Strategy, Strategic Planning and Competitive Positioning
- Introduction to the seminar – structure and content
- Strategy - concept and significance
- “Competitive Positioning” versus “Blue Sky” approaches
- Achieving competitive advantage through flexibility and agility
- The interaction of strategy, structure and business processes
- Gathering information and intelligence for the SWOT analysis
- Mini-cases and group discussion – “Cost versus Differentiation”
Strategic Intent, Strategic Choice and Balancing Scorecards
- Vision and mission statements - preparing for the future
- Business analysis and contingency planning
- Strategic choice
- Converting the SWOT analysis into the “Strategy Matrix”
- Strategy formulation – programs, projects, policies
- Transforming the organization - strategy implementation and managing change
- Mini-case and group discussion – “Major strategic re-orientation”
Assessing the Current State of the Organization
- Leadership and management in relation to strategy
- Customer and market focus
- Human resources and knowledge management
- Building a strategic planning team
- Effective process management to achieve business results
- Monitoring and measuring business performance
- Mini-case and group discussion – “A market entry problem”
Strategic Planning Best Practice Whilst Avoiding the Pitfalls
- The strategy life-cycle and the problem of strategic drift
- Getting innovative thinking into the organization
- The potentially negative dimensions of success
- How to avoid "paralysis by analysis"
- Overcoming inability to evaluate fresh ideas, denying the truth and thinking inside the box
- The critical importance of good Planning Team dynamics
- Mini-case and group discussion – “How and why a good organization can go bad”
Personal Strategic Planning
- Applying strategic tools and techniques to the individual
- Personal goal setting, creating a personal strategic plan
- Implementing change - achieving progress as a strategic manager
- The mix of competencies and personal skills required in 21st century business
- Executing strategy - how to break it down and get it done
- Developing inspiration and gathering support
- Overcoming adversity by leveraging your skills and building on success
- Conclusion - a personal role in the strategic planning and goal setting processes