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Face to face / Online public schedule & onsite training. Restaurant lunch included at STL venues.
From £495 List price £650
- 1 day Instructor-led workshop
- Courses never cancelled
- Restaurant lunch
Syllabus
Who is this course for?
This one-day course is ideal for managers, business owners, executives, and professionals responsible for strategic planning or implementing strategic initiatives.
It is also highly beneficial for those aspiring to leadership roles or seeking to enhance their strategic thinking capabilities within their organisation. Participants should have a basic understanding of management principles and a desire to drive organisational success through effective strategy formulation and execution.
Benefits
Attending this course will equip you with the essential skills to develop and implement robust strategic plans, ensuring your organisation's long-term success.You'll gain practical insights into setting and achieving ambitious goals and effectively mobilising resources. Additionally, the course will enhance your leadership abilities, enabling you to inspire your team to align with strategic objectives and drive sustainable growth.
Course Syllabus
Strategic Planning Fundamentals
Importance of strategic planning in business management.
Common terminology and definitions
Strategic Planning Models
Introduction to a simple strategic planning models (e.g., SWOT, PESTLE).
Case studies demonstrating successful strategic plans
Creating a Strategic Vision
Developing a compelling and clear strategic vision
Aligning the vision with organisational values and mission
Setting Strategic Objectives
Methods for setting SMART objectives.
Examples and exercises in goal-setting
Developing Action Plans
Translating strategic objectives into actionable plans
Templates and tools for effective action planning
Mobilising Resources
Identifying and allocating necessary resources
Techniques for efficient resource management
Measuring Success
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and other metrics.
Methods for tracking progress and adjusting strategies
Prices & Dates
What you get
"What do I get on the day?"
Arguably, the most experienced and highest motivated trainers.
Face-to-face training
Training is held in our modern, comfortable, air-conditioned suites.
Lunch, breaks and timing
A hot lunch is provided at local restaurants near our venues:
- Bloomsbury
- Limehouse
Courses start at 9:30am.
Please aim to be with us for 9:15am.
Browse the sample menus and view joining information (how to get to our venues).
Refreshments
Available throughout the day:
- Hot beverages
- Clean, filtered water
- Biscuits
Online training
Regular breaks throughout the day.
Learning tools
In-course handbook
Contains unit objectives, exercises and space to write notes
24 months access to trainers
Your questions answered on our support forum.
Training formats & Services
Training Formats & Services
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Training manual sample
Below are some extracts from our Mastering Strategic Planning manual.
Mastering
Strategic Planning
Introduction
Strategic planning is the process by which organizations
define their long-term vision, set goals, and create a roadmap to achieve those
goals. It involves analyzing the internal and external environment, making
informed decisions, and aligning resources effectively. Here’s what you need to
know:
Understanding Strategic Planning
Strategic planning goes beyond day-to-day operations. It’s
about thinking strategically, anticipating changes, and positioning the
organization for success. Key aspects include:
- Vision
and Mission: Organizations start by defining their purpose (mission)
and the desired future state (vision). The mission guides daily
activities, while the vision inspires long-term efforts.
- SWOT
Analysis: Conducting a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities, Threats) helps identify internal strengths and weaknesses
as well as external opportunities and threats.
- Environmental
Scanning: Organizations analyze the business environment—market
trends, competitors, regulatory changes, and technological advancements—to
inform their strategy.
Importance of Strategic Planning in Business Success
Strategic planning is crucial for several reasons:
- Direction
and Focus: It provides clarity on where the organization is headed and
ensures everyone works toward common goals.
- Resource
Allocation: Efficiently allocating resources (financial, human, and
technological) is essential. Strategic planning helps prioritize
investments.
- Adaptability:
In a dynamic business landscape, strategic planning enables organizations
to adapt to changes proactively.
Establishing Business Priorities
Identifying Key Business Activities
- Core
Activities: Identify the fundamental activities that drive your
business. For a retail company, this might include inventory management,
sales, and customer service.
- Supporting
Activities: These are essential but not directly revenue-generating.
Examples include IT infrastructure maintenance or HR processes.
Ensuring Measurability
- KPIs
(Key Performance Indicators): Define measurable indicators for each
activity. KPIs help track progress and identify areas for improvement.
Developing Measurements and Targets
Setting Aligned Targets
- SMART
Goals: Make sure your targets are Specific, Measurable, Achievable,
Relevant, and Time-bound. For instance, increasing sales by 10% within the
next fiscal year.
- Cascade
Goals: Align individual and team goals with overall organizational
objectives.
Understanding How Targets Will Be Achieved
- Action
Plans: Break down high-level goals into actionable steps. Who will do
what, by when?
Matching Resources to Targets
Ensuring Adequate Resources
- Financial
Resources: Budgets must align with strategic priorities. Allocate
funds wisely.
- Human
Resources: Ensure you have the right talent and skills to execute the
strategy.
Understanding Resource Security
- Risk
Management: Consider potential risks (financial, operational, or
external) and develop contingency plans.
Remember, strategic planning is an ongoing process. Regular
reviews and adjustments are essential to stay on track.
Implementing the Measurement Process
Developing a System for Measurement Implementation
Implementing a robust measurement system is essential for
tracking progress and ensuring alignment with strategic goals. Here’s how to go
about it:
- Select
Relevant Metrics: Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that
directly relate to your strategic objectives. These could include
financial metrics (e.g., revenue growth, profit margins), operational
metrics (e.g., production efficiency, customer satisfaction), or other
relevant measures.
- Data
Collection and Reporting: Establish processes to collect accurate
data. Leverage technology (such as data analytics tools) to automate data
collection where possible. Regularly report on KPIs to relevant
stakeholders.
- Ownership
and Accountability: Assign responsibility for each metric. Ensure that
teams or individuals understand their role in gathering and analyzing
data.
Ensuring Measurements Are Integrated into the Business
Process
- Cascade
Metrics: Align individual and team goals with the overall strategic
objectives. When employees see how their work contributes to the bigger
picture, they are more likely to take ownership of measurements.
- Incorporate
Metrics into Performance Reviews: Tie KPIs to performance evaluations.
This reinforces the importance of measurement and encourages consistent
tracking.
Setting Up the Monitoring Process
Understanding the Importance of Performance Monitoring
- Real-Time
Insights: Monitoring allows you to catch deviations early. If a KPI
starts trending in the wrong direction, you can take corrective action
promptly.
- Adaptability:
A dynamic business environment requires agility. Monitoring helps you
adjust strategies as needed.
How to Set Up an Effective Monitoring Process
- Define
Thresholds: Determine acceptable ranges for each KPI. When a metric
falls outside these bounds, trigger alerts for investigation.
- Automate
Alerts: Use automated systems (such as email notifications or
dashboards) to alert relevant stakeholders when KPIs deviate
significantly.
- Regular
Review Meetings: Schedule periodic reviews to discuss performance
data. Use these meetings to identify trends, share insights, and make
informed decisions.
Summary and Action Plans
Reviewing What We’ve Learned
- Strategic
planning involves setting a clear vision, conducting SWOT analyses, and
adapting to the business environment.
- Prioritize
key business activities and ensure they are measurable.
- Set
SMART goals and cascade them throughout the organization.
Developing Action Plans
- Create
a roadmap for implementing measurement systems.
- Integrate
KPIs into daily operations.
- Establish
a robust monitoring process.
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