To be strategic is to be well prepared ahead of time for different eventualities.

A successful strategic process engages everyone in the ongoing strategy of an organization, rather than just leaving it to individuals. Therefore, strategic planning requires a versatile and creative ‘state of mind’, that has space to; foresee the upcoming scenarios, perceive different scenarios and figure out new solutions for problems and issues that may arise.

In this 2-day course, your instructor will cover the steps of the strategy management process, starting with the ‘thinking’ components of strategy, moving into the ‘planning’ components and ending with ‘execution’. At the end of the course, participants will be able to implement or improve the strategic process at their organizations to reach their vision and achieve their mission.

Learning Outcomes:

• To be able to assess current strategies within your organization and select the best model for you
• To learn creative thinking techniques that develop new ideas
• To explore new strategies and provide different options
• Determine strategic objectives, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and ‘SMART’ targets for the organization
• Convert strategic plans to operating plans through creating strategic initiatives and sequencing activities
• Determine what causes the disconnection between strategy formulation and strategy implementation
• Develop skills in setting strategic plans and how to convert them to action plans
• Learn how to effectively establish and communicate strategy and directions; allocate resources; define departmental, team and individual goals and directions
• Participate in the performance management cycle to ensure proper execution of chosen strategies

Course Outline:

• Fundamentals of strategic thinking and planning
• Different types of thinking and planning
• Which strategic planning tool is right for you?
• The differences between strategic planning and tactical planning
• The helicopter view
• Assessing your organization’s strategic process
• The strategic planning process: three common stages
• Seven stages of planning and implementing a strategy
• The strategic planning pyramid
• Creating a strategic vision
• The tools and techniques for carrying out internal analysis
• How to motivate employees to accept and ‘buy-in’ to a new strategy
• How important of leadership during the strategic planning process
• How to break down the strategic plan into tactical and operational goals
• Implementing the strategic plan
• Case study: SWOT analysis
• Impact of social media and the internet on your strategic plan
• Understanding strategic thinking
• The principles of creative thinking
• Improving creative thinking
• Monitoring the strategic plan implementation

Who should attend this course?

All managers and senior professionals who are involved in influencing, formulating or supporting the long term planning and strategy of their department or organization, as well as those who are responsible for linking, measuring and improving the performance of the organization, including strategy or performance management professionals, balanced scorecard managers, business unit and department managers and business analysts.