February 11th, 2019
by Dominic Sims, William Bryant

Strategic planning is essential for business success. Within today’s competitive business environment, businesses, organizations and associations need strategic planning to survive and flourish. This year, the International Code Council is embarking on a 2025 strategic planning process — an update to its Vision 20|20 document — which will help prepare the association for the next five years and beyond. Consulting firm Minding Your Business has been contracted to lead the project.

As a member association, we are focused on providing the best services for our membership. As such, the updated strategic plan will seek feedback from all our key stakeholders – including Code Council members, board members, partners and staff – and will entail phone interviews, surveys, small work groups and a visioning workshop. The Code Council Board of Directors will approve the final plan.

Strategic planning helps establish the focus and direction of the association’s vision, mission and fundamental values; creates consensus on key issues that affect the future of the company; enhances the competitive advantage that differentiates us from others in the industry; controls resources effectively to achieve all strategic and financial objectives; minimizes risk for when there’s economic downturn or uncertainty; enhances employee motivation to help ensure successful implementation and ownership; and helps achieve long-term success in the industry and the global market. During strategic planning, we will define, assess and reappraise our mission, objectives, external business environment and internal strengths in order to make adjustments and achieve long-term success.

The Code Council first developed a long-term business plan for the newly formed association in 2004. From The Blueprint to the Future in 2004 to Blueprint 2015 and Vision 20|20 in 2014, ICC has always had a clear and well-reasoned strategic plan to guide our activities. The 2025 strategic planning process is the next step in ensuring our future success for years to come.

About the Author
Dominic Sims
Dominic Sims, CBO, is the chief executive officer of the International Code Council. He was appointed to the position in 2012. As CEO, Sims is responsible for the overall activities and financial performance of the association, including its six subsidiaries. During his 15-year tenure, Sims has also served the Code Council as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President. He has served on and/or chaired numerous national committees and task forces across a span of topics, including code development, government affairs and resiliency. Prior to his work with the Code Council, Sims served as the CEO of the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) and guided its consolidation between regional code organizations that formed the Code Council in 2003. Sims has served on the boards of SBCCI, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) and several other professional associations. Before joining SBCCI, he was Executive Director of the Palm Beach County, Florida Planning, Zoning and Building Department, where he had responsibility for comprehensive development, construction, and licensing and compliance activities for a high-growth region in the United States.
William Bryant
William R. Bryant, MCP, CBO, is the assistant director of inspections and permits for Anne Arundel County, Md. He holds several Maryland State licenses as well as ICC certifications, including Master Code Professional and Certified Building Official.