The development of a strategic plan for a company in the dust suppression industry

Abstract

The general aim of this study was to develop a strategic plan for a company in the dust suppression industry. Currently there is no formal process documented or analysis done within the company regarding strategic planning due to the company being founded, extensive growth taking place year on year and the urgent need for the operations to be established, in order for the company to start selling their products and services. The study was conducted among a sample of 45 junior, middle and senior management employees within this company. The data collected from the participants were collected personally via interviews and a strategic planning questionnaire and recorded electronically by the Statistical Consultation Services at the North–West University and the data were analysed by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS V18). In addition to the structured questionnaires, management was also interviewed to assess their views on the strategic planning at the company. The results and findings indicated that there was some strategic planning actions lacking and that formal strategic planning that defines objectives and assessment of the various situations within the company, are not properly performed. The author was however able to evaluate and determine where the company is going over the next three years. The study draws a number of conclusions and makes recommendations with regard to strategic planning, one of which is that the company should follow a more structured and formalised approach.