After a long tenure at Ford, Krafcik joined Hyundai in 2004 as vice president of product development and strategic planning.

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"We don't build cars in research labs, " Larry Burns, GM's vice president of research, development and strategic planning, told the Free Press.

CNN: GM takes step toward fuel-cell car

Water infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region is shifting from predominantly short-term benefit planning and development, to a more strategic and long-term benefit planning concept that also addresses ecological efficiency in economic growth.

UNESCO: Water resources in the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly threatened by pollution and vulnerable to natural disasters. | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

For me, what is noteworthy about this story is that these governmental entities have the feel of public-private partnerships, effectively mixing the strategic planning of entrepreneurial government agencies with aggressive economic development and a healthy orientation toward profit and efficiency.

FORBES: Thoughts on China

Up until May 2013, twelve 5-day workshops will be held to train professionals on several themes such as organizational development, change processes, learning, sustainability, institutional diagnostics, strategic planning, and elaboration of projects.

UNESCO: Joint UNESCO and TV GLOBO initiative offers management training for NGOs and institutions | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

The Native American Agriculture and Food Roundtable served as a forum for leaders and experts to contribute ideas for fostering community and agricultural economic development with a particular focus on Leasing, Technical Assistance, Strategic Business Planning and Access to Capital, Credit and other Financial Resources.

WHITEHOUSE: Blog Posts Related to the Native American Community

The story also illustrates the key advantages of planning for the long term versus short-term strategic development.

FORBES: Thoughts on China