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| Corporate responsibility | February, 2009 | ||||
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Dear As I was reading endless articles about how Britain needs a strategy to deal with snowy weather (tow us nearer to the south of France, have mountains of salt deposited in every corner of the country), it reminded me of the need to educate the media about how resources, as well as any desired outcomes, have to be considered. Any business strategy that doesn't include a deep understanding of resources is going to be skating on thin ice. So, it seems an excellent time to consider doing Kim Warren's new online course booking with the special SPS members' discount. Also of note this month is the offer of free places for SPS members to attend the Strategic Value in Corporate Reporting awards. You can see the details of this great event just below but do respond soon if you want to be there, as the number of places is limited and the event was completely full last year. 
James Leaton Gray, Chairman |
» In this issue: SPS news Research and insight Events and workshops Sponsor |
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| » SPS news | ||||
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Exciting new member benefit Kim Warren at London Business School has developed a new approach to business management that looks at how an organisation's resources accumulate and deplete, are developed into a strategic architecture and impact on organisational performance. The SPS is pleased to announce that this course is available online and Strategy Dynamics is offering a 10% discount to readers of the e-newsletter or a 25% discount to members of the Society. To claim your discount, quote 'SPSNews' in the coupon box on checkout. If you are a member of SPS please login to the members' area of the SPS website for a 25% members' discount code. See the Strategy Dynamics website for more information on the course. |
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Strategic Value in Corporate Reporting awards The Society will present its annual Strategic Value in Corporate Reporting awards on Wednesday 29 April at the Royal Over-Seas League. There are ten awards this year. Mark Goyder will co-present the awards with the respective sponsors. Goyder is Founder Director of Tomorrow's Company, the much-admired research organisation and think-tank, focused on the future for business. The theme of his keynote speech will be 'Sustainability in Annual Reporting'. The list of confirmed award sponsors already includes FutureValue, The HR Society, Newport Business School, Rare Corporate Design and Shaping Tomorrow, with more to be announced. This is an early evening event from 6:00pm to 8:30pm with drinks and canapés. The event is free to members and there are only a limited number of places available, on a first-come-first-served basis. Judging by the acclaim of last year's event this is not to be missed. The awards' shortlists will be published in early April. It is worth joining the Society just for this! For more information or to reserve a place email Ian McDonald Wood. |
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| » Research and insight | ||||
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Corporate responsibility black hole As companies face ever-increasing expectations to factor in social and environmental sustainability practices as part of business basics, there is a danger that corporate responsibility goals will get lost in the middle management black hole. In the December issue of Strategy Magazine, David Grayson explains how developing a system of champions can help managers to meet the goals set by the top level and avoid burnout in the process.
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From strategy to action: involvement and influence in top-level decisions Given that over half of all strategic initiatives fail, authors Susan Miller, David Hickson and David Wilson investigate who is responsible. Using a database of 55 initiatives in 14 UK organisations, initiatives were tracked from decision-making to implementation, with attention focused on the 14 most influential interests. Interested parties, such as the CEO, delivery and marketing are core, with others such as finance being involved. Success depends upon there being adequate relevant experience and good receptivity in the organisation, with the core heavyweights being responsible for ensuring the initiative is successfully communicated among the workforce.
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Crisis as opportunity A combination of inexperience of difficult times, media hype and a lack of soft skills could make the current situation even more difficult to cope with. Alternatively, the extent of the crisis could provide an opportunity space where new ways of doing things can emerge. Our ability to face reality and be resilient will be key.
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| » Events and workshops | ||||
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Ashridge Open Programmes The SPS and Ashridge have teamed up to offer SPS members some exclusive benefits, the first of which is a 10% discount on any of Ashridge's open strategy programmes. Ashridge has a wide variety of short, residential programmes to help individuals and organisations to achieve their development needs. These programmes focus on blending the practical experience of their faculty with leading-edge business thinking, to inspire and challenge you. In addition, learning in small classes – typically 12–30 participants – promotes collaboration on your own issues and ensures individual support, enabling all participants to return, better able to transfer learning to the workplace. For more details, visit Ashridge. Please quote your SPS membership number when booking. |
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| » Sponsor | ||||
Implementing Strategic Plans: Case Studies from 2GC Since the late 1960s managers and academics have increasingly focused on the need for strategic plans to be effectively implemented – it is no good having a great plan that sits on the shelf! 2GC uses strategic performance management methods to help organisations to implement their strategies and has published ten case studies relating its practical experience in this area. Drawn from a decade of project work carried out with dozens of private, public and NGO sector organisations around the world, the case studies offer clearly-written, candid insights into what works – and what doesn't. Download the case studies for free from the 2GC Website. Help with our Survey 2GC is currently undertaking a survey of UK companies' use of Balanced Scorecard. The survey can be completed online or as a PDF by email. All survey participants will receive a copy of the summary report. 2GC Active Management – Performance Management Experts |
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