Strategic Thinking

Strategic Thinking

Strategic Thinking Course Objectives
* To introduce the concept of strategic thinking
* To open up delegates ideas of a vision for the future
* To provide a step by step model for planning the journey from current position to the future
* To give delegates practical tools and techniques
* Use these tools to map the impact of external and internal changes on their company and the strategy
* To explore decision making - how it works and how to improve delegates own decision making


Strategic Thinking Course Programme

Defining Strategy
The day starts with a discussion on what a strategy is a look at why it's a good idea to have one.

A strategic model
We will introduce a simple strategic model that can be used in any organisation. You'll then get to practise applying the model to your organisation or maybe even your life!

Strategic Thinking - Looking to the Future
Often the biggest block to defining a vision for the future is the grim reality of the present! So we take away the block and open up thinking to a future that is so much better and brighter than the here and now. We then 'sanity check' it to make sure it's a sound vision.

Stretching Strategic goals
Just to make sure that the future is challenging enough we look at the goals or targets that will measure success along the way. We use a quick, fun and competitive exercise to encourage Strategic Thinking delegates to s-t-r-e-t-c-h their goals enough to provide a real challenge.

Understanding the now
In order to begin to plan how to strategically move towards the future it's useful to understand what is going on internally and outside in the wider world - big. Some things may have a big impact on future plans so it's wise to take a look at what they might be and what effect they might have on the vision.

Ideas and more ideas
So we now know where we are heading and where we are starting from. To get off the starting blocks we need some innovative ideas. We will look at applying some creative concepts to generating ideas that will fulfil the company's strategic goals.

Decisions - decisions - decisions
Having lots of ideas is usually a blessing but can be a curse if decision making is not a strong point. We offer practical techniques for effective decision making and risk assessment.

Strategic Thinking - Plotting a course
There are many ways of going about drawing up a plan. In this exercise delegates will try two that start to make the strategy real.

We will also offer up facilitation techniques for dealing with those people who can't help looking on the bleak side - getting beyond the 'we can't do that because...'.

Getting it done
One of the weaknesses of strategic thinking is when no-one takes on the 'doing' bit. So we look at practical ways of making sure things happen and making sure that all bits of the organisation are pulling together.

Getting there
In the final section of the day we will give delegates the opportunity to bring forward any issues particularly anything that might get in the way of them implementing their strategic plans.


Final Strategic Thinking Handouts

Documents:

Strategic Thinking

Web card & memory stick

These great 1GB ultra-slim portable memory cards contain all course handout materials and provide details of access to our extensive online library of helpful documents. This One Day Strategic Thinking Course is limited to ten participants

Courses are held at our studios in Islington, London

Time: 9.30 to 5.30

Cost: £395.00 plus VAT