Strategic Thinking, Analysis & Business Planning

About the Course

It is not enough in today’s business life to work hard, you should focus on what this hard working will achieve for you and for the company vision in the future? And how it will be done? What available resources do you have and can help you? The planning tools I can use for this? How can I understand the process from the top to the bottom-line and align them together? How can I inspire others and enable them to do what is required from them and achieve the set goals?

To be strategic is to be well prepared ahead of time for different eventualities. Therefore, strategic planning requires a versatile and creative 'state of mind' that has space to; foresee upcoming scenarios, perceive different scenarios, and figure out new solutions for problems and issues that may arise. Strategic thinking has become necessary for short- and long-term success at all levels. The key lies not just in individual skills but also in the ability to engage others in an ongoing strategy process.

This Strategic Thinking, Analysis & Business Planning training course will help delegates understand and practice the development of each strategic planning step. They will also explore the most essential tools and frameworks of strategic management and put them into practice.

Core Objectives

The delegates will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of strategic thinking and planning
• Explore and compare the different tools used in strategic analysis
• Assess the benefits and risks of strategic planning
• Identify and review the organisation’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives
• Understand Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Result Areas (KRAs)
• Determine what causes the disconnection between strategy formulation and strategy implementation
• Learn how to establish and communicate strategy and directions effectively - allocate resources, define the departmental, team, and individual goals and directions
• Know the key factors involved when implementing a strategy

Training Approach

This training course is driven by a blended learning approach and draws on various adult learning techniques such as action learning, experiential exercises, group discussions, video case studies, role play, and self-reflection activities. The resulting variety helps delegates stay engaged throughout the course, feel challenged and draw quick wins for their development. It also ensures delegates are exposed to ample opportunities to apply what they learn to the real-world challenges they face in the workplace.

The Attendees

This training course would be valuable for those looking to improve their strategic thinking and planning and put their efforts on the right path to achieve their personal goals and the company vision.

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
• Employees, Supervisors, and Managers who need to adopt a ‘strategic mindset’

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: STRATEGIC THINKING BASICS

• Overview
• Elements of Strategic Plans
• Difference between Strategic Thinking, Planning, and Implementation
• The Distinction between Strategy and Objectives
• SMARTER Goals: How to write them?
• The Helicopter View
• Benefits of Strategic Thinking
• Skills and Qualities of a Strategic Thinker
• Why Do Strategies Fail?

DAY TWO: STRATEGIC PLANNING – MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS

• Identifying the Organisation’s Values
• Designing the Organisation’s Vision
• Defining the Organisation’s Mission
• Setting the Organisation’s Objectives
• Creating a Strategic Vision

DAY THREE: IDENTIFY STRATEGIC DIRECTION

• Identifying the Key Strategic Issues for your Organisation Over the Next One, Three, and Five Years
• A Fresh Look at Your Organisation: What it does, and why?
• How Will the Findings of the Review Impact the Organisation's Strategic Direction?
• Relationship between Organisation Strategy and Brand Identity and Aligning the Two
• Conducting a Gap Analysis
• How to Complete a Successful Strategic Plan?
• PESTLE Analysis, SWOT, and Capability Analysis
• Assign Roles and Responsibilities: The right person for the right job!

DAY FOUR: STRATEGIC PLANNING AND SETTING PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES 

• Plans Review Techniques and Communicating the Progress
• Accommodating Strategic Planning Process
• New Leaders into the Strategic Planning Process
• Integrate Measurement with Strategic Planning
• SMARTER: Key Elements of Performance Objectives
• The Importance of Agreeing to Objectives
• Quantitative and Qualitative Objectives
• Developing SMARTER Objectives
• Setting Objectives and Cascading
• Challenges when Cascading Objectives and KPIs

DAY FIVE: KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI)

• What are KPIs?
• Designing KPIs
• Characteristics of KPIs
• Problems and Mistakes with KPIs: Why do KPIs fail?
• Good KPIs vs. Bad KPIs
• Business Strategy: Importance of Financial KPIs
• Positive Mindset of KPIs and KPIs Characteristics
• The Importance of KPI Role in the Key Area of Focus
• KPIs Alignment with Departmental Objectives and Company Goals
• KPIs Measurement and Selection Criteria