December 10, 2024
Horner & Shifrin’s Strategic Vision For Future Growth
Building a Strong Foundation: Horner & Shifrin's Strategic Planning for Sustainable Growth
Horner & Shifrin’s strategic planning session at the end of October was a comprehensive and forward-thinking event aimed at setting the stage for the company’s growth and development into 2025 and beyond. The session, held over two days, focused on various critical aspects of the business.
The strategic planning session was led by Curt Peitzman, who brought his extensive experience and leadership skills to the forefront. Curt has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, holding various roles such as Project Manager, Estimator, Senior Project Manager, Division Manager, Vice President, and Executive Vice President. His diverse background allows him to relate to all stakeholders, from field team members to owners.
Curt’s leadership has been instrumental in driving significant growth in past positions. His responsibilities have included overseeing estimating, owner relations, contract negotiation, procurement, project staffing, project management, subcontractor relations, MWBE outreach programs, business development, community relations, employee growth, risk management, and company fleet oversight. During the strategic planning session, Curt’s expertise in managing large-scale projects and his ability to foster a collaborative and goal-oriented environment were evident. His focus on leadership development, strategic alignment, and continuous improvement provided a strong foundation for the company’s future growth.
The session began with an emphasis on the company’s culture, highlighting the importance of engagement, honest and candid feedback, and maintaining a high-level perspective. The strategic planning event was structured around four main quadrants: Customer, Financial, People, and Process. Each quadrant was addressed with specific goals and action plans to drive the company’s growth.
The team discussed the importance of setting S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Timebound) and maintaining these goals live on SharePoint for transparency and accountability. Each team member was encouraged to have approximately 12 action plans per quarter, evenly distributed across the quadrants. A significant focus was placed on leadership development, with an emphasis on increasing the company’s bench strength and preparing for future growth. The qualities of effective leaders were discussed, including character, influence, positive attitude, and excellent communication skills.
The session explored the different stages of organizational growth, from new ventures to professionalization and consolidation. The team identified critical development areas and set strategic goals to navigate these stages effectively. The importance of corporate culture was reiterated, with discussions on values, beliefs, norms, and performance standards. The team examined how the company’s culture impacts customer experience and internal processes.
The team emphasized the need for clear, actionable, and measurable metrics to drive behavior change and achieve strategic goals. Examples of past metrics and new proposed metrics were discussed, focusing on areas such as recruitment, customer engagement, and process adoption. The session concluded with a detailed timeline for the strategic plan’s implementation. Key actions included finalizing the strategic plan document, distributing it to the core team, and ensuring that every team member has a clear understanding of their role in achieving the company’s vision.
The strategic planning session underscored the importance of aligning the company’s vision and mission with its strategic goals. This alignment is crucial for driving growth and ensuring that all team members are working towards a common objective. The team committed to a culture of continuous improvement, with a focus on innovation, accountability, and performance management. This approach will help the company stay competitive and adapt to changing market conditions.
Investing in leadership and talent development was identified as a key priority. The company aims to build a strong leadership pipeline and foster a culture of excellence and innovation. A customer-centric approach was emphasized, with a focus on understanding and meeting customer needs. This approach will help the company build strong customer relationships and drive long-term success.
Horner & Shifrin’s strategic planning session was a pivotal event that set the stage for the company’s future growth. By focusing on culture, leadership, metrics, and strategic alignment, and under the expert guidance of Curt Peitzman, the company is well-positioned to achieve its goals and navigate the challenges of the coming years.