Expert Strategic Planning Advisory Services Guide

IdeaGuides helps leadership teams turn complex conversations into clear direction, shared priorities, and actionable strategic plans. Through expert facilitation, structured ideation, and inclusive decision-making, your group can align around mission, values, future vision, goals, and tactics—whether you meet on-site, off-site, or remotely with experienced guides who keep every voice engaged and every focused outcome practical.

Executive team in a strategic planning workshop

Our Strategic Planning Services

Focused facilitation and advisory options that help teams align, decide, innovate, and translate strategy into action.

Strategic Planning

Facilitators guide teams through a structured, creative process to define mission, values, vision, goals, and tactics, resulting in a clear plan aligned around strategy and action.

Executive Retreats

Customized executive or department retreats help leaders address planning, decisions, problem-solving, team building, and creativity through memorable formats designed from interviews and surveys.

Decision Facilitation

Guided problem-solving sessions help groups analyze challenges, evaluate options, make collaborative decisions, and create viable solutions using proven processes such as CPS, SPRINT, and Aha! methods.

Messaging Workshops

Collaborative workshops establish unified strategic messages by exploring corporate, customer, product, and media profiles, then documenting consensus in a practical output report.

Ideation Sessions

Facilitated brainstorming sessions generate ideas for products, services, marketing, or organizational challenges using tools like brainwriting, force-field analysis, storyboarding, and action planning.

Team Development

Tailored team workshops improve alignment, trust, communication, role clarity, conflict management, and shared values so groups can execute strategic priorities more effectively.

Facilitator guiding executives through strategic planning

Our Guided Strategic Planning Process

Clarify Objectives And Organizational Context

Before the session, IdeaGuides gathers context through interviews, surveys, and planning conversations. Facilitators clarify objectives, participant needs, desired outputs, and meeting format so the advisory process is tailored to your organization rather than a generic template.

Reflect On Mission And Values

Analyze Current Reality With Structure

Envision The Future And Priorities

Build Tactics And Action Commitments

Trusted By Leaders

Client Success Stories

Organizations trust IdeaGuides to turn complex meetings into alignment, momentum, and documented next steps.

"Our staff had the opportunity to work with Bruce in a one day retreat, focusing on communication and collaboration between the various staff deparments. Bruce really helped us define our strengths and weaknesses and set our goals for improvement for the school year and beyond. At our monthly meetings, the..."

Christine

"I have been to countless workshops on team building. However, yours was without a question one of the best I have ever participated in. Your exercises were user-friendly, fun to do, and most importantly, truly served their educational purposes...Furthermore, I felt that your group facilitation skills were among the best..."

Deborah

"Great day- all smiles from everyone I've seen who participated."

Michael Lynch

"I want you to know it was a pleasure getting to work with you and see you deliver this very beneficial seminar. I appreciate all the time and effort you put into ensuring this piece was suitable for Quorum."

Patrick Ursino

"I recommend IdeaGuides wholeheartedly"

Mike Faith

"It was a delight working with you. We captured 22 final ideas (and over 700 initial ones) and got great feedback from both faculty and students on the session."

Dr. Christopher Hewitt

"Really energizing session, got all of the objectives we were aiming for, better participant engagement than I expected"

Immy Sinclear

"Thank you for your hard work in our Messaging Workshop yesterday. As always, your mastery of the room was beyond impressive. Feedback from the client has been terrific. Everyone was just so blown away that you were able to maintain not just interest, but enthusiasm for six plus hours."

Eve

"I am getting great feedback from staff who are using the tools they received during the training. Many staff informed me that after leaving the class they immediately utilized what they learned to deal with upset or confused citizens. The class was great and we may need your services again..."

Sandra Smith

"Our management group came together around a shared vision. We are currently integrating two companies into one. This meeting helped reduce the us and them to we, increased optimism and teamwork and built the confidence regarding the direction of the company. I would recommend this service. The tools and methodology..."

