Director Development Programme - Advanced Strategic Planning for Directors
Advanced Strategic Planning for Directors provides clarity and support to Directors around their role and responsibilities. In particular, strategic thinking, decision making, planning, and execution. Crucially, the module will give Directors a better understanding of strategic process and a renewed confidence around the formation, development and implementation of company-wide strategies.
This 2-day module will provide delegates with the ability to lead more strategically, highlighting the role of the Director and the Board in the formation, mapping and execution of organisational strategy. Through reference to leading research, current examples of best practice and case studies, this course will explore how to create, develop and deliver strategies that achieve company objectives and deliver real value for the broader organisation.
Through the knowledge and experience of the course leader and your peers, you will be encouraged to consider your own role alongside the Board, discussing relevant issues, challenges and solutions.
This is one of five modules, which together make up the full Directors Development Programme. The module can be taken on its own or as part of the full programme.
By attending this course, you will gain invaluable insights from industry experts into new ways of working, innovative concepts and the latest theories that can be applied instantly on returning to your own organisation. The programme will give you the essential knowledge, skills and confidence to improve your performance as a Director and, in turn, the performance of the Board.
*Limited discounted places available for public and third sector organisations. Please enquire for more information.*
Course Summary
Postgraduate Certificate in Strategy and Leadership - Optional
Duration:
2 Day
Location:
Virtual Central Manchester Central London
Delivery Method and Price:
Virtual Classroom:
£1,200
Face to Face Classroom:
£1,400
About Us
About the Programme
Whether you are an experienced long serving, newly appointed or an aspiring Director, this course will give you a fresh and unique insight into challenging but critical processes of effective strategic development and management.
This course is for you if you want to:
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Develop and implement an effective organisational strategy
- Understand key elements of effective design, planning, research and stakeholder engagement
- Learn how to assess the strategic landscape, analysing the key strategic considerations
- Increase confidence to challenge and influence board level decisions and company direction
- Develop strategies for shaping and influencing change and transformation
*Please note that some of the materials and objectives may be subject to change depending on discussions, activities and needs of the cohort upon reflection of delegate responses to the pre-programme questionnaires.*
On completion of this programme, you will:
- Clearly understand the board and director’s role in strategy development
- Understand strategic business planning concepts and how an effective board and senior leadership team creates, implements and manages organisational strategy
- Be able to design and manage a process for successful strategic organisational change
- Be well equipped to assess the strategic landscape, analysing the key strategic considerations both inside and outside the organisation
- Understand the range of tools and techniques in the delivery of a strategic plan
- Develop skills in strategic business planning and an increased awareness for what should be expected from senior leaders and managers in the business
- Develop the ability to lead more strategically, and to evaluate personal impact on the organisation and in the accomplishment of business benefits
Session 1
The Board, Directors and Strategy
- The Role of the Director and Board in Strategy Development
- Understanding the Relationship Between the Board and Strategy
- Unlocking the Potential of the Board and Directors to Develop Effective Strategy
- Establishing, Communicating, Implementing and Monitoring Strategy
- Analysing the Wider Context and Institutional Constraints
Session 2
Introducing Strategy: The Key Principles
- Purpose, Vision, Objectives and Values Underpinning Strategy Development
Session 3
Analysing Context and Environment
- Interpreting and Understanding the Internal Environment
- Reviewing Core Competencies
- Scanning and Understanding the External Environment Stakeholders and Competitor Analysis
- Tools and Techniques
Session 4
Identifying Strategic Options
Key themes include:
- Culture and Strategy – coherence
- The Business Lifecycle
- Strategic Considerations
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Make or Buy/Insource or Outsource
Session 5
Evaluation and Selecting Strategic Options
- Assessing and Measuring Risk and Impact
- Financial Assessment and Impact
- Option Appraisal: Aligning with Vision, Objectives and Values
- Decision Matrix Analysis
- the Ladder of Inference
Session 6
Implementing and Monitoring Strategy
- The Fundamentals of Strategic Management
- Creating Buy-In: Clear Long-Term Vision and Direction
- Monitoring and Measuring Success: Identifying Critical Success Factors and Balanced Scorecard
- Tools and Techniques: Vmost, Balanced Scorecard
- Directors Responsibilities for Monitoring, Evaluating and Reporting
- Managing Deviation and Change
The Postgraduate Certificate
Following completion of the Directors Development Programme ‘Advanced Strategic Planning for Directors’ Module, learners can opt to continue their studies with a Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership for Directors, validated by the University of Chester. This is a level 7 postgraduate qualification which sits between a degree and a masters.
