Award winning strategy course
Our multi-award winning strategy course on ‘Developing and Implementing Effective Strategy’ is a great way to develop a new strategy AND upskill and empower your strategy making team
Stand out with an award-winning strategy course backed by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
This multi award winning and nationally recognised strategy course combines practical tools with strategic insight to achieve real results. It uses the development of a strategy for your organisation (or an example organisation) as the vehicle for learning transfer, which makes it ideal for organisations looking to both develop a new strategy and invest in the capability of their people. It’s a win–win: delivering measurable results for your organisation while upskilling and recognising your most valuable asset – your people.
You can find out more about our award winning strategy course by scrolling down or just clicking on the subject headings in the index below, which will take you to the relevant section:
- What is the aim of the course?
- Who is it for?
- How long does it last?
- How much does it cost?
- What does the course cover?
- What tools, techniques and frameworks are covered?
- Is there a detailed course specification?
- Is it nationally recognised?
- What does CMI recognition mean?
- Do attendees gain a qualification?
- Has it won any awards?
- What do our clients say about the course?
What is the aim of the strategy course?
The aim of the course is ‘to equip delegates with the knowledge and skills required to lead and/or contribute to the development and implementation of effective strategy in complex and ever-changing environments.’
Who is it for?
This strategy course is for anyone who needs to understand how to develop and implement effective strategy and is ideal for mid to senior level company executives and government officials, board members (both executive and non-executive), charity trustees, school governors and strategy development teams.
How long does it last?
We can deliver the course over three, four or five days. The course is delivered face-to-face in person but can also be delivered remotely if required.
How much does it cost?
The aim is to deliver a cost-effective course that even small organisations can afford. The actual price depends on how many people we have on the course and where it’s taking place. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements so we can give you a price.
What does the course cover?
The course teaches delegates to apply the proven five stage approach for developing strategy described in The Quick Guide to Effective Strategy, Craig Lawrence’s best selling ‘how to’ strategy development book.
Drawing on the book, delegates learn a range of tools, techniques and frameworks that can help them develop practical strategies that deliver real-world results. You can see some of the tools, techniques and frameworks below.
Use the below buttons to find out more about the book and the approach it describes or watch one of our short strategy films, which are based on material covered during the course, to get a feel for how we see strategy.
Some of the tools, techniques and frameworks covered during the course
- Critical thinking and constructive challenge.
- Framing ‘wicked’, ’adaptive’ and ‘gnarly’ problems.
- The Futures Cone and the Three Horizons Model.
- Envisioning and Rich Pictures.
- Environmental analysis (using PESTLE and ‘impact’/ ‘likelihood’ to map opportunities & threats).
- Stakeholder analysis (using ‘power’/’interest’).
- SWOT Matrix to capture the outcome of analysis.
- The 8 characteristics of the most effective strategies.
- The ‘Five Tests of Strategy’ (to assess whether the strategy is likely to be successful).
- The McKinsey 7-S Framework (to assess whether the implementing organisation is aligned behind a strategy).
- Action plans and risk registers.
- Red Teaming, wargaming, premorteming and ROC Drills.
- Generative AI in developing strategy.
- Strategic narratives and communications plans.
Course specification
Learn more about the course by downloading the detailed specification using the below button. This describes the content in more detail and identifies the learning objectives that you will achieve by the end of the strategy course.
Is the strategy course nationally recognised?
The course is recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), which is the UK’s only organisation able to award Chartered Manager status.
What does CMI ‘recognition’ mean?
It means that the CMI has reviewed the structure and content of the course and mapped it against its own professional competencies. In reviewing the course for recognition, the CMI noted that the strategy course was ‘a robust and well-designed programme.’
Do attendees gain a qualification?
Delegates who successfully complete the course are eligible to join the CMI as Foundation Chartered Managers, a professional status designed to help them stand out from the competition and continue their management career journeys with all the benefits of CMI membership to support them. In recognition of their professional status, delegates are eligible to put the postnominals ‘fCMgr’ after their names.
Has the strategy course won any awards?
Yes. Our strategy course on ‘Developing and Implementing Effective Strategy’ has received three national awards for excellence in its design and delivery – first in September 2023, again in August 2024 and again in November 2025. The awards, which are competitive, were made by Corporate Vision, an organisation that provides an invaluable resource for leaders and decision makers looking to improve the way they manage their operations, staff, technology, business partnerships and supply chains with a view to creating a more profitable and successful business.
What do our clients say about the course?
‘A very enjoyable and thought provoking three days. I liked that we did move at pace…The draft strategy is exceedingly useful…I was singing your praises to a CEO of another charity this week for the work you have done with us.’ CEO of national charity
‘Really enjoyable couple of days and great fun to spend with the team. Craig was fantastic and got everyone thinking. It was rewarding to come up with a strategy that everyone has fed into and a great opportunity to hear everyone’s honest reflections on what we do well and what we do less well. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought and would certainly recommend it to my contacts.’ Executive Director, international recruitment company
‘An excellent course. I appreciate the strong process which was delivered by excellent professionals. The process taught and applied during the course, provides an excellent system to develop a strategic plan/strategy.’ Government official, Cayman Islands
‘Thank you so much for the amazing and informative course. I’m so glad I was part of the team.’ Middle Eastern Delegate
‘Excellent course – great presentations and information supplied. Great teamworking by all – shows that various departments can come together and produce results.’ Government official, Cayman Islands
‘The course was more fun and engaging than I expected.’ Middle Eastern delegate