> SOUTHERN INDIANA — This is the time of the year when many organizations formulate their strategic plans. From the largest multinational corporation to the smallest Sunday school class, every group needs goals and objectives to guide it.

There is no reason why families should be any different. Why should they leave their future to chance?

Most large companies spend enormous amounts of money each year holding planning retreats in exotic locations. Instead of a poolside luau at Waikiki, a private beach in the Barbados or a luxury resort in Cancun, Stawar, Inc. conducted this year’s annual planning retreat at Applebee’s, over the “Two for $20” special.

After considerable reflection and debate, not to mention plunges into the spinach artichoke dip, goals and objectives for the next 12 months were established. We’ve adopted a variation of the Balanced Scorecard popularized by Dr. Robert Kaplan from Harvard Business School and consultant Dr. David Norton. Goals and objectives fall into four broad categories: activities, human resources, financial and technology. Some of these objectives may overlap, but that only creates much needed synergy, according to Kaplan and Norton.



Stawar Strategic Plan for FY 2012-13

Goal 1. (Activities): Fun in the sun!

Objective 1: Resurrect the ill-fated pontoon boat Kokomo.

Comment: For the second time in the past three years, the luckless Kokomo has burned up a motor and resides in dry dock. The only solution seems to be another huge infusion of capital, seriously compromising cash flow at Stawar, Inc. The chairman of the board (wife Diane) has overruled my objections arguing “In for a penny, in for a pound.”

Objective 2. Locate and repair the exasperating slow leak in the “Big Slice” inflatable Ski Tube.

Comment: With the imminent relaunch of the Kokomo, the enjoyable, but frequently life-threatening “Big Slice” is also in need of repair. Since this tube gradually deflates each time we use it, riders are increasingly in danger of being drug under the water directly into the path of submerged tree trunks. Some spendthrifts argue that it should be replaced with something flashier.

 

Goal 2. (Activities): Leverage existing reserves of sugar-free coffee syrups.

Objective 1. Buy an espresso maker in an effort to simulate a Starbucks outlet in our kitchen.

Comment: Last year, I received several sugar-free coffee syrups as a Christmas gift. After several months of them gathering dust, I found myself becoming addicted to them. This Christmas, I even used a gift card to expand my supply to include the Pumpkin Pie and Gingerbread flavors.

As a barista, however, I leave much to be desired. So far my homemade concoctions lack that caffeine punch, characteristic of lattés made with real espresso. What’s the point of a Pumpkin Pie Spice Latté without that rich espresso taste and a least a hint of tachycardia?



Goal 3. (Human Resources): Expand the Stawar Wellness Program

Objective 1: Increase the number of fast laps we swim this year.

Comments: For several years, our sporadic swimming exercise has consisted of 18 laps, alternating three fast forward laps with three slower backstroke laps. This year we plan to take it up a notch and swim four forward and only two backstrokes per set, as radical as that sounds.

Objective 2. Decrease the proportion of summer sausage in Stawar family diet to 15 percent or less this year.

Comments: The introduction of the garlic version of Kroger’s summer sausage threatens to negatively impact cholesterol levels. This objective, however, may be less critical this planning cycle than anticipated, since Lipitor is now available as a generic.



Goal 4. (Financial): Following Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s advice to “not pay 1 cent more than legally required, in federal taxes,” we are seeking out all of our legitimate tax deductions.

Objective 1: Consult tax professional to determine if contributions to job-seeking son, who has a college degree in fine arts, constitutes a charitable deduction (like supporting The Fund for the Arts).

Objective 2: Also check to see if writing about replacing an outboard motor on a pontoon boat in a newspaper column could possibly make it allowable as a deductible business expense.

Comments: In the past I’ve taken tax advice from friends who have proven to be inadequately prepared in tax law. I quickly discovered what they considered to be a “gray area,” was, in fact, crystal clear to the IRS.



Goal 5. (Technology): Become more proficient at using modern technology.

Objective 1: Make a habit of engaging the cell phone’s keypad lock when finished using the phone.

Comments: Diane’s cell phone bill has been averaging $10 more a month in unwanted charges that seem to be a result of inadvertent pocket-dialing (better known as butt-dialing). I once butt-dialed my sister who lives in Chicago. I was confused and thought she was calling me until I realized what happened. Besides reducing embarrassment, this objective may have some fiscal impact.

Objective 2. Learn how to use Diane’s new doctor’s website portal to gain access to personal medical information.

Comments: Lately some doctors are mailing out clinical summaries of their office visits. I think we can probably do without some of the descriptions about how you appeared at the time of the appointment, especially those that are less than flattering.

High tech doctors don’t bother with snail mail anymore. They set up websites where you can log in and look at your clinical information and lab results online, along with links to medical information. I think doctors are doing this because they’re annoyed at all the questions people now ask, since they look up things on the Internet before they come in for appointments. Referring you to their website is a way for them to regain some sense of control over the situation.

Implementation: To get this plan really rolling, all that remains is to wipe the barbecue sauce off the final draft and start looking for my green apron and stainless steel milk-frothing pitcher.

— Terry L. Stawar, Ed.D., lives in Georgetown and is the CEO of LifeSpring the local community mental health center in Jeffersonville. He can be reached at tstawar@lifespr.com. Checkout his Welcome to Planet-Terry blog and podcast at www.planetterry.wordpress.com.