Those opting to take the qualification will complete this Module as part of the full Directors Development Programme. On completion of all five Modules, learners can work towards achieving the PG Cert in Strategic Leadership for Directors (60 credits).
The remaining modules are as follows:
- Director Development Programme - Finance for Non-Finance Directors
- Director Development Programme - The Role of the Director and the Board
- Director Development Programme - Advanced Leadership for Directors
- Director Development Programme - Strategic Marketing for Non-Marketing Directors
This is also an excellent route into a full masters, contributing 60 credits towards the 180 necessary for a masters. Students can pursue the full MBA with the University of Chester, following the PG Cert, should they so wish.
Support and Guidance
Students are provided with:
- Guidance from an experienced academic assessor
- Literature available through the University of Chester e-library
- A partner specific Moodle page which is populated with course information, video content and useful resources
- Regular group workshops pertaining to various study skills
The Assignments
Students will complete 3 assignments. Each is assessed through a work-based critically reflective essay or report. As it is work-based learning and the assessments can all be applied to the business situation/workplace, this then gives both the student and the wider organisation a chance to learn and adapt business practice.
James Fowler
Tutor
Dr James Fowler is a lecturer in strategy and the Deputy MBA Director at Essex University’s Business School. He was formerly a regular Officer in the Armed Forces where his appointments included running the language wing of the Defence College of Intelligence and Security and advising the Royal Engineers’ training and development team. In his academic career James has published a series of books and journal articles in the field of business and management history. Alongside his academic work he is also frequently in contact with business via consultancy and executive education. In those capacities he has advised and worked with Brusov University, the TALE - Haven Gateway Partnership, Transport for London and the c2c rail franchise.
Jed Hassid
Tutor
Jed is a business growth expert, experienced in working with board level decision makers to define and implement key business strategies and so drive shareholder value. His main areas of expertise include strategic and business planning, strategic marketing and business performance improvement.
After completing his MBA, he worked as strategic marketing manager within a national professional services firm. He then worked as a strategic marketing consultant for a B2B market research business that involved working across the UK, Europe, the US and Asia-Pacific for a range of multi-national and UK based corporations. For the last 14 years, he has been working with high growth SMEs as they strive to achieve their true potential.
In support of his consulting and coaching work, Jed regularly designs and delivers practical workshops aimed at helping business leaders and managers learn and implement new skills and techniques as well as challenge existing ways of doing business.
He holds a BA (Econ) Hons in Economics and Econometrics and MBA from the University of Manchester and a Diploma in Company Director from the Institute of Directors. He is also an Emergenetics ® certified associate.
Pierson Stratford
Tutor
Pierson has 15 years’ experience as a consultant and facilitator, specialising in leadership, management and coaching. Experienced in the design and delivery of people development, Pierson uses coaching psychology to engage with leaders at all levels, supporting them to; be, have and do more.
Highly experienced in talent development, from managing large graduate programmes to developing directors and senior leaders for global brands at an international level, Pierson adds value by making learning stick, while turning new knowledge into practical skills.
David Clouston
Tutor
David’s experience stems from 33 years in the British Army where he reached a senior level. He led and managed soldiers throughout his career and was particularly involved in the interface between operational and strategic decision making. He has also been responsible for a number of change programmes and has been a Deputy Chief of Staff to a number of large organisations over that time.
He has held several Board positions and is currently a Non Executive Director for Believe Housing as well as a trustee for his regimental charity. He has enjoyed the overlap between the public and private sectors and is a keen advocate on through life professional development. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and currently holds their Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction.
He has coached several individuals over the years and is a qualified executive coach with a Post Graduate Certificate from the Henley Business School. In addition he is a keen advocate for mentoring and has mentored for 2 years on the National 30% club which aims to get greater representation on boards by women.
