Roberts & Roberts Associates - Strategy Planning and Execution

"Plans are nothing; planning is everything."
¾ Dwight Eisenhower

This intensive 1-day training program consists of three essential parts: 1) managing the strategic thinking and planning process, 2) creating a viable strategic plan, and 3) putting the plan into action. The emphasis is on strategic thinking and planning as it applies to public-sector organizations . . . taking into consideration the special challenges that such organizations face, their dependence on public trust, and a "bottom-line" that is predicated on making an impact on society, rather than making a profit for investors. Because of these and other factors, public organizations require more from strategic planning than the traditional SWOT framework can deliver.

– Topical Outline –

The mind of a strategist—what research tells us about how strategic thinkers think and make decisions

The relationship between systems thinking and strategic thinking

The DIKW hierarchy and how it influences strategic outlook

Recognizing and avoiding analysis paralysis

The problem with benchmarks

When is it safe to trust intuition?

Strategic planning in public organizations—distinguishing characteristics

The strategic planning process—laying out an action plan to guide the process

Tips and techniques for securing buy-in and engaging others in the process

Opportunity discovery—putting tools, techniques, and best practices to work

Identifying and establishing selection criteria

Devising alternative scenarios that anticipate uncertainties and possible futures

Establishing priorities and evaluating tradeoffs objectively

Avoiding groupthink, mental anchors, confirmation bias, and other decision errors

Identifying and assessing risks

Agreeing on the 3-S framework for the plan—substance, style, and structure

Putting it all together—drafting, reviewing, and refining the plan

Formulating a strategy communication and execution plan

Tracking and controlling the execution of the plan

Modifying the plan to accommodate current realities and changing priorities

Strategic planning toolkit (a CD-ROM with helpful files, issued to each participant)

This course was designed and is instructed by the author of the book . . .

Since public organizations vary widely in their missions, opportunities, and challenges, this program will be tailored to deal with strategic thinking and planning issues that pertain to a particular client.

Duration: 1-day.

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Training & Development Programs for
Administrative Professionals

Roberts & Roberts Associates is proud to offer The Platinum Series™ ... a set of top-tier courses specially geared for contemporary administrative professionals and the challenges they face in the workplace. Participants will be issued a certificate of completion that complies with the documentation requirements for CAP^® and CPS^®recertification. Courses are available on demand and are occasionally offered on an open-enrollment basis. The courses are also available for sponsorship by associations, franchises, and other groups. To request information, click here.

Here is a synopsis of the courses in the series:

Analytical Skills for
Administrative Professionals™

This 2-day course builds skills in three areas: 1) detecting and preventing potential problems - making others aware of problems before they escalate or spiral out of control; 2) making real-time decisions by rapidly assessing the facts and assumptions; and 3) identifying logical errors, false conclusions, and unsubstantiated assertions. You will also learn how to use MS Excel to analyze data and create compelling charts and graphs. A customized 1-day version of this course is also available. (For more details on this course, click here.)

Practical Project Management for
Administrative Professionals™

In this 2-day course you will learn how to use a 10-step framework to plan and organize projects that are of the scope and variety that administrative professionals typically encounter. You will also learn how to use certain tools in the project manager’s “toolkit” to assist in executing projects, tracking progress, and dealing with the difficult “human challenges” that are known to accompany high-pressure, high-profile project. A customized 1-day version of this course is also available.

Multitasking Skills and Tools for
Administrative Professionals™

This 1-day course is designed to deal with the challenges that virtually every administrative professional faces: How to juggle multiple tasks while supporting multiple internal customers—each of whom feels that his or her projects and tasks should take top priority. In this course you will learn practical skills in managing multiple tasks and dealing with competing and concurrent demands for your time, energy, and attention from multiple sources.

Tact and Diplomacy Skills for
Administrative Professionals™

Administrative professionals are required to be masters at communicating their thoughts and ideas. They must be adept at asking questions, presenting facts, expressing opinions, and getting their point across in delicate situations ... without coming across as abrasive or insensitive. This 1-day course emphasizes practical skills in dealing with these very difficult challenges. Scenarios and exercises are used throughout the course to reinforce the skills.

Negotiating and Persuasion Skills for
Administrative Professionals™

Whether negotiating with superiors, customers, peers, or vendors, administrative professionals encounter negotiating "opportunities" every day. In this 1-day course you will learn practical skills for negotiating with peers and associates in situations involving task assignments, priorities, resource utilization, and other matters that are internal to the organization. You will also acquire skills in negotiating with vendors and suppliers for issues involving costs, features, terms, and conditions.

Writing and Editing Skills for
Administrative Professionals™

Whether writing a memorandum, e-mail message, or department manual, it is important to apply certain principles to ensure the information you wish to convey is communicated clearly, accurately, and succinctly. In this 1-day course you will learn skills for enhancing your writing ability. You will learn how to frame your message to get the reader's attention and evoke a response when needed. You will also learn how review and tactfully recommend changes to documents that have been prepared by others.

Conducting Internal Surveys and Needs Analyses™

This 2-day course is designed for administrative professionals who are called upon to conduct internal surveys to collect data in support of organizational decisions and initiatives. Surveys may be used to assess training needs, the effectiveness of internal communications, or employee attitudes toward a recent policy change ... to name a few. Participants will learn how to design a valid survey instrument, administer the survey, use incentives to increase the response rate, compile the data, and create a report of the results.

Delivering Presentations to Co-Workers and Managers™

As the responsibilities of administrative professionals have expanded many are now asked to deliver presentations to their peers and managers. For example, they may be called upon to brief co-workers on the use of a new office system, or they may be asked to deliver a summary presentation to managers on the results of a recent internal survey. In this 1-day course, participants will learn how to analyze the information needs of the audience and then prepare and deliver a compelling presentation with confidence.

Excel for Right-Brain Thinkers™

This 1-day course is for individuals needing a basic knowledge of Excel and who might also describe themselves as "right-brain" thinkers ... non-analytic types who learn best by starting with the "big picture" rather than memorizing an array of commands and functions. The course uses an innovative approach based on examining actual worksheets and then giving the participants ample opportunity on their own to produce modified versions of the examples. This engaging "side door" approach enhances both comprehension and retention.

To inquire about an on-site or customized workshop, call us at (972) 596-2956 or
send an e-mail message to: info@r2assoc.com

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