Strategy

In this highly-acclaimed 5-day program, you will learn how to manage strategic planning as an ongoing process to drive change and growth. Our uniquely structured and disciplined framework will help you shape the future of your business, and will give you the confidence to challenge conventional wisdom in your industry.

This program will enable you to:

• Create an effective strategic planning process
• Understand a variety of strategic planning tools
• Lead deep organizational change
• Successfully develop and implement the strategic plan

In addition, the Program will focus on topics such as:

• Leading performance improvements
• Managing change
• Creating a flexible, adaptive, self-renewing organization

Personal benefits

The concepts and tools taught in the Program will greatly enhance your strategic planning knowledge and skills

• Develop a strategic mindset and change the way you think about your business
• Learn the latest strategic tools and techniques, and strengthen your ability to lead the strategic planning process in your organization
• Improve your ability to manage change and build commitment to new strategic directions
• Understand the leadership requirements to successfully implement your strategic plan
• Learn to challenge conventional wisdom with confidence
• Network with a group of experienced managers and executives from a variety of industries across Canada
• Learn how to lead a healthy and balanced life through the Program's optional Lifestyle Component

Organizational benefits

Leading-edge strategic planning will have a major impact on your organization's future direction

• Introduce proven strategy development tools into the management practices of your organization
• Benchmark against best practices of leading companies
• Integrate short- and long-term operating objectives
• Anticipate and prepare for changes in the competitive landscape
• Link tactical action plans to the organization's strategic plan
• Improve organizational performance

Program content

The program leverages the educational power of multiple teaching tools, including class discussions, exchange of ideas and perspectives with faculty and fellow participants, one-on-one coaching, exercises, and the development of a self-directed action plan for improving personal effectiveness.

Sample the content

Managerial Decision Making

Professor Salman Mufti discusses the elements integral to effective managerial decision-making, examining a number of strategies to assist in avoiding common biases and pitfalls.

The Program is built around a four-step process:

CREATING AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

Creating a strategic planning process will change the way you think about your business and allow you to develop useful strategic plans that have buy-in across the organization

• Evaluating your organization's strategy development process
• Designing a structured and disciplined framework for planning and encouraging creativity
• Using the strategic planning process to challenge conventional wisdom
• Utilizing a rapid, focused, and action oriented planning process

STRATEGIC PLANNING TOOLS AND FRAMEWORKS

Assessing a variety of strategic planning tools and frameworks

• Creating a vision statement, mission, and objectives that are meaningful to your organization
• Identifying the challenges and opportunities that are make-or-break for your organization
• Understanding the profit drivers and financial implications of alternative strategic platforms
• Preparing for changes in competitive conditions and market dynamics
• Integrating cross-functional considerations into the plan

LEADING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE

Improving the effectiveness of organizational change

• Creating champions and coalitions to drive change
• Understanding the role of leaders in driving change
• Managing resistance to change and building a sustained commitment to change
• Aligning the organization behind the strategic plan

IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Focusing organizational resources to ensure rapid implementation of the strategic plan and generating sustained momentum

• Understanding how the organization's culture affects strategy implementation
• Ensuring the organization's infrastructure and culture support the change effort
• Building in accountabilities and the appropriate measurement scorecards
• Leveraging the strategic plan through alliances and partnerships