Problem:
William Lewis owns several copy shops near college campuses, known as Quick Copies. In the past, he has run his shops very informally-he likes to claim that he is successful because he doesn't think too much and that he makes most of his decisions by the "seat of his pants." Over the last five years, profits at each shop have increased between five and seven percent each year. Lewis hasn't given much thought to changing his original plans for his copy shops. However, competitors are beginning to appear near some of his shops. As a result, Lewis feels that it is time to develop a more structured approach for his business and asks you as part of your internship to research the strategic planning process. You are to prepare a one page memo on the basic steps and tasks that are involved in developing a strategic plan. Be sure to include in your memo 1) a mission statement and 2) a list of objectives that Quick Copies should seek to achieve.