Effective planning

To make planning effective the following measures need to be taken.

1. Well defined objective.

2. Top level initiative.
3. Integration of long-term and short-term plans.
4. Flexible planning

Well-defined objectives
For effective planning objectives need to be well defined. Objectives need to be rational and
understandable by every employee. This will ensure a sense of direction for the organization and facilate
control and co-ordination.

Ideas should set the objective clearly that they need to increase the sales of ready-made products
instead of only focusing on fabric. They are struggling in the men’s apparel division and should devise
some new plans or take the necessary action to earn the potential profit. Some actions can be
introducing shifting focus on kid’s section instead of men’s because very few of their competitors are in
that market section yet and it is right there for the taking.

Top-level initiative
To make planning effective they are originated at the top. The top management is to take initiative in
planning and must support it and it should enlist the support of lower level executives. The lower level
may be allowed to submit their plans to the top executives for approval and consideration. The top
management should generate interest in planning throughout the organization.

Further the top-level executives are to encourage the participation of lower level executives in planning.
This can be achieved by management by objectives, formation of planning committees and the
preparation of budgets.

Ideas needs to make its own name separate from Gul Ahmed. Strong initiative is needed by the top
management and make it a top priority, if not the first, to convey the message that they are not only
fabric market but also in the ready-made cloths market. For this purpose, top management needs to
show interest in this matter and encourage the lower management to submit their Ideas for doing it.
They can create an MBO team or a planning committee with a specific goal of making their own brand
name.

Integration of Long-Term and Short-Term Plans

Both short and long-term plans are to be prepared and integrated to achieve objectives of the
organization. They should be prepared and integrated to achieve the objectives of the organization.
Perfect co-ordination between the two types of planning is to be achieved.

Ideas must develop short-term plans which help them achieve their long-term objectives. Ideas’ long-
term goal is to be a market leader in the retail market. For this they need to make short-term plans of
speeding up their franchising process so that they can gain more and more presence in small cities as
well and achieve their long-term goal and become a true national brand and market leader with better
prospects of further growth in international markets.
Flexible planning
For effective planning plans should not be a line on a stone. Plans need to be flexible for all situations as
external environment is unpredictable. If plans are flexible there is always room for improvement or
preferable suggestions.

If Ideas makes all their plans flexible, then family conflicts can be minimized and can be resolved quickly.
Plans will be open for suggestions and if any suggestion is made it will be reviewed properly without
creating any conflicts.