Strategic Analysis This is a term often used with an assumption that the people hearing it understand its meaning.Strategic Analysis is said to be: ‘… the process of conducting research on the business environment within which an organisation operates and on the organisation itself, in order to formulate strategy.’ BNET Business Dictionary What is meant by the term "strategic analysis" differs from academic to academic and business o business, however there are some common factors. These … [Read more...] about Strategic Analysis
Business Diagnostic Models
Business Diagnostic Models There are many business diagnostic models available but are they all the same? DAVID LEYSERMAN said:A business diagnostic can refer to an activity or a tool used to carry out the activity and of course there are different tools for different jobs. Some diagnostic tools are quick and dirty questionnaires while others are elaborate exercises with scientifically validated outcomes. Diagnostics range from a general business health check through to drilling down into … [Read more...] about Business Diagnostic Models
Marketing plan for a training company
How to develop a marketing plan for your training company What is a marketing plan? A Marketing Plan is sometimes called a marketing strategy, in essence it is an action plan of what it is you are going to do to promote your business. Like any SMART goal it is a written plan that states the marketing goals and the objectives to be achieved over a specified period of time.So if you are currently in business or looking to set up a training company or starting out in freelance training, the … [Read more...] about Marketing plan for a training company
One Page Business Plan – how to write
One Page Business Plan This article on simple one page business planning has been on the agenda for some time but never quite made it to the keyboard. Often when I run business advice sessions one of the biggest barriers to many people starting a business – or at least a barrier in their head is the business plan. They go on course, read business start-up websites and they all say you must start with a plan – well they are right – but not the sort of plan that many of the business books … [Read more...] about One Page Business Plan – how to write
PRIMO-F business growth model
PRIMO-F - The Business Growth Model The PRIMO-F model was developed as part of a SWOT analysis of an organization. It provides a consistent framework for comparison either from within the organization or to benchmark against a previous analysis or benchmark against other organizations.The PRIMO-F model was based on some research work from the Durham University Business School (DUBS), looking at what makes an organization and it's management effective.This research demonstrated that … [Read more...] about PRIMO-F business growth model
5 common mistakes in doing a SWOT analysis
The SWOT analysis is one of the most common diagnostic tools used in business. It's four simple perspectives provide a framework which is easy to follow and yet the tool is so often misunderstood. Why do so many people make these common 5 mistakes in SWOT analysis implementations?Lets remind ourselves what this is - SWOT = Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.The Strengths and Weaknesses are internal factors. The opportunities and threats are external factors.Some … [Read more...] about 5 common mistakes in doing a SWOT analysis
SWOT analysis – What careers coaches won’t tell you
The SWOT analysis can be a great career planning and development tool, but not in the way that many career coaches and educational tutors suggest.Since 2006 when I first started writing about the use of SWOT analysis, I have seen very little change in the way that SWOT is explained. As a result, many people new to the model either misunderstand it or use it believing it to have little value. That is a shame, as the tool [SWOT analysis] is robust and flexible. This flexibility also leads to … [Read more...] about SWOT analysis – What careers coaches won’t tell you
ICAEW Directors Briefings #Updated
Directors briefings are for senior managers and strategic decision makers. Directors Briefings, Resources for busy professionals:Every now and again as a consultant, manager or business adviser we need to put our hands on short, accurate and trusted materials covering a wide range of topics.In a previous blog entry, I highlighted some of the fact-sheets available from the CIPD most of which are open to any web site visitor. In the same way that the CIPD fact-sheets provide HR based … [Read more...] about ICAEW Directors Briefings #Updated
PRIMO-F Model for Business Development
PRIMO-F the Business Growth Model Often in organizations we use a SWOT analysis as a way of identifying priorities and areas for improvement. While theSWOT is a wonderfully flexible tool, it is too easy to miss out key elements. We tend to use a SWOT based on our experiences, rather than the actual situational needs.As SWOT analysis is made up of two internal elements (SW) and two external elements (OT) it is helpful to use a structure to give us a guide for what should be … [Read more...] about PRIMO-F Model for Business Development
SWOT Analysis for Education, Schools, Colleges and Universities
