Strategic Thinking and Long-Term Planning for Executive Teams

Duration: 7 Days
Target Audience: Senior executives, board members, strategy leaders
Certificate: Certificate of Completion in Strategic Leadership and Long-Term Planning
Format: Hybrid (Online/In-Person)

Day 1: Introduction to Strategic Thinking and Leadership

• Objective: Understand the core principles of strategic thinking and leadership and how they differ from tactical or operational approaches.

Topics:

• Defining Strategic Thinking: Key Concepts and Differences from Operational Planning

• The Importance of Strategic Leadership in Today’s Business Environment

• Building a Strategic Mindset: Thinking Long-Term in a Short-Term World

• Interactive Session: Assessing current strategic practices in your organization

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: Overview of strategic leadership, focusing on long-term decision-making

• Case Study: Successful companies that excelled due to strong strategic leadership

• Group Exercise: Participants assess the strategic maturity of their organizations

Day 2: Environmental Scanning and External Analysis

• Objective: Learn how to assess the external environment to identify trends, opportunities, and risks that can impact long-term planning.

Topics:

• PESTLE Analysis: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental Factors

• Industry Analysis: Porter’s Five Forces Framework

• Identifying Disruptive Trends and Emerging Markets

• Interactive Session: Conducting an external analysis for a specific industry

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: External analysis frameworks, including PESTLE and Porter’s Five Forces

• Case Study: Companies that adapted to external changes and outperformed competitors

• Workshop: Participants perform an external analysis for their organization’s industry

Day 3: Internal Analysis and Resource-Based View

• Objective: Develop the skills to assess internal capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses using strategic frameworks.

Topics:

• Resource-Based View of the Firm: Understanding Core Competencies

• SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

• Value Chain Analysis: Identifying Key Activities That Drive Competitive Advantage

• Interactive Session: Conducting a SWOT analysis for your organization

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: How to apply the Resource-Based View and Value Chain Analysis to assess internal strengths

• Case Study: Organizations that leveraged internal strengths for long-term success

• Workshop: Participants create a SWOT analysis and value chain for their organizations

Day 4: Strategic Planning Frameworks and Models

• Objective: Gain an understanding of key strategic planning frameworks that can help develop and implement long-term plans.

Topics:

• The Balanced Scorecard: Aligning Strategy with Operations

• Scenario Planning: Preparing for Uncertain Futures

• Blue Ocean Strategy: Identifying Uncontested Market Spaces

• Interactive Session: Applying strategic frameworks to organizational challenges

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: Explanation and comparison of different strategic planning frameworks

• Case Study: Organizations that successfully implemented frameworks like the Balanced Scorecard

• Workshop: Participants use one of the strategic models to address a real-life challenge in their organizations

Day 5: Aligning Strategy with Organizational Goals and Vision

• Objective: Learn how to ensure that long-term strategies align with the organizational vision, mission, and goals.

Topics:

• Aligning Vision, Mission, and Long-Term Strategy

• Setting Long-Term Goals and Strategic Objectives

• Building Organizational Commitment to Strategic Initiatives

• Interactive Session: Drafting a strategic alignment plan for your organization

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: How to ensure long-term strategies align with organizational goals

• Case Study: Examples of companies that successfully aligned strategy with vision and mission

• Group Work: Participants develop a strategic alignment plan for their organizations

Day 6: Implementing Strategic Plans and Driving Execution

• Objective: Understand the key drivers of successful strategy execution and how to manage change effectively to ensure strategic initiatives succeed.

Topics:

• From Strategy to Execution: Key Success Factors

• Change Management: Leading Transformational Change

• Tracking Progress: Using KPIs and Metrics to Monitor Execution

• Interactive Session: Developing an execution plan for a strategic initiative

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: Key elements of driving successful strategy execution, including setting clear KPIs

• Case Study: Examples of successful strategy execution in major corporations

• Workshop: Participants develop an execution plan for a strategic initiative in their organization

Day 7: Strategic Leadership and Building Agility for the Future

• Objective: Explore how strategic leaders can build an agile organization that is ready to adapt to future challenges and opportunities.

Topics:

• The Role of Agility in Long-Term Strategic Planning

• Developing a Culture of Continuous Innovation and Adaptation

• Leadership Strategies for Guiding Organizations Through Uncertainty

• Interactive Session: Building an agile and adaptive strategy for your organization

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: Importance of organizational agility in a rapidly changing world

• Case Study: Companies that embraced agility and thrived in uncertain environments

• Capstone Project: Develop an agile long-term strategic plan for your organization

Key Features of the Course:

• Expert Faculty: Delivered by experienced strategy consultants, executives, and business school professors.

• Interactive Learning: Focused on practical workshops, case studies, and interactive group sessions.

• Capstone Project: Participants will develop a comprehensive long-term strategic plan for their organization or department.

• Certification: Participants receive a certificate of completion endorsed by the hosting institution, recognized for strategic planning expertise.

Outcome:

Participants will acquire the skills to think strategically, analyze both internal and external environments, develop robust long-term plans, and execute strategies effectively. The course will also prepare them to build agile organizations that can adapt to a rapidly changing business landscape.