Paul Frey

"Our staff had the opportunity to work with Bruce in a one day retreat, focusing on communication and collaboration between the various staff deparments. Bruce really helped us define our strengths and weaknesses and set our goals for improvement for the school year and beyond. At our monthly meetings, the..."

Christine

"I have been to countless workshops on team building. However, yours was without a question one of the best I have ever participated in. Your exercises were user-friendly, fun to do, and most importantly, truly served their educational purposes...Furthermore, I felt that your group facilitation skills were among the best..."

Deborah

"Great day- all smiles from everyone I've seen who participated."

Michael Lynch

"I want you to know it was a pleasure getting to work with you and see you deliver this very beneficial seminar. I appreciate all the time and effort you put into ensuring this piece was suitable for Quorum."

Patrick Ursino

"I recommend IdeaGuides wholeheartedly"

Mike Faith

"It was a delight working with you. We captured 22 final ideas (and over 700 initial ones) and got great feedback from both faculty and students on the session."

Dr. Christopher Hewitt

"Really energizing session, got all of the objectives we were aiming for, better participant engagement than I expected"

Immy Sinclear

"Thank you for your hard work in our Messaging Workshop yesterday. As always, your mastery of the room was beyond impressive. Feedback from the client has been terrific. Everyone was just so blown away that you were able to maintain not just interest, but enthusiasm for six plus hours."

Eve

"I am getting great feedback from staff who are using the tools they received during the training. Many staff informed me that after leaving the class they immediately utilized what they learned to deal with upset or confused citizens. The class was great and we may need your services again..."

Sandra Smith

"Our management group came together around a shared vision. We are currently integrating two companies into one. This meeting helped reduce the us and them to we, increased optimism and teamwork and built the confidence regarding the direction of the company. I would recommend this service. The tools and methodology..."

Paul Frey

"Our staff had the opportunity to work with Bruce in a one day retreat, focusing on communication and collaboration between the various staff deparments. Bruce really helped us define our strengths and weaknesses and set our goals for improvement for the school year and beyond. At our monthly meetings, the..."

Christine

"I have been to countless workshops on team building. However, yours was without a question one of the best I have ever participated in. Your exercises were user-friendly, fun to do, and most importantly, truly served their educational purposes...Furthermore, I felt that your group facilitation skills were among the best..."

Deborah

"Great day- all smiles from everyone I've seen who participated."

Michael Lynch

"I want you to know it was a pleasure getting to work with you and see you deliver this very beneficial seminar. I appreciate all the time and effort you put into ensuring this piece was suitable for Quorum."

Patrick Ursino

"I recommend IdeaGuides wholeheartedly"

Mike Faith

"It was a delight working with you. We captured 22 final ideas (and over 700 initial ones) and got great feedback from both faculty and students on the session."

Dr. Christopher Hewitt

"Really energizing session, got all of the objectives we were aiming for, better participant engagement than I expected"

Immy Sinclear

"Thank you for your hard work in our Messaging Workshop yesterday. As always, your mastery of the room was beyond impressive. Feedback from the client has been terrific. Everyone was just so blown away that you were able to maintain not just interest, but enthusiasm for six plus hours."

Eve

"I am getting great feedback from staff who are using the tools they received during the training. Many staff informed me that after leaving the class they immediately utilized what they learned to deal with upset or confused citizens. The class was great and we may need your services again..."

Sandra Smith

"Our management group came together around a shared vision. We are currently integrating two companies into one. This meeting helped reduce the us and them to we, increased optimism and teamwork and built the confidence regarding the direction of the company. I would recommend this service. The tools and methodology..."

Paul Frey
The IdeaGuides Difference

Why Choose IdeaGuides?

IdeaGuides combines expert facilitation with practical tools that help groups align and act.

Experience

Founded in 1999, IdeaGuides brings seasoned judgment to complex planning conversations.

Expert Guides

IAF members, certified facilitators, trainers, authors, and coaches guide every engagement.

Action Focus

Sessions are designed to produce clear decisions, documented priorities, and usable action plans.

Collaboration

Interactive methods ensure participation, stronger buy-in, and more creative ideas per minute.

