Practical Business Planning Workshop

Business planning is an essential management tool enabling an enterprise both to succeed in a global marketplace and to be accountable to its shareholders, but the process must be supported by effective project management to ensure that plans do not become merely decorative “shelfware”.

Too often, business planning is an onerous annual chore driven by financial numbers alone, instead of a powerful method of defining and delivering profitable change for the organization.

This short Practical Business Planning Workshop, demonstrates a practical and robust method to produce a business vision, based on analysis and debate, which is then delivered through a coherent programme of projects delivered by engaged and accountable managers. The emphasis here is on practical hands-on training in use of the methodology.

This Practical Business Planning Workshop will feature:

• What does a good plan look like?
• What is the practical payoff for the organization?
• Organizing and Resourcing a regular annual time-bound exercise
• Demonstration of a simple and robust process to generate a powerful plan
• Getting the right people around the table in the right setting with the right mind-set

By the end of this Practical Business Planning Workshop, participants will be able to:

• Design and deliver a business planning process which suits their business
• Mobilize the resources and information required to produce a robust business plan
• Analyze their business environment to develop a plan which will deliver the “business vision”
• Finalize and communicate a business plan to the stakeholders affected by the plan
• Direct and manage the delivery of the plan through a coherent PRINCE2 programme

This Practical Business Planning workshop will use a variety of proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension and retention of the information presented. This includes classroom based learning with a competitive practical team element. Case studies and practical simulations of the business plan processes producing outline plans for a case study client. Production of a plan for an imaginary company with role-play exercises using the proven methodology.

This Practical Business Planning workshop is designed for senior and middle managers who are aspiring to general management positions and individuals seeking an understanding of this key element of the top manager’s tool kit. It is also relevant to C-level leaders looking to expand their businesses.

This Practical Business Planning Workshop is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Senior Leaders in Marketing, Finance, Operations and HR functions
• Headquarters staff in complex organizations across all business sectors and public administration
• Departmental Heads responsible for components of the business plan
• Senior Programme and Project Management Staff
• Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) leaders aiming to grow their businesses