Organizational Applied Strategic Planning (OASP)

We have come a long way since March! One of the greatest opportunities of this (Organizational Applied Strategic Planning) process was the chance to get to really know you and appreciate you in many different ways. We did a lot of work and there's more to do, but we should all be proud of what we have accomplished. Your participation was powerful and important. For that I acknowledge you on behalf of the Missouri Dental Association. Know that through your vision and thoughtfulness, you and other members of the committee have set a path for the MDA to follow for the next five years.

The Applied Strategic Planning process was extremely rewarding to me. The sessions helped me on the journey toward more effective leadership and caused me to realize that more growth is needed. You are to be commended for the excellent way that you worked with us, bringing out our best and correcting us when needed. You role modeled many valuable leadership skills. I learned how to better interact with others and express appreciation more often. I also gained considerable knowledge regarding the full scope of strategic planning, how to listen more effectively, and how to focus planning efforts into a coordinated plan. Your focus upon what is important in relation to God, family and relationships was most appropriate and contributes immeasurably to your success as a person and leader. Thank you again for your wonderful example of leadership. You have much to offer.

Your tape series, especially those involving your extraordinary team, are invaluable resources to any office committed to becoming the best they can be. First, they helped me understand the kind of people I needed to evolve my Tier IV practice. Then, they facilitated my communicating what I want us to do. Finally, they are great resources that those very people can return to time and again. Thank you Bob for sharing your great people with us!

I was extremely pleased with the quality and appropriateness of your course. The New Patient Experience Practicum has had a dramatic impact on us already in terms of how we see each other and how we are beginning to see our responsibilities and obligations to our patients. Over the last few months of intensely studying Bob Barkley's and now your work, I have begun to feel that it is my moral obligation to do this type of examination process, because it is truly the only way that I can adequately begin to understand the complexities of my patients' needs, wants and desires. The course has been clarifying and affirming to us all and has become one more critical step towards creating a truly values-driven practice. The Saturday clinical in-office session was particularly helpful; it allowed us to see how all the pieces fit together. We look forward to working with you and your staff in the years ahead.

Bob, you are a rare individual with a wide array of talents that will prove invaluable to any organization that is fortunate enough to choose to work with you. Although, you knew very little about the laser industry, you quickly came up to speed through your exceptional listening and synthesizing capabilities.

Your passion for the critical importance of vision and strategic planning just radiates from you and is highly contagious. You can certainly prove that by seeing the folks here at Incisive. We always feel better about who we are and what it is we're doing, especially after spending time with you. Simply put, you resonate beautifully.

I wish you continued success as you grow your true calling of Applied Strategic Planning and as you transform organizations and their people into the best they can become. To say you're a dentist who is trained in strategic planning may be the understatement of the decade! You may be a dentist who has and is helping others have an exemplary practice, but you are a born visionary! I firmly believe that any entrepreneurial organization that wants to thrive in today's turbulent times would benefit from Applied Strategic Planning under your capable leadership. Thank you, Bob!

On behalf of myself and the Surlean Foods family of team members, I wanted to thank you for your assistance with the development of our 5 year Applied Strategic Plan. Without your leadership and coaching I do not believe we would have produced such an impactful result.  The inclusive team building approach and collaborative way the material was presented not only allowed us to adequately assess our current state, but put us in a position to envision our desired future.

The Shadow Teams were so insightful and did provide those precious "nuggets" you said they would and continue to provide the checks and balances that we needed to ensure our progress is sound.

You are surrounded by an outstanding team of professionals and we are very appreciative of Bill, Carole and Angela's passion and talents.  Our team is better because we were able to work with your team.

Our team has a common goal and a unified strategy to reach that goal. I am confident that Surlean is on pace to become "the preferred customized food manufacturer passionately serving the food service industry" as our new Mission Statement reads.

We grew as a company, a team, and individuals through the ASP process and I know I speak for the Surlean Family when I say thank you for being an instrumental part of our future of choice.

Very Truly,

Since Retreat I, we have had four staff meetings and the word dentistry has yet to be mentioned! Very powerful meetings! Tears, hugs, the whole nine yards. This Wednesday, I hope to progress to writing our personal mission statements. I can tell that when dentistry is approached by the team, it will have a different angle. They have already, almost unconsciously, begun to see answers to questions through the prism of their closely held values. This path is more difficult than I had imagined. And, I'm not referring to how we practice dentistry. I feel like an ancient sailor who has sailed from port not really understanding what will happen, but sure of our direction!

Written the first year after taking the Applied Strategic Planning Series: Bob, the changes here are truly phenomenal! We are now in our beautiful new office, production and collection has risen over 50% and I swear we are not working as hard. I just stopped to listen the other day, and it is simply wonderful to hear and feel this new energy. People should be standing in line for this experience. Thank you my friend!

“I have known Bob personally since the mid 1970's and have been a part of his Applied Strategic Planning series in the 90's and have continued to use Bob as a Mentor, being a part of his National Study Group for the past eight years. I can highly recommend him for his incredible expertise in helping you to Know and Truly Understand Yourself, Your Team and Your Personal Life. He has provided a web of intriguing ideas which have virtually transformed my life since I began working with him. And this is not to mention the people he has exposed me to, whom I would have never crossed paths with had I not known Bob. I place Bob at the same level as The Pankey Institute in changing the paradigms of my life and practice.” June 10, 2010