About
COURSE OBJECTIVES
• Enhance your ability to think strategically
• Develop an understanding of currently accepted strategic thinking concepts, research, and theories
“If an organisation is heading in the wrong direction, the last thing it needs is to get there more efficiently. And if an organisation is headed in the right direction, it surely does not need to have that direction unwittingly changed by operational action taken in a strategic void.”
- David Keane
As you progress towards a more senior position, you will discover that it is critical to move from an operational to a strategic perspective. For most managers, the biggest challenge is in balancing between operational management and strategic thinking while seeing problems as interrelated and coming up with solutions that cross boundaries and are responsive to competing needs.
Unlike operations thinking which is focussed on ‘making things happen’, strategic thinking is concerned with ‘what things’ and ‘why’. Strategic thinking builds and brings together the individual functional areas - finance, human resources, marketing, supply chain management, accounting, and information systems in a way that you can integrate your thinking and work across the organisation.
From Operations to Strategic Thinking is a practical course that provides you with a way of thinking that allows you to systematically address the challenges that you face. You will emerge from the course with a refreshed perspective and be able to implement a structured approach to strategic thinking.
7 GREAT REASONS TO ATTEND
1.Align your department or work team and with wider organisational objectives and goals
2.Gain new tools and practices in analysing, evaluating, and modifying organisations’ strategies in light of changing conditions in the economic, technological, political/legal, and social environments
3.Discover the latest thinking in strategy
4.Understand the basic concepts and approaches to the strategic management of organisations
5.Foster an understanding of the role of senior management in the strategic thinking process
6.Be able to apply strategic thinking in different contexts and environments
7.Learn through case studies, videos and discussions on real life strategic issues facing executives today
Outline
Day One
Fundamentals of Operations and Strategic Thinking
• Defining operations and strategy
• How is operations management different to strategic thinking?
• Applying a simple model of the strategic thinking process
• The 3 levels of strategy
- Corporate level
- Business level
- Functional level
• Formulating an effective mission statement
Case Study: Strategic thinking in action
External Analysis: The Identification of Opportunities and Threats
• Defining an industry
• Strategic groupings within an industry
• Porter’s five forces model
• Industry life cycle analysis – tools and choices
• Analysing the macro environment in relation to strategic thinking
• SWOT and PEST analysis tools
Case Study: Applying the tools of external analysis
Strategic Thinking Issues 1
• How are leaders and managers different?
• How does strategy emerge?
• Emergent versus planned approaches to strategic thinking
• Scenario planning and benchmarking
• Popular approaches to strategic thinking (e.g. The Jack Welch of GE approach)
Day Two
Internal Analysis: Creating Competitive Advantage through Your Distinctive Competencies
• What is really meant by competitive advantage?
• Identifying distinctive competencies
• Linking resources to distinctive competencies
• Customer value creation and profitability
• The tool of value chain analysis
• Choosing your generic strategic approach
• Developing a strategy for your department that supports the organisational strategy
Case Study: Applying the tools of internal analysis
Implementing Strategy
• Choosing the right organisation structure, the right control approach and creating the right culture
• Restructuring and reengineering for results
Case Study: Planning for action
Strategic Thinking Issues 2
• Strategy in not-for-profit organisations
• Special considerations for small businesses
• Information technology and the Internet: Changing the rules of the game
• Strategy in the global environment
Facilitator
Dr David Keane
Dr David Keane has devoted his life and career to helping leaders create workplaces that are capable of bringing out the best in people and helping people discover more purpose and fulfilment in life and work. He is an expert on time management, the habits of successful people, and getting the balance right between your work and personal life.
Over the last 20 years he has worked with some of the world’s top business and government leaders to unlock the secrets of their success. He believes that everybody has their own version of “success” and it is critically important for people to define what success means to them.
Dr Keane is a master teacher and coach who has transformed the lives of people from all walks of life. In the last 3 years alone, he has personally coached over 600 people.
David is a former business school dean, university professor, and business executive who has published many articles on various management issues.
Dr David Keane is also facilitating:
In-house Training
Sorry, this event currently has no dates scheduled.
