There are 9 Lessons:

•  Nature and Scope of Strategic Management
• What is the Difference between Strategy & Strategic Management?
• The Importance Of Strategic Planning
• Mintzberg’s Five P’s
• How can you Use Mintzberg’s Approach?
• What Strategies Are There?
• Views of Strategy
• Levels of Decisions
• Strategic (Corporate) Level Decisions
• Tactical (Business) Level Decisions
• Operational (Functional) Level Decisions
• Where Do You Start?
• Analysis of your external environment and resource capabilities.
• Identify your mission statement.
• Identify a vision for the future.
• What are your core values and guiding principles?
• What are your long term goals and SMART objectives?
• An action plan with timelines.
• Develop a communication plan.
• Develop and implementation and monitoring plan.

2. The External Environment

• Introduction
• Why Analyse the External Environment?
• Tools of Analysis – Macro Environment
• Pestle Analysis
• Political
• Economic
• Socio-Cultural
• Technological
• Legal
• Environmental
• Porter’s Five Forces
• Bargaining Power of Suppliers
• Bargaining Power of Buyers
• Threat Of Potential New Entrants
• Threat Of Substitutes
• Extent Of Competitive Rivalry
• Competitors Review
• Competitor Profiling
• Tools of Analysis – Micro Environment
• SWOT Analysis

3.  The Internal Environment

• Purpose of Analysing the Internal Environment
• Internal Analysis Tools
• VRIO
• McKinsey 7S Framework
• Using and Applying McKinsey’s Model
• Value Chain
• Portfolio Analysis
• Competitive Advantage

4.  Strategic Management of Human Resources

• Human Resources
• Staff and Strategic Planning
• What is an HR Audit?
• Components of an HR audit
• Organisational Structure & Strategy
• Hierarchal
• Functional
• Horizontal (also known as Flat)
• Divisional
• Matrix
• Team Based
• Network
• Process
• Succession Planning
• Organisational Culture
• Adhocracy
• Clan
• Hierarchy
• Market

5.  Developing a Strategic Plan

• Business Level Versus Corporate Level Strategy
• Developing a Strategy
• What Focus are you Wanting to Achieve?
• Strategy Mapping
• Finances
• Customers
• Processes
• Learning/Growth
• Choosing the Right Strategy
• Consistency
• Suitability
• Validity
• Feasibility
• Business Risk
• Attractiveness to Stakeholders
• Strategic Plan Document
• Foundation
• Competitive Advantages
• Vision
• Strategic Objectives and Organisational Goals
• Key Performance Indicators
• Resource Implications
• Implementation
• Strategy Timeline
• Evaluation before implementation

6.  Some Initial Checks

• Resource Allocation
• Who Allocates Resources?
• Gaps In Resources
• Balanced Scorecard & Strategy Implementation
• The four perspectives
• Implementing the BSC
• Communicating the Implementation
• Evaluation
• Who Evaluates?
• What Are You Evaluating?
• What Happens After Evaluation?
• Strategy Monitoring & Control
• Creating A Control System
• Types of Control

7.  Green Strategy and Sustainability

• Sustainability
• What is a Green Strategy?
• What do Companies Need to Consider?
• Creating a more Sustainable Business Strategy
• Assess the problem and define the objectives
• What is the organisation’s mission?
• Identify the available options
• Implementation
• Sustainability and Strategy – Areas for Concern
• Management Buy-In
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Goal Type
• Poor Monitoring
• Lack Of Investment
• Not Aligning Strategies
• Loss Of Innovation
• Missed Cost Savings
• Negative Perception

8.  Managing Strategic Change

• What is Strategic Change?
• Why do we need Strategic Change?
• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Change
• Impacts of Strategic Change
• What Causes the Need for Strategic Change?
• Approaches To Managing Strategic Change – Emergent and Prescriptive Tools
• Developing A Strategic Change Plan
• Sustainable Change
• Pillars of Sustainable Change
• Leadership
• Strategy
• Culture
• Structure
• Systems
• A Model for Sustainable Change
• The Prerequisite Approach
• Building Awareness
• Levels Of Motivation and Desire
• Assess Abilities
• Creating Opportunities
• Feedback

