Advanced Strategic Planning for Directors
Course Overview
The Advanced Strategic Planning for Directors course is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of strategic management principles, enhance decision-making skills, and develop actionable strategies for organisational growth. The course offers a blend of theory, best practices, and practical tools to support participants in crafting effective, adaptable strategies tailored to their unique business environments.
Participants will learn how to identify and analyse external and internal factors impacting their organisation, build competitive strategies, and effectively implement these strategies to drive performance and adaptability. With a focus on risk analysis, market dynamics, and stakeholder engagement, the workshop provides a structured approach to developing versatile strategy frameworks that foster sustained success. By the end of the course, participants will have refined their strategic vision, developed key action plans, and gained insights into leadership's role in managing change within their organisations.
Eligible participants can either choose to attend this course as a stand-alone programme, or alternatively complete the Certified Directors Programme which comprises of four courses and an accreditation, in order to obtain a CMI Level 8 Certificate in Strategic Direction and Leadership.
At a glance
Enhanced Strategic Insight: Build a strong foundation in strategic planning to set clear, achievable organisational goals.
Advanced Analytical Skills: Master key tools like SWOT and PESTLE for thorough risk and opportunity assessments.
Improved Decision-Making: Make informed, data-driven strategic choices to effectively manage uncertainties.
Leadership & Change Management: Learn to align culture with strategy and lead impactful change initiatives.
Practical Application: Gain hands-on experience with adaptable tools for real-world strategic challenges.
Building Competitive Advantage: Develop strategies to strengthen market position and sustain competitive edge.
Personal & Professional Growth: Enhance your strategic skills and credibility as an effective organisational leader.
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:
- Understand the significance of strategic direction and leadership in organisational success and how to apply best practices
- Acquire skills to develop a versatile strategy toolkit, enabling the ability to handle various strategic planning scenarios effectively
- Be proficient in conducting strategic analysis using various frameworks
- Apply horizon scanning and scenario thinking techniques to anticipate future risks and opportunities
- Understand the concepts of risk appetite and risk mitigation, and how to manage these within the organisation
- Analyse market dynamics and stakeholder perspectives using tools, frameworks and stakeholder mapping
- Understand and apply portfolio management, including the use of tools and matrixes to manage and optimise strategic portfolios
- Understand strategic choice and positioning, including core capabilities, value disciplines, and product/market matrix
- Build strong propositions and apply innovation strategies, including Blue Ocean Strategy, disruptive and incremental innovations, and scaling-up techniques
This course is designed for CEO’s, Directors and Global Leaders who have the responsibility for developing and implementing effective, ethical and collective strategies across their organisation.
Learners should be either operating in a Global/multinational organisation and have the ability to explore the complexity and challenges of global operations or strategically look beyond the confines of their own organisation and apply critical thinking and analysis to the complexity of their organisational operations and supply chain.
In order to be accepted onto the course participants must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a director level role and have had responsibility for developing and implementing strategy.
Strategic Planning as Action and Behaviour
- Importance of strategic planning as a set of intentional actions and behaviours that drive organisational success
- Defining strategic direction and the role of effective leadership in guiding long-term goals
- Best practices and concepts that enhance strategy execution
- Develop a versatile strategy toolkit, essential for strengthening strategic planning skills
Strategic Analysis: Navigating Risks & Uncertainties
- Understand and analyse the risks and uncertainties inherent in any strategic endeavour
- Dive into essential analysis tools such as SWOT, PESTLE, and STEEPV to systematically assess internal and external factors
- Engage in horizon scanning and scenario thinking exercises to prepare for potential future changes
- Strategies for determining risk appetite, as well as approaches to risk mitigation and management
Strategic Analysis: Markets & Stakeholders
- Review market analysis and stakeholder engagement strategies
- Risks of market myopia and how to broaden perspectives to better understand customer needs and market trends
- Review key frameworks to assess competitive positioning within your industry
- Stakeholder mapping exercises to support the development of tailored management strategies
Strategic Analysis: Portfolio Management & Competitive Landscape
- Examine portfolio management as a critical component of a successful strategy
- Utilise tools such as the Boston Box to aid in assessing and prioritising business units and products
- Discuss the concepts of strategic drift and explore both incremental and transformational approaches to change
- Employing frameworks and cultivating emergent strategies to adapt and thrive in dynamic environments
Strategic Choice
- Begin by exploring the foundational capabilities that drive competitive advantage and identifying value disciplines to guide strategic focus
- Define strategic direction using frameworks like the Product/Market Matrix to align offerings with target markets.
- Discuss positioning strategies, covering both generic and focused approaches, to enhance market differentiation
Strategic Choice Continued
- Create compelling propositions, including the application of Blue Ocean Strategy to unlock uncontested market space
- Examine the role of innovation, including the influence of lead users and the differences between disruptive and incremental innovations.
- Key methods for scaling up will be covered, including mergers and acquisitions, vertical and horizontal integration, and the role of JVs and partnerships
Strategic Implementation
- Examine the interplay between organisational culture, structure, and design in executing effective strategies.
- Identify performance management tools, with particular attention to the balanced scorecard as a framework for aligning actions with strategic goals
- Discuss how cultural diversity affects strategy implementation and explore methods for aligning leadership with strategic goals.
Developing Strategic Planning
- Review your own strategic plans and identify actionable steps for personal and organisational growth
- Explore effective boardroom strategies for driving change and discuss ways to build consensus for strategic initiatives
- Focus on the challenges and opportunities in family businesses, professional services, and partnerships
- Examine the value of strategic partnerships and supply chain management in achieving long-term success
Andrew Carroll
Andrew has over 25 years’ experience as a consultant and independent director, working as a coach and facilitator with boards and senior leadership teams across both the public and private sector. Andrew’s focus is strategy and organisational culture with an emphasis on accelerating change through innovation, strategic thinking and deepened leadership engagement.
Educated at Oxford and London universities, Andrew was previously Consulting Manager at Mercuri Urval, Associate at Henley Management College and HR Director at General Accident (FTSE100 Insurer) with responsibility for strategic development and the senior leadership team. As a Chartered Director and Fellow of the Institute of Directors, he also served as a Non-Executive Director for businesses in the retail, fintech, insurance & manufacturing sectors.
Andrew is passionate to unlock potential in complex situations by getting disparate groups working strategically, engaged around shared goals & embracing new ways of working; ensuring business strategies properly align to enhance people engagement & performance.
