Getting employees involved in strategy planning

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate how appreciative inquiry methods can be applied by managers to developing and reviewing business strategy as an alternative, more inclusive and positive approach than is traditionally adopted. Design/methodology/approach Two cases are presented emanating from consulting projects undertaken by the author. Findings The cases highlight that appreciative inquiry methods can be applied practically to matters of strategy in different types of organizations. Practical implications The practical implications are far reaching. Appreciative inquiry is a fully inclusive method of organizational research. It can be easily and inexpensively adopted and run by management teams, and all employees can be active participants in the process. Originality/value The paper is the first that specifically marries appreciative inquiry with business strategy development and review for practitioners and that presents practitioner-oriented cases.