Introduction To Strategy For Coaches Webcast

Our inaugural webcast has been reworked and recorded. All parts will be posted online and available in the membership area which can be accessed by pointing your browser to:

http://members.strategyforcoaches.com/

You will need your username and password provided to you in your introductory email. Simply log into your membership area and watch the webcast as new parts are added. There will be a live discussion on the following dates:

· Thursday, May 20th, 2010 at 12:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM
· Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 at 12:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM
· Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 at 12:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM

(All times are Greenwich Mean Time)

A detailed brochure of the webcast can be found here:

http://www.strategyforcoaches.com/webcastbrochure.pdf

Seminar Outline

Did you ever wonder why some businesses always seem to outmaneuver their competitors? Regardless of downturns in the economy or unexpected setbacks that would cripple most businesses, these companies consistently thrive. Businesses like these can be found in every industry from cottage to high tech and come in all sizes from home based to giant multinationals. They all share one thing in common – a capable strategy. In fact, a capable strategy is one of the best indicators of future success.

On a fundamental level, strategy teaches you how to compete. Since competitive forces shape almost every aspect of our lives and businesses, learning strategy can be one of the best investments you’ll ever make. Unfortunately, very few people understand strategy. The objective of this webcast is to introduce the discipline of strategy and demonstrate how knowledge of just a few aspects can address some of the challenging issues facing many coaches.

An Introduction To Strategy
Strategy is one of the most misused words in the English language. You’ll learn what strategy is and what it is not. You’ll learn a few of the key principles of strategy and the difference between strategy and tactics. The concept of the strategy paradox will be explained.

Competitive Strategy
You’ll be presented with several examples of both good and bad strategies and you’ll learn the typical process that is used to create, plan, manage and execute strategies.

Competitive Advantage
A situational analysis is one of the first steps required to formulate any strategy. You’ll learn the basics of situational analysis and be introduced to the concept of competitive advantage. Jack Welch, former Chairman & CEO of GE, once remarked: “If you don’t have a competitive advantage, don’t compete.” You’ll learn the basics of creating competitive advantage and how to use this to craft an effective business strategy.

Systems Thinking
When confronted by complexity, our natural instinct is to simplify matters by breaking the system of interest into its component parts and studying them as a basis for understanding the system as a whole. There are advantages to this approach, but there are also disadvantages. Another approach involves systems thinking. You’ll be introduced to systems thinking and how it can be used to solve dilemmas that thwart typical problem-solving tactics. You’ll also learn how systems thinking relates to strategy.

Scenario Planning
Many people equate strategy with planning, but typical planning occurs in controlled environments where it is appropriate to create specific goals. Strategy occurs in contested environments that are subject to unexpected and sudden changes. Indeed, world-renowned management theorist Dr. Henry Mintzberg speaks of the death of strategic planning and argues that it must eventually give way to a process of continuous, guided evolution. Scenario planning is a useful tool for dealing with uncertainty.