Hello There,

In this edition of Strategic Insights, we’re shifting from “carrot” to “2x4” to show the cost of inaction when it comes to Strategy & Planning. 

It’s not often that we go negative – but sometimes that’s what it takes to get leadership and boards to truly understand the battles you face every day. We explore the costs, internal and external impacts, and missed growth opportunities of failing to develop strategies and plans that can instead fuel focused investment, operational alignment, market growth, and measurable outcomes.

I hope these insights help you focus your organization’s priorities as you plan for the new year.

I always welcome your input! If you have specific topics or challenges you’d like us to cover in future editions, please reply to this email.

Warm regards,
Mike Chapman
President

The Real Price of Ambiguity: Calculating the Cost of Skipping Brand Strategy

In an environment defined by labor shortages, new regulations, and rising patient demands, heading into a new fiscal year without a clear strategy is not just risky—it's actively expensive.

A lack of strategic planning has direct financial and operational costs:

• Wasted Resources: Marketing investments are spread thin, yielding no measurable return.

• Operational Chaos: Departments work in silos, fragmenting the patient experience and amplifying staff burnout.

• Missed Growth: Competitors with foresight capture key market opportunities while your system is forced to react.

Strategy is your framework for efficiency and foresight, providing the alignment needed to focus investment, reduce staff friction, and ensure your brand retains trust. Avoid the hidden costs of operating without direction.

Read more about the cost of operating without a strategy

Complexity Is the Enemy: Moving from 80 Goals to 5 Actionable Strategic Priorities

In today’s dynamic healthcare environment, many health systems fall into the trap of crafting business strategies so complex they actually impede growth. Comprehensive roadmaps featuring dozens of goals often slow decision-making, stifle clinical and operational innovation, and limit the agility required to compete.

The most effective strategy is nimble. It must act as a clear filter for daily decision-making, helping your organization respond at the “speed of business.” As one of our senior strategists learned firsthand, reducing an overwhelming 80 goals to just five core priorities for the division brought clarity, alignment, and measurable progress.

At Springboard, we help systems distill complexity into clear, actionable strategies that ensure every team—from the C-suite to the frontline—understands the "why" behind the priorities, fueling confident action and sustained growth.

Read more on why an overly complex strategy may impede growth

Strategic Planning: Why Clarity Drives Results

In today’s rapidly evolving environment, effective strategic planning is essential to cut through complexity and drive real, measurable results.

A robust strategy serves as the indispensable framework that brings Clarity, Alignment, and Action to your organization. It is not merely a document, but a living process that uncovers your unique equity, identifies critical opportunities, and aligns every department, physician, and member around shared goals.

This approach ensures your organization moves beyond just reacting to market shifts and proactively shapes its own future with confidence and focus.

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