Like no other time in recent history, the environment in which we do business is changing. Attempting to tame such unpredictable circumstances with rigid long-range plans will ultimately lead to missed opportunities and failed goals.

Today's environment calls for a more dynamic approach - strategic planning.

Strategic planning can help your organization effectively respond to a changing environment while keeping a clear focus on your vision, purpose, and goals.

Do the right thing

Any organization can keep busy doing many things - but they may not be the things that matter. In times like these, your organization must be able to answer the question, "Are we doing the right thing?"

Strategic planning enables you to constantly assess if your efforts are appropriate and adequate to meet your specified goals, at any given moment and under any circumstances.

Know where you're going

There's an old saying, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." Organizations that lack clear plans and purpose often find themselves on roads that miss the mark or turn into a dead end.

Strategic planning first helps your organization identify your goals - then allows you to identify new paths of opportunities as they appear. It's an approach that ensures the roads you choose will take you where you want to go.

The vision to move forward

You don't need to go it alone as you plan for the future. Diversified Management Services offers experienced strategic planning facilitators to help you achieve your goals.

As a third-party facilitator, we bring new insights and a fresh perspective to your planning efforts. This allows us to create an open environment where personality or departmental differences are minimized, and participation among all team members is encouraged. We keep the discussions on track and keep your team members focused on the tasks at hand.

Your planning activities continue to move forward - and that means you'll spend less time on this effort while getting greater results.

Experience and ability put to work

DMS's professional facilitators will apply a wide range of problem-solving tools to your strategic planning efforts.

Types of planning services we offer are:

• Conferences
• Symposiums
• Strategic Planning
• Board Training
• Crisis Planning

• More than 30 years consulting experience with trade associations and professional societies.
• Founded Diversified Management Services, a full-service association management company
• Built, developed, and managed association governmental affairs programs for a number of associations
• Developed, facilitated, and managed strategic planing processes in horticulture, health care, banking, minority organizations, security/law enforcement, and country clubs.
• Served on local, state, national, and international boards and committees across many industry and professional lines.
• ISAE Executive of the Year
• Former Treasurer and Executive Committee member, Des Moines Charter Commission
• Current President of the Greater Des Moines Committee on Foreign Relations

• More than 35 years consulting experience in Chicago, New York, and Des Moines with a variety of corporations, associations, non-profits, communities, and religious organizations. Founded and built three successful Iowa Companies.
• Currently president and CEO of the Wallace House Foundation, a non-profit corporation whose mission is to "build community through conversation, dialogue, and active learning." Board member Behavioral Health Resources.
• Has developed and integrated into his consulting practice a number of proprietary models and processes to build organization value and community success.
• Formerly co-managing partner and principal of The Zimmerman Company, a marketing/management/public relations consulting organization.
• Facilitated and managed strategic planning for a variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations including Blank Park Zoo Foundation, ChildNet, Illinois Press Association, Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Iowa Newspaper Association, Mercy Health Services, Perry, Iowa, and the James B. Morris Scholarship Fund.
• Currently working with Fifth Judicial District, Iowa Department of Corrections, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, and Town/Craft, a collaboration of Iowa State University College of Design and Extension Services.