--- title: Plansmith Blog | strategy description: strategy | --- [CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-323-3281](https://www.plansmith.reachproductions.net/project/call-toll-free-1-800-323-3281/) [![Plansmith](https://blog.plansmith.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Plansmith-Logo.png?width=764&height=135&name=Plansmith-Logo.png "Plansmith")](https://www4.plansmith.com) - Solutions - [Budgeting](https://www4.plansmith.com/budgeting/) - [ALM](https://www4.plansmith.com/alm) - [ALM Advisory Services](https://www4.plansmith.com/alm/advisory-services/) - [CECL](https://www4.plansmith.com/cecl/) - [Strategy](https://www4.plansmith.com/strategy/) - [Market Intelligence](https://www4.plansmith.com/market-intelligence/) - Products - [StrategyGPS](https://www4.plansmith.com/strategygps/) - [Compass](https://www4.plansmith.com/compass/) - [BankersGPS](https://www4.plansmith.com/bankersgps/) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.plansmith.com/) - [Videos](https://plansmith.wistia.com/projects/7qemazkqii) - [Compass Tutorials](https://info.plansmith.com/compass-tutorials) - [Lunch N’ Learn](https://info.plansmith.com/lunch-n-learns) - [Webinars](https://www4.plansmith.com/webinars/) - [About](https://www4.plansmith.com/about/) - [Schedule A Discovery Call](https://www4.plansmith.com/contact-us/) - [CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-323-3281](tel:8003233281) # Plansmith Blog ## [Why Your Institution Needs a Playbook in 2025](https://blog.plansmith.com/why-your-institution-needs-a-playbook-in-2025) Posted by [Megan Plis](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/megan-plis) on 3/3/25, 9:12 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![playbook](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/BudgetingALM%20Postcard%20Bleed%202.05.24.png)](https://blog.plansmith.com/why-your-institution-needs-a-playbook-in-2025) **Why Your Financial Institution Needs a Playbook in 2025** The financial landscape is set to undergo significant shifts in 2025, driven by fluctuating interest rates, evolving economic conditions, and a changing political environment. These factors present both opportunities and challenges for financial institutions, making it essential to have a comprehensive playbook. A playbook not only provides guidance, but ensures that institutions remain agile and focused on key objectives, especially during fluctuating rate environments. While we don’t know how much rates may fluctuate, we do know it’s important to be prepared for any scenario. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/why-your-institution-needs-a-playbook-in-2025) ## [The Power of Playbooks: A Blueprint for Success](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-power-of-playbooks-a-blueprint-for-success) Posted by [Craig Hartman](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/craig-hartman) on 1/11/24, 11:19 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![playbook](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/BudgetingALM%20Postcard%20Bleed%202.05.24.png)](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-power-of-playbooks-a-blueprint-for-success) In the face of complexity and uncertainty, human instinct seeks order and guidance. A playbook, whether etched on ancient clay tablets or stored in modern cloud servers, provides this very structure. It transcends a mere collection of rules; it's a living document, a distilled wisdom of past experiences, offering a roadmap for navigating future challenges. The benefits of a well-crafted playbook are manifold, weaving their magic across both individual and collective endeavors. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-power-of-playbooks-a-blueprint-for-success) ## [Planning Doesn’t Stop At 5:00 On Friday](https://blog.plansmith.com/planning-doesnt-stop-at-5) Posted by [David Schwieder](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/david-schwieder) on 8/4/21, 12:59 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![reforecasting](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Concert220.png)](https://blog.plansmith.com/planning-doesnt-stop-at-5) At Plansmith, we focus on not only helping our clients with preparing an annual budget, but identifying the action items involved in making the plan come to fruition. When you work all week helping banks and credit unions do a better job of planning, it’s probably not uncommon to take a step away on the weekend and refresh the batteries. But do we ever really stop planning? Last year, shortly before COVID hit, I was making plans (there’s that word again) to attend a concert at Chicago’s Thalia Hall. Since this was a general admission show, my goal was to arrive early in order to be relatively close to the stage. If you’re a bank or credit union CFO, think of this as my ***desired ROI***. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/planning-doesnt-stop-at-5) ## [3 Activities to Start ASAP This Fall](https://blog.plansmith.com/activities-to-start-asap-this-fall) Posted by [Sue West](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/sue-west) on 9/14/20, 1:23 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![planning activities](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/leaves-57427_1280.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/activities-to-start-asap-this-fall) Oh, Autumn. The changing of the leaves, the crispness of the morning air... and the crunching of numbers? Yep. We're bankers. It's what we do. And fall, it's the perfect time for some of our favorite - and most crucial - banking activities. Here are the 3 game-changing activities Plansmith recommends starting as early as possible in the fall: [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/activities-to-start-asap-this-fall) ## [15 Ways an Outside Facilitator Can Save Your Next Strategic Planning Session](https://blog.plansmith.com/15-ways-an-outside-facilitator-can-save-your-next-strategic-planning-session) Posted by [Kevin Stang](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/kevin-stang) on 7/24/18, 3:01 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![desk-3139127_1280](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/desk-3139127_1280.