The frameworks of strategic analysis are proven tools you can use to help you identify your organization's unique, sustainable opportunities and form a sound strategy to achieve your mission. This rigorous approach to strategy will help you evaluate the critical features of your external environment, identify the unique value you can bring to your community, and ensure you allocate resources to the most valuable initiatives.
Strategy is taught by:
-
Luis Martins, Ph.D.
Georgia Institute of Technology -
Violina Rindova, JD, PH.D.
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas-Austin
Key Learning
This three-day seminar uses analysis of case studies, class discussions and extensive team exercises to give you both a theoretical and a practical understanding of strategy development. You'll learn to:
- analyze your competitive environment through systematic examination of competition, markets, and resources;
- identify and evaluate alternative strategies;
- manage stakeholder relationships
- integrate your mission and your strategy;
- balance artistic and economic choices; and
- optimize your allocation of scarce resources
Seminar Sessions
Day One
Session 1: Core Strategy Concepts
Through an in-depth class discussion of an organizational case study, you identify core concepts of strategy and competitive advantage.
Session 2: Analyzing the External Environment
The faculty facilitate a case discussion in which you explore a framework for systematic examination of competition, markets, and resources to identify opportunities in your environment.
Session 3: Responding to Increasing Competition
In continued examination of the external environment for arts and cultural organizations, you explore how to recognize and respond to increased competition.
Session 4: Applying the Core Concepts
Working with your team from your organization, you apply these new concepts to a familiar organization, using new tools to analyze a seemingly well-known situation.
Day Two
Session 1: Understanding Stakeholders
A variety of stakeholders are essential players in the formation and the realization of a strategy. In this session, you explore the relationship between mission, clients, donors, board, and staff.
Session 2: Integrating Artistic and Economic Choices
You explore the strategic tensions that can exist between programmatic and economic goals, and how to effectively manage those tensions.
Session 3: Applying the Complete Strategy Framework
In a continuation of the exercise from the end of day one, you apply the additional strategic concepts discussed during the second day.
Session 4: Developing Your Organizational Strategy
You work with your organizational team to apply the strategy framework to your organization in a structured, team-based exercise. The faculty provide feedback to help you refine your thinking.
Day Three
Session 1: Putting it All Together
Through an in-depth discussion of an organizational case study, you work with the class to apply, test, and reflect on all of the strategic concepts covered in the first two days of the seminar.
Session 2: Your Organizational Strategy
Most of this day of the seminar is spent working with your team to apply the strategic concepts to your own organization. These facilitated exercises result in a structured analysis and path of action for your organization.
Recommended Team
Strategy is designed for your top program, management, and board leadership. In selecting your team, it will be helpful to include:
- Board, management, and program leaders responsible for setting your organization's direction
- Key staff required to effectively execute strategy
We strongly recommend a team of three or more people; large organizations should consider sending larger teams. Seminar participants always reiterate that the exercises are more rewarding with a team and they find it easier to implement and integrate new concepts when other key staff and board are familiar with the frameworks.
