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HOW OFTEN SHOULD THE STRATEGIC PLAN BE REVIEWED AND UPDATED TO ENSURE ITS EFFECTIVENESS

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Strategic plans are designed to help organizations achieve long-term goals and objectives, but for a strategic plan to remain relevant and guide an organization effectively, it needs to be reviewed on a regular basis and updated when necessary. The optimal frequency for reviewing and updating a strategic plan can vary depending on factors like the organization’s industry, size, resources, and rate of change in its external environment. Most experts recommend conducting comprehensive reviews of the strategic plan at least once a year, with some interim reviews throughout the year as well.

Conducting an annual review allows an organization to assess progress made against the strategic plan on a regular cadence. It provides an opportunity to revisit goals, objectives, strategies, and initiatives outlined in the plan and evaluate whether they are still appropriate given changes that may have occurred internally or externally over the past year. An annual review meeting typically involves gathering key stakeholders from across the organization who were involved in developing the original plan. During the meeting, participants discuss what strategic priorities and tactics worked well over the past 12 months and which may need refining. They also look at whether the overall vision and mission still align with the organization’s current direction or if updates are warranted. Data on key performance indicators is analyzed to determine what strategic priorities drove the most success and where improvements are needed. The annual review culminates with an assessment of whether any elements of the plan, such as timelines, budgets, or departmental responsibilities need modification to optimize results over the coming year.

While an annual comprehensive review provides the necessary periodic check-in, some organizations also find value in conducting interim reviews on a quarterly or biannual basis. These shorter check-ins allow for more frequent monitoring of progress against objectives and timelines outlined in the plan. They provide opportunities to course correct sooner if implementation is lagging or external factors arise requiring an adjustment of strategic priorities mid-year. During interim reviews, participants typically focus the discussion on a subset of strategic initiatives, priorities or key performance indicators to keep the meetings efficient. Any recommended changes uncovered during an interim review would then be documented and fully evaluated during the next annual review meeting when a comprehensive refresh is conducted if needed.

For organizations operating in dynamic industries or markets that change rapidly, it may even make sense to review the strategic plan on a semi-annual basis to ensure it remains optimally aligned. Reviews that are conducted too frequently, such as monthly, run the risk of disrupting implementation efforts by constantly refining priorities before they have had enough time to take hold. There also needs to be a balance between reviewing frequently enough to stay nimble without expending too many resources on the review process itself.

The timing of annual reviews is also an important consideration. Most experts recommend scheduling the annual strategic plan review meeting towards the end of the fiscal or calendar year, typically in the last quarter. This allows time following the meeting to refine implementation plans for the coming year based on insights from the review. It also provides a natural checkpoint at the close of the year to evaluate performance and progress made against the existing plan. Some organizations find value in conducting a portion of the annual review mid-year as well to incorporate any learnings or adjustments into the second half implementation.

Regardless of review frequency or timing, it is critical that strategic plan reviews involve gathering input from leaders and contributors across all divisions and levels of the organization. Getting diverse perspectives is important for identifying opportunities or risks that may not be as obvious from an executive level view. The review process also needs to incorporate analysis of both qualitative and quantitative performance data to ensure any recommended updates to strategies or priorities are firmly grounded in facts rather objective opinions. With regular, systematic reviews built into the process, an organization’s strategic plan has the best chance of remaining an effective roadmap to drive long-term success even as internal or external conditions inevitably change over time.

Most experts agree that reviewing a strategic plan at minimum on an annual basis, with some organizations benefitting from additional interim reviews quarterly or biannually, provides the necessary cadence to evaluate progress and ensure the plan remains optimally aligned. The overriding goal of maintaining a regular review schedule is to continuously refine implementation strategies based on learnings so the organization can dynamically respond to opportunities while navigating challenges to stay on track with its long-term vision.

IS THERE A SPECIFIC FORMAT OR TEMPLATE THAT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED FOR THE COVER LETTER

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The cover letter is one of the most important documents of your job application package. It plays a crucial role in standing out from other applicants and convincing the employer to interview you. Therefore, it is important to craft your cover letter carefully following an appropriate format and template.

The standard cover letter format consists of 3 paragraphs – introduction, body and conclusion. It is advisable to keep your cover letter to 3 paragraphs to maintain brevity and focus on the most important details.

The first paragraph is the introduction. It should contain information like your contact details, the date, the employer’s contact details and the job title you are applying for with reference to the source from where you found about the job vacancy like a job portal or referral. Mention clearly if you are applying for a specific referred job requirement or in response to their general recruitment drive.

