Introduction

 In order to be successful managers must have the ability to plan strategically. Developing this competency is a key component of managerial skills enhancement given that effective strategic planning is essential to the future success of any organization. However, most strategic planning is lacking in vision. It is merely a straight-line extrapolation of the past into the future. In a world where the pace of change is greater than ever before this is at best short-sighted and at worst a prescription for disaster.

 Real strategic planning is about positioning the organization for a future which will be different from the past. This Strategic Planning & Goal Setting training course will focus on strategic planning as the essential management system guiding the manager and organization into the future by setting focused goals that will establish and enhance competitiveness. This training course will also focus on the necessity of developing both personal mental agility and organizational agility. Close examination will be made of the driving forces creating both strategic successes and failures.

 Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Examine how to design visionary strategic plans
• Consider utilization of a model for organizational assessment
• Formulate insights into strategic planning problems to avoid
• Identify and learn from examples of strategic success and failure
• Develop understanding of the nature of the organizational life cycle
• Study the preparation of effective contingency plans

 Course Outline

Day 1: Strategy, Strategic Planning and Competitive Positioning

• Introduction to the Seminar – Structure and Content
• Strategy - Concept and Significance
• "Competitive Positioning” vs. "Blue Sky” Approaches
• Achieving Competitive Advantage through Flexibility and Agility
• The Interaction of Strategy, Structure and Business Processes
• Gathering Information and Intelligence for the SWOT Analysis

Day 2: Strategic Intent, Strategic Choice and Balancing Scorecards

• Vision and Mission Statements - Preparing for the Future
• Business Analysis and Contingency Planning
• Strategic Choice
• Converting the SWOT Analysis into the "Strategy Matrix”
• Strategy Formulation – Programmes, Projects, Policies
• Transforming the Organization - Strategy Implementation and Managing Change

Day 3: Assessing the Current State of the Organization

• Leadership and Management in relation to Strategy
• Customer and Market Focus
• Human Resources and Knowledge Management
• Building a Strategic Planning Team
• Effective Process Management to Achieve Business Results
• Monitoring and Measuring Business Performance

Day 4: Strategic Planning Best Practice Whilst Avoiding the Pitfalls

• The Strategy Life-cycle and the Problem of Strategic Drift
• Getting Innovative thinking into the Organization
• The Potentially Negative Dimensions of Success
• How to Avoid 'Paralysis by Analysis'?
• Overcoming inability to evaluate fresh ideas, denying the truth and thinking inside the box
• The Critical Importance of Good Planning Team Dynamics

   Day 5: Personal Strategic Planning

• Applying Strategic Tools and Techniques to the Individual
• Personal Goal Setting, Creating a Personal Strategic Plan
• Implementing Change - Achieving Progress as a Strategic Manager
• The Mix of Competencies and Personal Skills required in 21st Century Business
• Executing Strategy - How to break it down and get it done?
• Developing Inspiration and Gathering Support
• Overcoming Adversity by Leveraging your Skills and Building on Success
• Conclusion - A Personal Role in the Strategic Planning and Goal Setting Processes