SOAR, don’t SWOT

[Tim Slack]

May 28, 2013 By fiona 

A couple of years ago I was contracted to support a fledgling social enterprise (a ‘not for profit’ company) to plan a strategy and transfer from grant dependency to income generation. As part of the scoping element, I read the SWOT analysis which had been prepared six months earlier by a group of management consultants, who’d taken a more traditional process-driven approach to forward planning at the time. It was a well-prepared document, covering the strengths and weaknesses, possible opportunities and the potential treats facing the organisation in detail. Reflecting on my reading of the report, I noticed two things: firstly that my reading and thinking was dominated by the weaknesses and threats ignoring the strengths; and secondly, the document was flat and lacked passion. From conversations I’d already had with the staff, I knew there was real commitment – it was a high class product and service, and they were delivering well.

This led me to decide to start again with them, using the OD philosophy Appreciative Inquiry and in particular SOAR* (which stands for ‘strengths, opportunities, aspirations and results’) the AI alternative to a SWOT analysis (SWOT stands for ‘strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats’, so can focus unduly on the negative, rather than the positive in an organisation). Alongside the SOAR process, we asked staff to imagine it was two years later, and they were looking back on the success of the enterprise, describing in detail the present state of the company and its journey to achievement.

By using SOAR and exercises like ‘Imagine back’, we created a very different organisation with aspirations, commitment and measurable results. Three years on, it is successful social enterprise. The AI constructionist principle tells us that ‘words create worlds‘ – so the words we choose to use influence our perception, expectations and focus. Surely, then, organisations should be SOARing, not being SWOTted, if they want to get the best out of themselves?

If you need some strategic planning with a difference – something that will inspire and help create a positive future – give us a call today on 0151 427 1146. We can help you plan differently…

* SOAR is trade marked and was first developed by Jackie Stavros and Gina Hinrichs, authors of The Thin book of SOAR.

Tim Slack

The imagine back exercise used is as follows 

Its 2015 and we are meeting to review our achievements and success. We are running a successful and financially viable organisation with great customer feedback. Describe in detail what this looks like plus the challenges and journey you have taken to achieve this success.  You have a hour to discuss and prepare in any format you like a 10 minute presentation to a potential new funder 

[Jean-Louis Lamboray]

Yes, let us start with the dream! We tend to invite people to project themselves even further, to avoid that they self-censor, thinking "this can't be done in X years".

What is your experience?

Thanks

[Sandhya Mishra]

Very very interesting indeed. Thank you Tim for posting the link. 

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Responses from LinkedIn

 

There is also a link at the bottom of the article that will take you to the book website. It's available electronic (Amazon, B&N, etc.) or paperback." data-li-editable="false" data-li-edit-sec-left="900" data-li-time="" /'>                                                                  

                                Earle Airey III •                         When I was studying this concept we used a book in class that really dug into SOAR. It's an easy read and I would highly recommend it for anyone who want to learn more of what SOAR is about.The Thin Book of SOAR, Building Strengths-Based Strategy. By Jacqueline M. Stavros and Gina Hinrichs.
There is also a link at the bottom of the article that will take you to the book website. It's available electronic (Amazon, B&N, etc.) or paperback.

 

Its 2015 and we are meeting to review our achievements and success. We are running a successful and financially viable organisation with great customer feedback. Describe in detail what this looks like plus the challenges and journey you have taken to achieve this success. You have a hour to discuss and prepare in any format you like a 10 minute presentation to a potential new funder
Earle
I agree a very useful book also there is information about SOAR in our Ai essentials publication go to www.appreciatingpeople.co.uk" data-li-editable="false" data-li-edit-sec-left="900" data-li-time="" />                                                                                    

Tim Slack •                         Rituu here is the exercise we used for Imagine back
Its 2015 and we are meeting to review our achievements and success. We are running a successful and financially viable organisation with great customer feedback. Describe in detail what this looks like plus the challenges and journey you have taken to achieve this success.  You have a hour to discuss and prepare in any format you like a 10 minute presentation to a potential new funder
Earle I agree a very useful book also there is information about SOAR in our Ai essentials publication go to www.appreciatingpeople.co.uk

I hope you like it ;-)" data-li-editable="false" data-li-edit-sec-left="900" data-li-time="" /">                                                                                    

John Lodder •                         Following this link you find my May column:  http://www.poslovni-savjetnik.com/tagovi/best-practices/john-lodder...                      

I hope you like it ;-)                                          

 

[Autry Haynes]

Thanks Tim, I like (^_^)! In reflection, sometime back we worked on "begin with the end" by describe a future state, probably now known as your dream or vision and then work your way backwards to the present, identifying and describing outcomes that are to be achieved along the way.

In all of this the impact depends on the facilitator and how effective the processes is stimulating and creating positive sustainable changes that are measurable and satisfactory to the final beneficiary.