Meet The IdeaGuides Team

Experienced facilitators guiding productive decisions and strategic alignment.

Portrait of Bruce E Honig, Chief Executive Facilitator and Master Trainer at IdeaGuides

Bruce E Honig

Chief Executive Facilitator & Master Trainer

Bruce E. Honig is the founder and Chief Executive Facilitator & Master Trainer at IdeaGuides, bringing over 30+ years of professional facilitation and training experience to organizations across California and nationwide. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Bruce leads the IdeaGuides team with a deep commitment to collaborative idea generation and productive decision-making. As a professional facilitator and member of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF), he has guided more than 150 clients through strategic planning, team alignment, and innovation sessions. Bruce is also a prolific author, having written over five books on innovation, team building, and meetings, making him a recognized thought leader in the facilitation industry.

Portrait of Adam Shames, Master Facilitator and Trainer at IdeaGuides

Adam Shames

Master Facilitator & Trainer

Adam Shames serves as a Master Facilitator & Trainer at IdeaGuides, bringing deep expertise in team development, innovation, and collaborative group processes to clients across California and the nation. With a strong foundation in experiential learning and creative facilitation, Adam designs and leads highly engaging sessions that inspire teams to think differently and work more effectively together. He is the author of Teambreakers, a book focused on innovation and team building, reflecting his passion for helping organizations break through barriers and unlock their collective potential. Adam's facilitation style emphasizes participation, creativity, and practical outcomes that teams can immediately apply in the workplace.

Portrait of Michael Wong, Certified Facilitator at IdeaGuides

Michael Wong

Certified Facilitator

Michael Wong is a Certified Facilitator at IdeaGuides with a specialized focus on supporting non-profit organizations through facilitated meetings, strategic planning sessions, and collaborative decision-making processes. His understanding of the unique dynamics, missions, and challenges that non-profits face allows him to design sessions that are both deeply relevant and highly productive for these organizations. Michael brings professional rigor and genuine dedication to every engagement, helping non-profit teams build alignment, clarify goals, and move forward with confidence. As part of the experienced IdeaGuides team, Michael upholds the firm's core values of collaboration, involvement, and creativity in every session he leads.

Portrait of Jeanne-Marie Grumet, Senior Facilitator and Trainer at IdeaGuides

Jeanne-Marie Grumet

Senior Facilitator & Trainer

Jeanne-Marie Grumet is a Senior Facilitator & Trainer at IdeaGuides, contributing her extensive experience and professional expertise to help teams and organizations achieve greater alignment, engagement, and productivity. As a senior member of the IdeaGuides facilitation team, she brings a polished, skilled approach to strategic planning sessions, offsites, retreats, and team building workshops. Jeanne-Marie is committed to creating inclusive, participatory environments where every voice is heard and every participant contributes meaningfully to outcomes. Her work reflects IdeaGuides' mission of guiding clients toward collaborative and productive idea generation and decision-making across a wide variety of industries and organizational contexts.

Portrait of Alice Cochran, Expert Facilitator and Trainer at IdeaGuides

Alice Cochran

Expert Facilitator & Trainer

Alice Cochran is an Expert Facilitator & Trainer at IdeaGuides with a distinguished background in meeting facilitation and group process design. A published author of more than two books on meetings, Alice brings authoritative knowledge and practical wisdom to every session she facilitates. Her expertise helps organizations transform how they run meetings — making them more focused, efficient, and results-oriented. Alice's facilitation approach is grounded in best practices and years of hands-on experience guiding executive teams, senior leadership groups, and cross-functional teams toward clearer decisions and stronger collaboration. She is a trusted resource for organizations seeking to dramatically improve the quality and productivity of their group interactions.

Portrait of Ken Homer, Facilitator and Trainer at IdeaGuides

Ken Homer

Facilitator & Trainer

Ken Homer is a Facilitator & Trainer at IdeaGuides with specialized expertise in large group facilitation methodologies, including Open Space Technology and World Café. His deep knowledge of these powerful participatory approaches makes him an invaluable resource for organizations looking to engage large numbers of stakeholders in meaningful, self-organizing conversations that generate real insights and actionable outcomes. Ken's facilitation style is adaptive, inclusive, and highly effective at bringing out the collective intelligence of groups of all sizes. He works across a variety of sectors to help teams and communities explore complex challenges, build shared understanding, and move forward with clarity and commitment.

