This program has been designed for:

• People in management and director positions who are currently responsible for drawing up and implementing business strategies and business plans.
• Those who are about to be promoted into senior line and staff positions who want to broaden their understanding of general management
• Entrepreneurs starting or already running their own businesses
• Students looking for practical examples and illustrations of what they are covering in class

• 8 case studies; Spur Steak Ranches, Burberry, Pick 'n Pay then and now, Scott of the Antarctic, Greendale Nursery, McDonald's, Irvin & Johnson, Shaka Zulu
• More than 30 interactive exercises
• 4 checklists; Business strategy checklist, Running a strategy conference, Contents of a strategic plan, Framework for business unit strategy presentation
• Fully searchable text

This publication consists of 4 parts:

Part 1 - Defining Business Strategy

• What is strategy, exactly?
• Defining business success
• The components of strategy
• Products and markets
• Your business model
• Corporate strategy and business strategy
• Unwritten strategy
• Strategy and personal values
• A model for developing strategy

Part 2 - Strategic Analysis

• The external environment
• The internal environment (strengths and weaknesses)
• Corporate culture
• Past financial performance

Part 3 - Developing Strategies

• Developing a Mission Statement
• Setting objectives
• Corporate strategy
• Business unit strategy
• Completing the plan

Part 4 - Implementing Strategy

• Ten steps in implementing strategy
• Managing change
• Integrating strategic management with other management processes

The publication will provide learners with

• The skills to facilitate and manage the strategic planning process in your organisation
• Various analytical models used to analyse strategic alternatives
• Tools to evaluate competitor activities and industry developments
• A logical approach to developing strategy in order to exercise effective strategic leadership and strategic thinking
• Enhanced understanding of, and ability to, implement a business strategy and measure strategic performance

John Stretch is a consultant and teacher specialising in business strategy, finance, and planning processes.

A Chartered Accountant with a Masters degree in Finance, he presents public and in-company workshops in his subject areas each year, throughout Southern Africa and in the United Kingdom. As a consultant he facilitates strategy sessions and designs systems to integrate strategy, budgeting and performance analysis.

He is a visiting lecturer at the Graduate Schools of Business of the Universities of Stellenbosch, Mauritius and the Witwatersrand, where he teaches on executive programs. He also teaches regularly at the London Institute for International Research.