Written by three top consultants and trainers, "Applied Strategic Planning" shows managers and CEOs a clear, effective way to identify and implement strategic objectives. Their strategic planning model places emphasis on organizational culture, the integration of business and functional plans, the performance audit, and gap analysis. Values clarification is explicitly confronted in a systematic way early in the process. Goodstein, Nolan, and Pfeiffer take managers through all phases of the strategic planning process, including how to determine if an organization is ready for strategic planning; effectively communicate a corporate vision; recognize the role of culture in changing strategic direction; understand the various roles of a consultant; write effective mission statements; and create contingency plans. Charts, diagrams, and checklists make the book especially helpful, as well as illuminating examples from the authors' extensive consulting experience, and even cartoons that convey important points.