Consulting · Strategy & Change
Strategy consulting: strategy processes and strategy development
We are specialists in strategy development and strategy processes.
Strategy Consulting by initio
Strategy development and strategy consulting - definition
The term "strategy development" describes a process in which the management of a company defines which goals it wants to achieve - and how and when it wants to achieve them. We distinguish between long-term, medium-term and short-term goals.
To achieve strategic goals, it usually requires a bundle of objectives and measures that must be coordinated with each other.
Especially in larger organisations, it is therefore essential to systematise these goals and measures. A common systematisation is the division into
- strategic objectives
- primary objectives
- secondary objectives
- and measures.
This systematisation of strategic goals and measures can also be represented as a "goal pyramid":
Figure: Typical Goal Pyramid
This representation is not entirely coincidentally reminiscent of a classic organisational chart: The higher strategic goals are in the "goal hierarchy", the more likely higher hierarchical levels are responsible for their implementation.
Strategy development: A permanent management task
Due to today's increasing complexity of business and disruptive markets, strategies have to be adapted more and more quickly to ongoing developments in the corporate environment.
Classic strategy processes are often too slow and cumbersome for this purpose. Many executives have therefore asked themselves why detailed strategy processes are needed at all if the relevance of the implementation steps agreed is merely short-lived.
Agile strategy development
If markets and the economic environment change faster than strategies can be implemented, then traditional strategy processes are obviously not fast enough. In this case, strategy development in "agile mode" can be a suitable answer.
Here is an overview of the main differences between the two procedures - "classic mode" and "agile mode".
| Classic strategy process | Strategy development in agile mode |
|---|---|
| Top management develops the strategic objectives (Problem: lack of time) | A representative group of key staff takes on responsibility for strategy (Advantage: over time, strategic capability becomes embedded more widely across the company) |
| Managers from divisions and departments work on secondary strategic objectives (Problem: busy schedules, so this often takes a long time) | "Strategy circles" adapt the divisional strategy on behalf of their department (Advantage: those responsible always keep an eye on strategy) |
| The strategy process is "finished" after a year. | Strategy work becomes a continuous process in short cycles and is therefore embedded more deeply and tied into "day-to-day business". |
Difference between strategy development in "classic" and in "agile" mode
The essential characteristics of agile strategy processes are:
- A network of strategy managers is established across all levels of the company, who, besides their daily tasks, constantly keep an eye on strategic implications of recent developments.
- Strategic capability in the organisation increases and expands beyond traditional leaders to competent team members.
- Strategy processes are conducted in significantly shorter cycles
It is not uncommon for strategy groups from different divisions and teams to collaborate across hierarchies and divisions. Delegation and decision-making principles from "circle organisations" (holacracy) are increasingly used.
Free Initial Consultation
You can find out more about our agile approaches in a free initial consultation. Or you can first get an overview of some of our strategy methods
Consulting for Strategy Development
We are specialists in strategy development and strategy processes - both in agile and "classic" mode.
In strategy processes we act in different roles:
- as sparring partners
- as strategy coaches
- by steering the overall process
- by establishing agile ways of working in strategy teams
- Agile strategy consulting
Our Range of Services
Our Approach in Strategy Consulting
- Listen and understand
- Alignment of goals and success indicators
- Detailed offer with
- A description of the "as-is" situation and proposal on how to proceed
- Implications and conclusions
- Outline of a process architecture or workshop design according to the criteria formulated above.
- commercial offer
- Credentials, References
- Proposal for the process architecture / workshop design
- Planning and implementation of the process
- Continuous adaptation of the process to recent results, new findings and developments during the course of the process
- Conclusion of the process, review, joint "learning loop" ("lessons learned").
Strategy Consulting Online, Virtual or "Classic"
We offer our strategy processes or individual strategy workshops online or in "classic" mode, face to face. Get a free initial consultation!
Your benefits
- A solution that fits: The experience your organisation already has is put to use
- A high likelihood of implementation: Resistance during implementation of the action plan will be low if the main stakeholder groups have been actively involved in developing the solution.
- Lasting strength for your organisation: Knowledge and insights come from your own company and will continue to develop there, even once the consultants have gone.
- Wide acceptance of the solutions: Objections, concerns and further information have already been taken into account while the solutions were being developed.
- Growth in capability: More responsibility for strategy in line management leads to a marked growth in capability and to greater ownership within the team
- An improved company culture: Room for strategic manoeuvre encourages independent thinking and action in areas that matter strategically
- Easier strategy communication: Involving staff more closely in strategy topics makes them better able to speak about the strategy themselves and reduces the effort that strategy communication takes
- Fewer surprises during implementation: Possible complexity and challenges have been thought through from every angle beforehand and are reflected in the approach developed together.
- Lasting strength for your company: With our interactive methods, a strategy process guided by initio also builds the team and is highly motivating.
- Fewer conflicts: We always make sure that all relevant information and perspectives are included in the strategy process. Those involved come to understand the perspectives of other divisions and departments. That knowledge has a lasting effect in future discussions and agreements on other questions.
- Lower costs: Solutions developed from within fit precisely and keep resistance to implementation to a minimum
- A leaner process: The project takes less time overall, because managers share responsibility from the outset
- Lasting strength at leadership level: Knowledge is generated within the company and stays there even after the process has ended
- Leadership development within the strategy process: Strategy development processes are an excellent opportunity to develop new talent
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does a strategy development consultation process work?
How long does a strategy development process take?
Who should be involved in a strategy development process?
Which references and experience in strategy processes do we have?
What our clients say
Clients on working with us
A very helpful, well-run workshop. The results served us well through the restructuring phase too.
The strategy workshop was exceptionally productive. You kept the group focused on what mattered throughout. We recommend your facilitation without reservation.
It was striking how much came out of our workshop. That was outstanding.
We received very positive feedback on your training. Thank you for that.
You prepared our workshop thoroughly and precisely. Both the method and the facilitation fitted our objectives very well. We were able to carry on working very successfully with the results. Many thanks.
Thanks again for the excellent workshop — we have already started putting the first ideas into practice, and enjoying it.
Many thanks for a genuinely helpful seminar.
I thoroughly enjoyed working with you, personally and professionally, and it was a great pleasure to run this workshop with you.
You facilitated our two-day strategy workshop very professionally. It was a demanding brief and the result is very good. Thank you for that.
A big thank you for facilitating the workshop. We came out of the day as a team, with a good sense of togetherness and a clearer picture of the way ahead. The workshop was well worth it.
Thanks again for the excellent workshop — we are very happy with the outcome.
That was a really great workshop, thank you.
Free initial consultation
Let's talk.
We have more than 21 years of experience and are glad to advise you. Book your free initial consultation and we will get back to you.