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/15-ways-an-outside-facilitator-can-save-your-next-strategic-planning-session) We’ve all been in meetings that weren’t exactly productive. You know how it goes… - The meeting begins with little to no agenda - You waste most of the time discussing off-topic subjects - Debates over seemingly meaningless items end up derailing progress - Someone ends up creating more questions than solutions - The meeting takes an hour longer than it was scheduled for - The team walks away with no clue what to do next [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/15-ways-an-outside-facilitator-can-save-your-next-strategic-planning-session) ## [5 Simple Tweaks to Build a Better Strategic Plan](https://blog.plansmith.com/5-simple-tweaks-to-build-a-better-strategic-plan) Posted by [Megan Plis](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/megan-plis) on 7/20/18, 3:23 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![action-2277292_1280](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/action-2277292_1280.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/5-simple-tweaks-to-build-a-better-strategic-plan) Only part of a successful strategic plan lies in the plan itself. A good plan, just like a recipe, is important. But any good chef will tell you, choosing the right ingredients is only half the challenge. The rest lies in executing the recipe properly. So, how can your bank or credit union make a **better** strategic plan? Here are some simple tweaks to the ingredients *and* execution of your strategic planning recipe. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/5-simple-tweaks-to-build-a-better-strategic-plan) ## [The Most Important Variance – Where You Will Be](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-most-important-variance-where-you-will-be) Posted by [Craig Hartman](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/craig-hartman) on 6/25/18, 2:58 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![business-925900_960_720-3](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/business-925900_960_720-3.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-most-important-variance-where-you-will-be) I was playing golf the other day and, of course, while I’m playing I’m thinking about work, which is a bad idea since I should be concentrating on my game. But I’m always thinking about ways to make planning more effective. My thoughts today were on variance analysis. Everyone uses variance analyses in their board reports to check progress against plan and it is certainly a good check. At board meetings we review our current position relative to last month, year-to-date and last year-to-date, etc. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-most-important-variance-where-you-will-be) ## [How We Improved Strategic Planning at Plansmith](https://blog.plansmith.com/how-we-improved-strategic-planning-at-plansmith) Posted by [Craig Hartman & Christine Lake](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/craig-hartman-christine-lake) on 6/12/18, 11:19 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![strategyblog](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/strategyblog.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/how-we-improved-strategic-planning-at-plansmith) As a company passionate about the value of planning, we have our own strategic plan. Like most, we would gather for a few days every year to review our mission and vision, discuss our market opportunities, develop objectives, determine action plans, and assign responsibilities. But, I am ashamed to admit, just like many companies we never really executed as well as we should for a number of reasons. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/how-we-improved-strategic-planning-at-plansmith) ## [Your budget is NOT your Strategic Plan](https://blog.plansmith.com/your-budget-is-not-your-strategic-plan) Posted by [Mike Bilyeu](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/mike-bilyeu) on 6/12/18, 9:40 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![marketing](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/marketing.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/your-budget-is-not-your-strategic-plan) We’ve heard these questions hundreds of times. “Why do we need a strategic plan? We already have a budget.” Instead of developing a plan for their organization, many banks and credit unions operate using their budget. The budgeting process is already in place, line items are easily moved from one year to the next with minor changes based on anticipated revenues and initiatives. So why isn’t this a good idea? [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/your-budget-is-not-your-strategic-plan) ## [5 Things Your Strategic Plan is Probably Missing](https://blog.plansmith.com/5-things-your-strategic-plan-is-probably-missing) Posted by [Megan Plis](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/megan-plis) on 2/23/18, 3:17 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![business-3167295_1280](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/business-3167295_1280.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/5-things-your-strategic-plan-is-probably-missing) The saddest thing I see with banks and credit unions is probably not what you'd think. It's not a lack of passion for people, or even a disparate set of products that fail to match up with customer needs. In fact, banks and credit unions excel at both of these and they play a big role in creating a unique customer experience. I could continue to list things, but you still wouldn't guess. Why? Because it's something we don't even think about it's so foreign to us. 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