An intensive professional development training course on

The Professional Strategist

Strategy Development & Implementation

Classroom Training

We currently have no scheduled session for this Training Course. If you are interested in running this course, please contact our Training Department at info@aztechtraining.com

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Professional Recognition and Accreditation

This is an ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) Endorsed Programme*

Why Choose this Course?

This course will help enable delegates to develop effective planning skills as today’s challenging and unpredictable environment calls for robust planning processes. The course addresses how sound measurement systems, good communications and a culture that encourages effective decision making are all factors in producing good plans. Delegates will learn the value of visioning as well as analytical skills required to develop strategic plans. They will learn to transform them into operational plans, and with good measurement systems to turn aspirations into quantifiable objectives and then serve to track progress.

Successful planning is a multi-stage process: from horizon scanning and reviewing internal competences, to option generation, making good decisions, matching resources to aspirations and critically, implementing plans.

This course will feature:

The differences between strategy, planning, goals and tactics
How organisation’s processes ensure that operational plans contribute to strategic plans
The importance of effective communication methods and styles to engage with employees
Links between continuous improvement and planning
How measurement supports effective implementation of plans

What are the Goals?

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

Understand and use planning terminology
Recognise how they contribute to their organisation’s planning process
Gain confidence in good communications
Use the PDCA cycle at individual, team and organisational levels
Recognise importance of different types of measures in setting goals and tracking progress

Who is this Course for?

This course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

Those are involved in strategic and business planning or have aspirations to rise to the next level
Managers at all levels who want to develop their planning skills
New Managers who wish to gain more strategic perspective in relation to their work
Middle/Senior Managers aiming to develop their strategic planning skills, to achieve better results and gain influence in the planning process

How will this be Presented?

This course will utilise a variety of proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension and retention of the information presented. This seminar is interactive and challenges one to think. The tutor will guide and facilitate learning, using direct input, daily reflection, discussions, case studies, exercises and video. The tutor ensures that delegates feel comfortable to contribute experiences and share learning.

The Course Content

Day One

Strategy – what is it and how to effectively create it?

Introduction to Strategic Thinking
Vision, Mission and Objectives & the relationships between them
The steps involved in developing a corporate strategy: a checklist
Does strategy lead to change?
Elements of Unique Competitive Advantage
Effect of corporate culture on strategy development & implementation

Day Two

The Planning Process

Organisational planning processes
Strategy: is there only one right way?
Tools used in external analysis: PESTLE, Porter’s 5 Forces, GE, SWOT
Linking external factors to internal competencies: generating strategic options
Turning aspirations into goals & objectives
Contingency planning: something unexpected always happens

Day Three

Communication – the challenge of getting everyone on the same page

How do we communicate – organizationally & individually?
Using multiple channels to get the message across
Leveraging people’s learning styles to communicate more effectively
How Emotional Intelligence helps leaders communicate more effectively
The challenges of overcoming employee resistance to change
Recognition, reward & celebrating success

Day Four

Strategic Implementation

Planning the implementation: creating a process for continuous improvement
Setting expectations: standards, benchmarks, hurdles, milestones
Using the Deming model: Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)to increase success
Creating Teams & Distributing Tasks
Responsibility and accountability – internal or external drivers?
Recording, measuring & analysing for improvement

Day Five

Measurement for Success

What are the Critical Success Factors?
Do our KPI’s help us achieve good results?
Choosing useful measures: leading and lagging measures
The Balanced Scorecard: a mix of financial and non-financial measurements
Budgets – their role in planning
Learning organisations : people and technology

The Certificates

AZTech Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the course.
ILM Endorsed Certificate for delegates who successfully attend and pass the required assessment.

Accreditation

AZTech is an ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) Recognised Provider and offers a number of Endorsed Management and Leadership programmes. Aside from AZTech’s Certificate of Completion, delegates will be able to pursue ILM Endorsed Certification (which typically involves passing an additional study, either a work based assignment or on-demand assessment) after the conclusion of this ILM endorsed programme.