The key challenge that leaders and organisations are facing in the uncertain word is how to respond to the pressures with strategic agility and plan long-term when planning appears impossible. To balance the dynamics of the “new normal” and keep the organisation focused, leaders and managers need to enhance their capability to critically evaluate the factors impacting on the success of the organisation and facilitate strategic conversations with their stakeholders.

The course aims at providing a well-rounded understanding of the alignment of strategic and operational processes and highlights common pitfalls and success factors in business strategy design. Strategic planning is discussed as a value creation process where a traditional planning process is enriched with innovative strategy development approaches. Participants are introduced to a set of tools they can apply in the workplace.

Participants engage in practical activities and have numerous opportunities to discuss current business challenges and case studies. Action learning is integrated in this course to stimulate strategic thinking that translates it into tangible applications.

Through this course participants will develop the skills and knowledge to:

• Compose a strategic direction for their organisation
• Lead strategic planning processes that create value
• Evaluate critical environmental trends impacting on a sustainable organisational strategy
• Conduct environmental and organisational scans
• Identify internal capabilities and align them with strategic opportunities
• Identify and engage stakeholder groups
• Align strategic and operational objectives with organisational purpose
• Collaborate with and learn from stakeholders
• Apply innovative strategic approaches and tools to identify a competitive advantage.

Day One

Strategic Approach in Organisational Leadership    

• Embracing uncertainty       
• Leader’s role
• Agility         
• What is strategy?
• Levels of business strategy
• The purpose of strategy
• The concept of strategy       

Strategic Planning       

• Strategic planning models
• Origins of strategic planning
• What is strategic thinking?
• Facilitation of the strategic process
• Innovative strategic planning approaches 
• Blue ocean strategy
• Design thinking approach
• Behavioural approach

Leading with Strategic Focus

• Mission, vision and value statements
• Mission statement
• Vision statement   
• Defining organisational values         

Environmental Scanning         

• Megatrends
• Climate change
• Globalisation
• Blockchain technology
• Automated Intelligence
• Digital business models
• The Internet of Things
• Nano and biotechology      
• External macro-environment
• PESTLE

Day Two

Recap from Day 1

Industry Analysis         

• Industry trends      
• Porter’s Five Forces
• Competitive advantage        

Organisational Scan   

• Resource-based view
• Resource utilisation strategy
• Organisational capabilities
• Capability analysis tools    
• Organisational procedures and practices

SWOT Analysis

• SWOT
• TOWS           

Leading with Strategic Direction        

• Strategic goals       
• Goals vs objectives
• SMART objectives

Strategy Map

Stakeholder Engagement

• Internal and external stakeholders
• Stakeholder map  
• Fostering learning and stakeholder relationships
• What can you learn from stakeholders?
• Organisational culture and stakeholder engagement
• Common pitfalls and success factors            

Reflection and Action

Costs and group limits may vary.

Minimum group size: 10

Maximum group size: 16

N/A