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What tools can assist me in thinking strategically?
Home » Executive Coaching » Strategic Thinking » What tools can assist me in thinking strategically?You’ll find an infinite number of business books on the market today that focus on strategic thinking and research. Take time to review your options. Read customer comments and reviews to help you surf through the endless sea of options. Not all books are created equally; some really are better than others.
Investigate workshops that help you find the balance between today’s expectations and tomorrow’s opportunities. Many of these come in the form of executive leadership training or vision casting workshops. Popular workshop providers include the American Management Association, the American Marketing Association and countless business think tanks.
Networking through business forums can be another sure-fire way to learn how to think strategically. Many forums are conducted by civic or community organizations including the chamber of commerce, local Rotary Club or nearby universities. Take advantage of the free advice.
Finally, conduct your own SWOT review. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats:
S – What are your company’s internal strengths? Are your distribution operations second to none? Focus on the internal aspects that make the company strong.
W – Look at your internal weaknesses. Do you lack a credible sales force? Is the R&D department short on innovative young thinkers?
O – Opportunities are external. Is your type of product riding a wave of new-found popularity? Is your industry being de-regulated, allowing for unprecedented growth? What other external market factors are setting the stage for a good harvest?
T – Threats, too, are external. Will foreign competition price you out of the marketplace? Will new government regulations make it more difficult to introduce your products to market?
Know your SWOT and be prepared to defend it.
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- What tools can assist me in thinking strategically?