Leading the PCA into the future
After a period of considerable change for the PCA, earlier this year the Board agreed that it wanted to review the PCA’s strategic plan and how we wanted to get there.
As a result of an intensive strategy session with an external facilitator and input from current and past Board members and senior members of the executive, Board agreed its mission and vision. Our mission is split into four pillars:
- Assured Standards and Consumer Confidence
- Members’ Business Growth
- High Quality Career Progression.
These three pillars are supported by a fourth, Influencing and communicating, aiming to increase awareness of all our activities.
This mission and vision demonstrate to members and stakeholders the areas we focus on and the impact we would like to see. Importantly, this also provides the Board and executive with the clarity to explore opportunities where they serve our vision and to turn down opportunities where necessary.
2025 Strategy
At its October meeting, Board will discuss the activities we can take in both the short and the medium term to help us deliver against our mission and vision. We will review proposed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and a supporting business plan outlining how the activities we undertake will help us achieve these KPIs.
Feedback from our regional meetings earlier this year, had been that members wanted a better understanding of the PCA’s activities and more input into those which take place. Our strategy, which we will share openly with members, aims to do this.
Please do join us at the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) and Members’ Meeting on Thursday 7 November, where Chief Executive Sarah Garry will provide an overview of our KPIs and 2025 business plan.
Member Engagement
The PCA is a members organisation and as such it must be shaped by members and benefit our members. We therefore want to encourage members to attend our General Meetings and Members’ Meetings, to have their say.
We also hope that attending PCA events, members will share the day-to-day issues affecting their businesses and where change may be needed. For example, the introduction of new legislation or external guidance, may mean the activities the PCA deliver need to change.
To help us stay abreast of these external changes, our sector group meetings have seen a new focus, with each group now agreeing a list of priorities for the executive to focus on over the coming six to 12 months.
The activities that you propose in these meetings will contribute to our strategy. With clear Terms of Reference now in place for each group, and with Board representation at each meeting, this regular communication between members, executive and Board will enable collaborative working which helps us jointly achieve our objectives.
Clear Reporting
Once agreed, Sarah and the team will provide the Board with regular reports on whether our KPIs are being achieved. This ‘check and challenge’ between the Board and executive, allows us to see the progress being made. Progress will also be reported on at members’ meetings, the AGM and in the annual report.
Regular Feedback
Although we have now developed our mission, vision and strategy, it doesn’t mean it is complete. Our strategy and business plan will need to flex, to adapt to the changing world around us.
The EGM and members’ meeting on Thursday 7 November is an ideal time to provide your thoughts but if you are unable to attend, please continue to feed your thoughts on our future direction to myself or Sarah.