RSC - Advancing the Chemical Sciences


Conferences and Events

 

Thinking Strategically


25 - 26 September 2008, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA, UK

Overview


The manager in analytical mode understands complex issues by breaking them down into their component parts. Good analysis is essential for organising people - being clear what the job tasks are and relating them to the objectives. Good analysis also provides the basis for sharing an understanding, for clear communication and justification of decisions. However, analysis is not enough on its own. It is important for a manager to place their analysis within the broader context. Analysis needs to be accompanied by imaginative and innovative thinking as well as reflection on personal experience.

This is a two day course.


Objectives


The objectives of the first day are to enable you to:

  • To be clear about what strategy is and why it requires innovative thinking and taking a 'helicopter' view
  • To identify why all organisations need a mission and how the mission determines the strategy 

The objectives of the second day are to develop your skills in:

  • Integrating strategic analysis and imaginative thinking about future possibilities
  • Moving from tactics to strategy and back again
  • Making strategic choices

Key features


This course rejects the view that only top managers can formulate strategy through a process of rigorous analysis. It recognises instead that, although top management may set the overall objectives and ambitions of the organisation, the people close to the customers, production, development and distribution also have valuable input to contribute. Strategy is about finding new ways to compete.

To develop a workable strategy requires imagination, forward thinking, speculation and reflection on past experience. The course will utilise some of the analytic tools - such as SWOT analysis - traditionally associated with strategic thinking, but it will be based around real life business stories rather than abstract concepts.


Benefits to you and your organisation


  • You will develop your skill in thinking strategically
  • You will see the importance of having a vision and a mission to focus individual effort
  • You will learn how to integrate analytic thinking with more imaginative, speculative thinking

Who should attend?


Anyone who wants to understand how companies generate wealth through their strategic choices and how they, as individuals, can contribute most effectively to this.