9.  Leading Strategic Change

• Leading Strategic Change
• What is Strategic Leadership?
• Leadership and Management
• Leadership Styles
• Situational Leadership Theory
• Life Cycle of Leadership
• Contingency Theories
• Fielder
• Style Theories
• The Blake and Mouton Managerial Grid
• Informal Leadership
• Inspirational Theories
• Path Goal Theory
• Instrumental Theories
• Four Framework Leadership Model
• Limitations of Leadership Theories
• Leading Strategic Planning and Change
• Tools

• Discuss the nature and scope of Strategic Management in organisations.
• Analyse the external environment that affects an organisation’s operations
• Determine potential applications of strategic management to human resources in an organisation.
• Determine how to develop a strategic plan.
• Recommend the implementation of components of a strategic plan
• Develop socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable approaches within a strategic plan
• Explain how to manage strategic change.
• Explain how to lead or facilitate strategic changeAnalyse the external and internal environment to plan and lead a business into a direction that will help your business progress and grow.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRATEGY & STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT?

Even as a starting point the ability to define strategy can be quite challenging, with many authors developing different definitions. Alongside that, there are many different schools of thought relating to this area, which is dynamic and evolving.

However, in general terms, the concept of strategy is all about thinking ahead when making decisions. It is focused on the long-term goals and objectives of a business. The development of a strategy (within a document for example), enables a business to confirm the ways in which, and the resources that they require, in order to meet those objectives. So, there are three key parts to strategy:

• Long term goals/objectives – what is wanted to be achieved long term (3-5 years).
• Courses of action – the ways in which the objectives will be achieved.
• Resources – what will be needed in order to successfully carry out those courses of action.

The concept of strategic management, is that which involves the development of the objectives, carrying out the analysis of the competition and the internal organisation, evaluating strategies and ensuring that the strategies developed are implemented successfully. In order to be successful strategic management must be:

• Flexible
• Supported from the top
• User friendly
• A planned process i.e. it shouldn’t be a quick fix

THE IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING

Having a direction within a business is important, as this helps to determine focus in line with your capabilities and resources. However, having a direction without first having done your homework is another matter, and this is where strategy comes in.

It makes you think about where your strengths and weaknesses lie, and how/whether they can be leveraged to develop competitive advantage (where you are better than others in the same/similar markets). Alongside this, as a long-term plan, it also acknowledges where you may need to consider skill or competence development.

Don’t forget that strategic planning isn’t necessarily about carrying on the way you always have done but having the ability to look at the long-term view of the business and where you want to be.

The benefits of strategic planning are many, and far reaching. Including:

• The ability to create a single, forward focused vision for the business – this enables you to reach each employee and develops an action plan for reaching company goals. It should aim to align the company and its shareholders. Everyone should act within this strategy to be cohesive and collective.
• Forces attention to flaws and biases – without even knowing it, your decision making will come with biases which in turn can create flaws. Therefore within the strategic planning stage it’s a great opportunity to reduce these as you’re examining, and more importantly rationalising, each decision being made.
• Tracking progress – in order to show the extent to which goals are being met e.g. KPI’s, you are encouraged to track progress. This also helps everyone within the business understand the broader strategy that is being worked towards. By tracking, you’re also able to keep agile, which simply means that you have the ability to pivot and adapt.

So, the overall importance is about enabling everyone to be on the same page, to focus on the same goals and to work towards these collectively. Without a plan (the strategy), there is a greater chance of a business going backwards, and this in turn will reduce business opportunities and success. Additionally, without any plan in place, you may find that there isn’t just a negative effective on finances and success, but also on the team of people working within the business. Without clear goals, it can be very challenging and disruptive for staff, and this can lead to a lack of motivation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.