The body paragraph is the most important part of your cover letter. It should compellingly demonstrate why you are a perfect fit for the job and company. Start by stating why you are interested in the role and company. Research thoroughly about the company mission, vision and values and refer to them to indicate your passion and alignment with the organizational goals. Mention the key requirements for the job as stated in the job description and highlights from your experience, qualifications and skills that directly fulfill each of those requirements. Quantify your achievements and impact wherever possible with relevant metrics, figures and facts to make your statements more powerful.

Relate stories and examples from your professional background to showcase your relevant experiences and qualifications for the job. You may include how your qualifications and past accomplishments would help add value to the new role and organization. Highlight transferable skills you possess that are applicable even if you do not have direct experience in the same industry or domain. Emphasis should be on the values you can add to the organization rather than just responsibilities handled in the previous roles.

The conclusion paragraph should thank the employer for considering your application and re-emphasize your enthusiasm and suitability for the role one more time. State that you would be delighted for a chance to discuss your candidature in more detail in an interview. Reiterate your contact information and communicate your availability for a meeting. End the letter in a positive and confident tone.

In addition to the above structure, there are some basic formatting guidelines to keep in mind:

Use the same font style and size as your resume, preferably Times New Roman 12.

The cover letter should be addressed to a named contact person like the Hiring Manager instead of a generic salutation. Research to find the correct contact.

One page is the ideal length for a cover letter. Keep it to 3-4 paragraphs with single spacing.

Use the same header as your resume with your name and contact details.

Proofread thoroughly for typos, grammatical and spelling mistakes before mailing. Get it checked by another person as well.

Use strong, compelling and engaging language to convince the employer why you are their best choice candidate.

Thank the employer for taking the time to review your application at the beginning and end of the letter.

Customize each cover letter for different jobs with relevant details rather than generic content.

Attach your cover letter in PDF format along with your resume when applying online or sharing via email.

Print the cover letter on high quality white or cream paper using black ink if sending it via post with your resume.

Following an appropriate cover letter template and structure along with formatting guidelines will help you create a professional and persuasive cover letter to market yourself effectively for the desired job or internship opportunity. Remember, your cover letter serves as the first impression and is one of the primary factors determining if an employer takes interest in your candidature enough to review your resume. So craft it carefully highlighting the most compelling reasons why you are the ideal candidate to be invited for an interview. With practice, you can master the art of writing polished and results-oriented cover letters that get you noticed by potential employers.

