Strategic Thinking, Analysis, and Planning

About the Course

The 5-day interactive Strategic Thinking, Analysis & Business Planning training course offers delegates a robust and practical framework designed to empower them to formulate, develop, and execute plans to achieve strategic objectives and bring their vision to fruition. Providing actionable insights equips individuals with the tools needed to transcend the mere reaction to day-to-day challenges, enabling them to cultivate a proactive mindset and foster organisational resilience in the face of change. It places a significant emphasis on external environmental analysis, empowering delegates to understand and respond to political, economic, social, and technological factors shaping organisational strategies. An in-depth exploration of resources, capabilities, and competitive advantage will enhance delegates' ability to optimise human capital and financial resources strategically. It also guides delegates through formulating effective business and corporate strategies, utilising frameworks like Porter's Generic Strategies and the Ansoff Growth Matrix.

On the last day, delegates will be dedicated to evaluating and implementing strategies, providing practical tools for performance measurement, gap analysis, and strategic decision-making. Central to the effectiveness of this training programme is its comprehensive strategic management system, meticulously crafted to guide delegates through each step necessary for crafting an effective strategy. Moreover, it provides invaluable guidance on translating this strategy into a well-structured business plan. This business plan is the cornerstone for achieving strategic alignment, harmonising operational plans and individual objectives with the overarching business model.

By participating in this training programme, individuals gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills that enable them to navigate complexities with confidence. They learn to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop strategies that propel their organisations toward success. Ultimately, it fosters a culture of strategic thinking, equipping delegates to make informed decisions and drive meaningful change within their teams and organisations.

Core Objectives

The delegates will achieve the following objectives: 

• Master the art of developing comprehensive plans to achieve personal and organisational goals, tailored to the organisation's specific needs and objectives
• Cultivate strategic thinking within the organisation, empowering yourself, and your team to anticipate challenges, seize opportunities, and navigate complexities with confidence
• Craft a strategic plan that serves as a roadmap for the organisation's future success, aligning every facet of the operations with overarching vision
• Identify the fundamental principles and mechanisms that underpin successful strategy implementation, ensuring seamless execution, and optimal outcomes
• Develop actionable and measurable plans of action that drive tangible results, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
• Gain a deep understanding of the organisation's underlying business model and its interplay with the strategic initiatives, enabling to make informed decisions and leverage resources effectively
• Acquire knowledge of strategic resources, capabilities, and competitive advantage specific to organisations, including human capital management and financial resource optimisation
• Enable to formulate and implement strategic choices, business strategies, and corporate-level strategies
• Equip with tools and methodologies for evaluating strategic options, measuring performance, conducting gap analyses, and implementing effective strategies

Training Approach

This training course is meticulously crafted to foster delegate engagement and active participation. Through a blend of dynamic teaching methodologies, including concise lectures, interactive group discussions, hands-on exercises, real-world case studies, and targeted breakout sessions, delegates are encouraged to immerse themselves in the learning process. Each element is thoughtfully designed to stimulate critical thinking, collaboration, and skill development. At the heart of the programme experience is a comprehensive training manual thoughtfully curated to be both practical and user-friendly. Serving as a valuable resource throughout the programme, the manual empowers delegates to easily grasp complex concepts and effectively apply newfound knowledge in their professional endeavors. Delegates will emerge equipped with the requisite skills and motivation to not only conceptualise but also design, develop, and execute robust strategies. With a focus on simplicity and efficacy, delegates are empowered to create impactful strategies that drive organisational success.

The Attendees

This training course offers an essential foundation to equip individuals for increased responsibility and advancement into senior positions. Whether preparing to assume strategic responsibilities, recently undertaking such roles, or seeking to enhance existing expertise, it provides valuable insights and skills necessary for professional growth and success in leadership roles.

Likewise, it will be valuable to the professionals but not limited to the following:

• Business Managers
• Team Leaders
• Process Leaders
• Functional Managers
• Project Managers
• Newly-appointed Senior Managers
• Project Managers
• Engineers
• Operations Managers
• Lawyers
• Public Policy Managers
• Health Services Managers
• IT Managers
• Supply Chain Managers
• Quality Assurance Managers
• Research and Development Managers
• Customer Relations Managers
• Compliance Managers

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: STRATEGIC THINKING AND PLANNING ESSENTIALS

• What's the Need for Being Strategic?
• Strategic Thinking and Why to Use it?
• Strategic Planning and its Necessity
• The Essence of Strategy – Core Concept and Definition of Terms
• The Difference between Good Strategy and Bad Strategy
• How to Think Strategically? – Practical Techniques
• Strategic and Operational Goals – The Significance and Difference 

DAY TWO: EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

• Understanding the Importance and Value of a “Business Model”
• Vision, Values, Mission and Goals – Strategy as Perspective
• Political Environmental Analysis
• Examining the Influence of Political Factors on Organisations
• Analysing Economic Trends Impacting Organisations’ Finances
• Understanding the Fiscal Implications on Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation
• Social and Cultural Impact on Strategies
• Exploring Societal and Cultural Factors Influencing Organisational Strategies
• Assessing the Social Context for Service Delivery and Organisational Mission
• Technological Disruptions
• Identifying and Evaluating the Impact of Technological Advancements
• Strategies for Leveraging Technology for Improved Efficiency and Service Delivery
• Industry Analysis: Porter’s 5-force Analysis

DAY THREE: RESOURCES, CAPABILITIES, AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE 

• Strategic Resources and Capabilities
• Resources and Capabilities: The Key Issues
• Foundations of Resources and Capabilities
• Human Capital Management
• Financial Resource Optimisation
• Resource-based Strategy (RBV)
• Strategic Capabilities and Competitive Advantage
• VRIO and Value Chain Analyses
• Strategic Analysis Summary: SWOT Analysis

DAY FOUR: BUSINESS AND CORPORATE STRATEGY

• Levels of Strategy: Corporate, Business, and Functional
• Competitive Strategy – Strategy as Position
• Emergent Strategies – Strategy as Patterns
• Uncertainty and Scenarios – Strategy as Plans
• Strategic Choice – How to Select the Best Strategy?
• Translating Strategy with Strategy Maps and Balanced Scorecards
• Porter’s Generic Strategies
• Corporate Level Strategy Options
• Strategy Direction
• Ansoff Growth Matrix
• Corporate Diversification
• Portfolio Matrices
• BCG (or Growth/Share) Matrix

DAY FIVE: EVALUATING STRATEGIES

• Strategic Options Revisited
• Performance Measures
• Performance Comparisons
• Gap Analysis
• Selection Criteria for Choosing Between Options
• Implementing Strategy
• The Balanced Scorecard
• Prescriptive/Intended Strategy