SWOT analysis for schools, teachers and education, colleges and universities - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats in an educational environment.A SWOT analysis for schools is a tool that can provide prompts to the governors, management teachers and staff involved in the study of what is practical and less effective in the schools' systems and procedures — often used in preparation for a plan of some form (that could be an audit, assessments, quality checks etc.).A SWOT can … [Read more...] about SWOT Analysis for Education, Schools, Colleges and Universities
How To Write A Business Diagnostic Tool
How To Develop A Business Diagnostic — a recipe for success Almost every consulting firm you look at offer a business health check or diagnostic tool of some kind. Often these are free. Sometimes they are premium. But do they work? this article explores what is required to write a Business Diagnostic Tool. Unfortunately many look sexy and seem on the surface to offer real value. But are they what they seem? Many of these tools only look at a narrow part of your organization. But your business … [Read more...] about How To Write A Business Diagnostic Tool
Internal and External Factors that impact the employment relationship
The employment relationship between the employer and employee can often be dynamic. There are many internal and external factors that impact the employment relationship. The environment in which we operate is in constant change or flux. To develop effective employee engagement, leadership and Human Resources teams need to be aware of the factors that can impact the relationship. What is the employment relationship? According to the ILO:The employment relationship is the legal link between … [Read more...] about Internal and External Factors that impact the employment relationship
5 common mistakes in doing a PESTLE analysis
The PEST or PESTLE analysis is one of the most common diagnostic tools used in marketing and business planning. Its six basic perspectives provide a framework for understanding external factors which may impact the organization, which is easy to follow and yet the tool is so often misunderstood.PESTLE - Political, Economic, Sociological, Ecological, Legal, Environmental.PESTLE provides the external perspective to a SWOT analysis...where: PESTLE + PRIMO-F = SWOT Six simple rules for … [Read more...] about 5 common mistakes in doing a PESTLE analysis
Future proof your business – Effective Business Planning
Future proof your business - Effective Business Planning In the current economic climate, the most many of us can do is batten down the hatches and hope that we can weather the storm.Many of us will be looking to cut and minimise expenses and costs (which is the right thing to do) but what costs do we cut? Where should we be investing?In the previous downturns those that kept looking forwards were the ones which recovered quickest and have made more profit. Identifying what we should … [Read more...] about Future proof your business – Effective Business Planning
Critical Success Factors (CSF’s) Made Easy. A step by step guide
Critical Success Factors - Analysis made easy, a step by step guideHow to Determine the Critical Success Factors for your organization Identify>> Determine>> Deploy>> Measure What are Critical Success Factors? This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview and application of Critical Success Factors. use the links below to jump to the section of most interest. What are Critical Success Factors (CSF's)?Being practical when using CSF'sAcademic Background/ … [Read more...] about Critical Success Factors (CSF’s) Made Easy. A step by step guide
SWOT analysis and university students
SWOT Analysis - an email question Yes another article on SWOT analysis.On this site we have several pages exploring the SWOT analysis, and from time to time we receive emails asking for help. Usually from students on university or professional courses studying Management, Business studies or Human Resources.On this occasion I felt that rather then just a personal reply, that it should form the content of an article in its own right. The question was: I came across your website, and … [Read more...] about SWOT analysis and university students
Organizational Diagnostic Reviews
What is a Diagnostic Review? Before exploring the function and content of a Diagnostic Review lets understand what we mean.Diagnostic - Refers to something that is used to determine the cause or disorder in a function/ organization.Review - A commentary, often with criticism or correction. Also a report providing a critical consideration of a work or activity. A diagnostic review examines an organizations management and financial systems and practices. Diagnostic reviews are generally … [Read more...] about Organizational Diagnostic Reviews
What is a Strategic Analysis?
What is a Strategic Analysis? A strategic analysis is an external review of what is happening in the environment in which your organization operates now, as well as short, medium and long term futures.It requires looking at several situations:What is happening now that may impact the organisation What might happen that could impact the organization What is the organizations response likely to be to change? How well prepared are the people in the organization to respond to … [Read more...] about What is a Strategic Analysis?
