work, I’m a mom to humans and dogs, a devoted daughter, an artist, and a sourdough enthusiast. When I’m not working you can find me A) up to my elbows in flour; B) bugging my adult children with endless phone calls; C) bugging my parents with endless phone calls; D) throwing the ball for my pups; or E) all of the above!
Let’s dig into your business’s most challenging questions together, uncover creative solutions, and build a strategy that truly moves the needle for your business.
Strategic Planning: Is Your Business on the Right Path?
Are you setting goals—but missing the mark?
By the time year-end numbers roll in, there shouldn’t be any surprises (at least not the bad ones). If you’re constantly scrambling to understand why financial, brand, or operational performance isn’t where it should be, it may be time to rethink how your goals are set—and how they’re tracked along the way. A strong strategic plan keeps you focused, aligned, and ahead of the curve.
Do you know where you stand in the market?
You know who you are and who you want to work with. That’s great! But do you know what your clients think? Understanding how you’re perceived, why clients choose you, and where you fit in the competitive landscape is key to making smart, future-focused business decisions. We help you clarify your positioning—and find opportunities you may not have seen before.
Can your whole team articulate your “why”?
When everyone in your organization understands why your company exists and what truly drives success, you stop wasting time chasing every opportunity and start focusing on the right ones. A clear strategic plan puts that “why” into action, aligning leadership and employees around a shared vision—so everyone is rowing in the same direction.
Is rapid growth making it hard to stay focused?
Scaling a business is exciting, but without the right plan, misalignment between departments can slow progress and create chaos. A well-crafted strategic plan ensures that every department—at every level—is aligned on priorities, moving in the same direction, and working toward common goals. When growth is intentional and well-managed, success becomes sustainable.
Ready to stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward with clarity? Let’s build a strategic plan that works for you.