He became a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and gained Chartered Manager status in 2020 and amongst other formal qualifications also holds a MBA and MSc in National Security Strategy.
He is passionate about helping others and would cite Integrity and Respect for others as core values.
James Willerton
Tutor
James has extensive experience in commercial and operational roles as a leader within high-growth SME
environments.
Initially working within executive recruitment within the construction industry, he has also consulted
with all sizes of organisations across multiple sectors. James brings a pragmatic, thought-provoking and
experience-led perspective to address the challenges faced by leaders today.
He supports leaders to distribute decision making and deploy coaching practice in order to achieve
sustainable growth and empower the organisation throughout.
Alex Firmin
Tutor
Alex is an experienced and dedicated education consultant and trainer. His core skillset is the design and delivery of engaging personal and professional development programmes. He is adaptable and comfortable working at any level in the organisation, from front line leaders to the Board.
Prior to working in consultancy Alex was an army officer (making it to Major). A natural diplomat, Alex studied Pashto (the language of Southern Afghanistan) and held a leadership role in supporting reconstruction and development, primarily in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Alex supported the development and delivery of the army’s global Security, Leadership and Strategy programme, and later worked to establish the curriculum for Afghanistan’s Officer Training Academy, in Kabul.
Alex has built a consultancy business and delivered a diverse portfolio of organisational development projects. He works across all sectors and his clients include the NHS, NATO, Barnardo’s, Home Bargains, a variety of Academy Trusts and schools, and many smaller businesses and charities. Alex has worked closely with the Chartered Management Institute, and routinely lectures on MBA and Director Development programmes for the Universities of York, Chester, and East London. Alex maintains a high level of currency and is currently developing programmes focussing on Distributed Leadership, and Managing Neurodivergent Colleagues.
Alex holds three Master’s degrees: Educational Innovation, Psychology, and Occupational Psychology. He is married to Katherine and has two children and two Labradors.
Our dedicated In-House Training team can work with you to create a tailored training course that creates an optimal learning experience. Our bespoke built training programmes are designed around your needs and allow you to meet the specific requirements of your business.
Click here to view our In-House Training services.
Is this course right for you?
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Develop and implement an effective organisational strategy
- Understand key elements of effective design, planning, research and stakeholder engagement
- Learn how to assess the strategic landscape, analysing the key strategic considerations
- Increase confidence to challenge and influence board level decisions and company direction
- Develop strategies for shaping and influencing change and transformation
Testimonials
Very enjoyable and engaging course, Applying real life examples to the various models.
Paul Davidson
LeeFilters, Finance Director
Philip's clear passion made a huge difference to the course.
Andrea Millington
J. Preedy & Sons Ltd T/A Preedy Glass, Financial director
Very professional and relaxed which demonstrates mastery in their respective fields.
Olga Howard
UCB, Content and Advocacy Lead
CMI L5 Coaching and Mentoring
Karina Graham
West Midlands Ambulance Service, Paramedic
CMI 7 Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Accommodation Made Easy
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Featured Courses
Location:
Virtual or Face to Face
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Frequently Asked Questions
If we have the availability on our course, you can book as many places as you need for your organisation.
However, if you have a group of seven people or more, you may find it more cost effective to book an in-house training course.
The benefits of in-house delivery go beyond cost savings; the course is tailored to your business and industry sector, making the content highly relevant, plus we’ll deliver the training at a time and date to best suit you.
We offer several different types of accreditations for our courses, from CMI Level 5 and CMI Level 7, through to Post Graduate Certificates (PGCert).
A PGCert will contribute 60 points to a Masters, and there are 180 points required for a full Masters.
You can find out more about our accreditations on our Accreditations Page.
Face to face learning is just one of the two delivery methods available for your learning, but why choose the face to face delivery option?
At In Professional Development, we ensure that your learning environment is one where you can get the most out of your study. The benefits of learning in a face to face environment means you have the opportunity to connect with, problem-solve, and network with other delegates from a wide range of backgrounds.
In Professional Development deliver the most up to date and relevant solutions, to everyday real world problems for the working professionals.
We use Zoom for our open courses, and we recommend that our delegates download the application before attending one of our courses.