STRATEGIC THINKING

Stimulating insights and applying imagination to drive organizational alignment.

To some, strategic thinking is a natural talent.  To everyone else it's a process that can be learned.  Essential to the process are core tools and methods that are dynamic and flexible, and that can adapt to the constantly changing times.  Yet these tools must also promote future focused thinking and creativity that ensures a competitive edge.

Based on Balanced Scorecard fundamentals, leaders will explore business strategy through the lens of competitive landscape, SWOT, strategy maps and communication plans. Learn to avoid missing important cues that can crush results while you develop a strategic mindset that helps you predict business success. Essential to the process are core tools and methods that are dynamic and flexible, and that can adapt to the constantly changing times. These tools must simultaneously promote future focused thinking and creativity if they are to ensure a competitive edge.

Leaders will learn:

• What is strategic thinking?
  • Origin of strategic planning
  • What is a strategy
  • What a strategy is not
  • Purpose of strategic thinking
• Why have a strategy?
  • Strategy drives behaviour
  • Focus time, energy and resources to achieve better results
• Parts of a strategy
  • Vision and Mission
  • Core values
  • SWOT analysis
  • Analyze competitive landscape using strategy canvas
  • Define strategic value proposition
• Balanced Scorecard as a strategic thinking and planning tool
  • Strategic themes as pillars of excellence
  • Select targeted themes
  • Define strategic results Creating a Strategy Map
  • Why you need a map
  • 4 perspectives
    • Financial
    • Customer
    • Internal Process
    • Learning & Growth
• Create strategic objectives for the perspectives
  • Add measures and targets
  • Define appropriate measures for objectives
  • Draft potential targets
• Communicate Strategy Map
  • Practice articulating strategy map both top-down and bottom-up
  • Create a communication plan outlining team, department and organization-wide messaging