KIDNEY DISEASE: 10 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD KNOW

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  1. Fever – A fever is one of the most common signs that something isn’t right with your body. A fever is defined as a body temperature that is higher than normal. For adults, a fever is usually considered 100.4°F (38°C) or above. Fevers occur when the body’s temperature regulating system is working hard to fight an infection or illness caused by bacteria or viruses. Fevers help the immune system work better by speeding up chemical reactions in white blood cells that fight infection and illness. Fevers can also cause unpleasant symptoms like shivering, chills, body aches, weakness, and fatigue. Seek medical advice if fevers are very high above 102°F (39°C) or last longer than 3 days.
  2. Fatigue – Feeling excessively tired and lacking energy is something we all experience from time to time. Ongoing, extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest could signal an underlying medical condition. Fatigue can be a symptom of a wide variety of illnesses from infections to cancer, anemia, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and more. It’s important to see your doctor to determine the cause if fatigue suddenly comes on or disrupts your daily activities and sleep does not help improve fatigue over several weeks. Treats may include medications, lifestyle changes, addressing stress or sleep issues, or treating the underlying cause.
  3. Shortness of breath – Being short of breath or feeling like you cannot get enough air is never normal. Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, may indicate problems with the lungs, heart, or other medical conditions. It can be a chronic or acute symptom depending on the cause. Acute shortness of breath that comes on suddenly may signal a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, asthma attack, or anaphylaxis. Chronic shortness of breath is more gradual and may arise from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, obesity, lung tumors or fibrosis. Seeking prompt medical care is important since the causes can range in severity from minor issues to life-threatening emergencies.
  4. Headache – Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints. Most headaches are benign and related to tension, stress, or sinuses. New onset headaches or changes in usual headache patterns should not be ignored. Headaches could potentially signal underlying issues like tumors, bleeding in the brain, strokes, aneurysms, meningitis or encephalitis. Pay attention to location, quality, severity, triggers and other symptoms like visual changes, nausea, dizziness. Seek urgent care if headaches are the worst ever or accompanied by fever, neck stiffness, confusion, weakness or seizures. Recurring headaches or ones not relieved with over-the-counter medications also warrant an evaluation by a doctor.
  5. Cough – An occasional cough is normal and helps clear the lungs/airways. But persistent coughs deserve medical attention to check for potential causes including conditions affecting the lungs, airways and heart. Coughs are categorized as either acute (lasting less than 3 weeks) or chronic (lasting more than 8 weeks). Common causes of acute coughs include colds and seasonal respiratory infections. Chronic coughs may signal underlying lung diseases like bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, lung cancer or heart failure. Heavy coughing that produces colored mucus or sputum could indicate pneumonia. Persistent nighttime coughs may be a sign of GERD. When coughing is accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath or coughing up blood, emergency evaluation is necessary as it could point to a pulmonary embolism or other serious condition.
  6. Changes in bowel habits – Most people develop a regular pattern of bowel movements depending on diet and lifestyle. Significant changes from your normal routine like diarrhea or constipation persisting longer than a few days could be a red flag necessitating medical evaluation. Diarrhea is typically harmless if caused by viruses or a change in diet/medication. But it could potentially indicate infectious diseases like C. difficile, E.coli and parasites. Persistent diarrhea accompanied by fever or bloody stools demands immediate medical assessment as this could signify inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal infection or cancer. Constipation, on the other hand, can be attributed to low-fiber diet, inadequate hydration or medications. Severe constipation unresponsive to lifestyle measures may indicate underlying issues like thyroid disorders, neurological conditions and intestinal blockages that require medical treatment. Therefore pay attention when regularity is disturbed for more than 2 weeks.
  7. Skin rashes or changes – Skin is the largest organ of the body and functions as a barrier against infection and environmental damage. Breaks in the skinbarrier or changes in skin appearance can signal underlying conditions. New or changing moles or lesions could indicate skin cancers and should be evaluated by a dermatologist. Rashes with specific characteristics may signify medical issues like measles (red raised bumps and spots), chickenpox (blisters), drug reactions, autoimmune disorders, infections etc. Rashes accompanied by fever, joint pain or swelling could point to illnesses like Lyme disease and need prompt treatment. Other skin changes indicating medical attention include ulcers that do not heal, swelling, jaundice, pallor, bruising easily or reddish skin lesions. Prompt evaluation by a doctor is prudent for identifying treatable conditions causing skin symptoms to prevent progression or complications.
  8. Pain – Pain is a protective mechanism that alerts us to potential injury or damage. But persistent or unexplained pain also deserves timely evaluation by a healthcare practitioner. Sudden severe pain may indicate serious medical emergencies like heart attacks, pulmonary embolism, appendicitis and pancreatitis. Evaluating any new areas of pain is prudent to determine serious causes like fractures, hernias, muscle tears, nerve impingement and vascular issues. Chronic pain lasting more than 3 months also needs assessment to rule out etiologies like arthritis, tumors, autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders. Determine if pain is localized (to one area) or diffuse, made worse by movement/position change or unrelated to physical activity. Note factors relieving/aggravating pain. This history gives clues to the cause when describing to your doctor. Promptly seek care as appropriate to prevent avoidable complications or damage.
  9. Unexplained weight changes – Losing or gaining significant weight without trying requires investigation. Sudden weight loss could signify medical issues affecting appetite and absorption like cancers, ulcers, thyroid abnormalities and infections. On the other hand, sudden weight gain could be related to overeating due to emotional reasons or could point to medical causes like Cushing’s syndrome, medications or underlying illnesses affecting hormones. Even a 5-10% change in body weight over a period of 6 months in either direction should prompt evaluation. Monitor changes in weight, appetite and your intake over a 1-2 week period. Share your observations with your doctor to identify root causes requiring treatment. Appropriate assessment leads to timely intervention for potentially serious conditions before significant harm is caused.
  10. Bleeding or bruising easily – Blood acts as a transport system within our bodies, circulating nutrients, oxygen, wastes and defenses. So observing unexplained bleeding or bruising demands consideration. Some causes for this can be minor like medication side effects or vitamin deficiencies. But it may also represent serious underlying medical issues such as blood clotting disorders, bleeding disorders, liver or kidney disease or cancer. Look out for excessive bleeding from minor cuts, heavy menstrual periods, bloody or black stools, blood in urine, nosebleeds, tooth extractions or injuries that bleed profusely or do not stop. Appearance of unexpected bruises or collections of blood under skin also need checking. Evaluation by a doctor via basic blood tests helps identify correct causes and provide proper treatment or management as needed before worsening occurs. Neglecting bleeding problems can lead to serious health consequences over time.

Being attuned to your body’s signs and symptoms helps recognize when something is amiss, catching diseases early. But try not to worry unnecessarily as many symptoms have harmless explanations too. When in doubt about any new or persistent symptom/s, consult a healthcare provider promptly to determine causes and receive appropriate management. Also mention any related symptoms, personal or family medical history which can assist in arriving at accurate diagnoses. Catching conditions early offers the best chances of receiving effective treatment, avoiding complications and maintaining well-being.