Portrait of Ray Madaghiele, Master Facilitator, Trainer and Coach at IdeaGuides

Ray Madaghiele

Master Facilitator, Trainer & Coach

Ray Madaghiele is a Master Facilitator, Trainer & Coach at IdeaGuides with deep expertise in strategic planning facilitation and organizational development. As the author of a book on strategic planning, Ray brings both scholarly depth and practical experience to his work with leadership teams, helping organizations clarify their vision, align around priorities, and build actionable roadmaps for the future. His coaching background adds an additional dimension to his facilitation, enabling him to support both group processes and individual leadership development simultaneously. Ray is known for his ability to guide organizations through complex strategic conversations with clarity, structure, and lasting impact.

Portrait of Dave Blum, Treasure Hunt Maven and Team Building Facilitator at IdeaGuides

Dave Blum

Treasure Hunt Maven & Team Building Facilitator

Dave Blum is IdeaGuides' Treasure Hunt Maven & Team Building Facilitator, bringing a uniquely creative and energizing approach to team engagement and collaboration. As the author of Dr. Clue Build-A-Treasure-Hunt, Dave is a recognized expert in using experiential treasure hunt activities to build team cohesion, communication, and camaraderie in a fun and memorable way. His programs are designed to break down silos, strengthen relationships, and foster the kind of trust and teamwork that translates directly back to the workplace. Dave's innovative facilitation style makes him a go-to resource for organizations looking for dynamic, out-of-the-ordinary team building experiences that deliver real results.

Portrait of Lee Gimpel, Master Facilitator at IdeaGuides

Lee Gimpel

Master Facilitator

Lee Gimpel is a Master Facilitator at IdeaGuides, bringing a high level of skill and professionalism to every meeting, workshop, and retreat he facilitates. With a command of advanced facilitation techniques, Lee helps teams and organizations move through complex discussions with focus and efficiency, ensuring that every session produces meaningful outcomes and that participants feel heard and engaged throughout the process. His work spans a wide range of industries and organizational contexts, from strategic planning and alignment sessions to innovation workshops and leadership offsites. Lee embodies IdeaGuides' commitment to guiding groups toward their best ideas and most important decisions with expertise and care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a strategic planning advisor do?

A strategic planning advisor helps leadership teams clarify where the organization is, where it wants to go, and how it will get there. IdeaGuides does this through facilitated conversations that define mission, values, vision, goals, priorities, and tactics. The advisor also keeps discussion productive, encourages participation, documents outcomes, and helps the group reach practical decisions.

How long does strategic planning facilitation take?

Who should attend a strategic planning session?

Can strategic planning advisory services be delivered remotely?

What deliverables come from the planning process?

Do you facilitate executive retreats for strategy work?

How do you keep strategic planning meetings productive?

What makes IdeaGuides different from other advisors?

Still Have Strategy Questions?

Get practical guidance for your next planning session.

Areas We Serve

IdeaGuides supports organizations on-site, off-site, and remotely across California and major U.S. markets for strategic planning engagements.

Nationwide

Service Area

On-site & Remote

Session Formats

25+ Years

Experience

Can We Support Your Team?

Ask about on-site, off-site, or remote facilitation options.

Certified & Trusted

Awards and Recognition

International Association of Facilitators member badge

IAF Member

Professional facilitation membership supporting ethical practice.

Certified facilitator trust badge

Certified Facilitators

Skilled guides trained in productive group process.

Published authors recognition badge

Published Authors

Authors on innovation, meetings, and strategy.

Ready To Guide Your Next Strategy?

Share your goals, timing, group size, and preferred format. An IdeaGuides facilitator will help shape the right strategic planning engagement.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at 1.415.479.2028. You can also send us a quick email at bruce@IdeaGuides.com.